UCI 2006 World Track Championships

Men's Individual Pursuit

April 14, 2006; Bordeaux (France) 

British Cycling's Larry Hickmott reports

2006 World Track Championships

Day 2: UCI World Track Championships

 

 

Ian Stannard and performance director, Dave Brailsford talk before his ride this morning in the team pit.

 

Lining up for Great Britain in this event was Commonwealth Games champion Paul Manning and World Junior Team Pursuit silver medallist Ian Stannard, who was the first to ride.

 

The Milton Keynes rider recorded a personal best with a 4.35.422 for his first Senior World Track Championship debut. Later, Paul Manning was on the track rode a time of 4.24.198, going to the top of the leader board but clearly unhappy with the ride.

Riders then came and went and with them the odd surprise like former World Champion Sergio Escobar who failed to make his mark and UCI World Cup Champion Jens Mouris who did, just edging out Paul Manning of the Gold Silver rider off.

 

Paul had though done enough to get through to the ride off for Bronze and was soon on his way back to the hotel to have lunch and rest up for the race off in the evening.

 

 

Dutchman Jens Mouris who snatched a place in the Gold/Silver final from Paul Manning the narrowest of margins.

 

 

Back at the hotel, I caught up with Ian (pictured above during his ride this morning) who was rooming with Paul and started by asking did he feel at home at the Worlds after having now done the Junior Worlds and Commonwealth Games? "Its pretty much the same as the Junior Worlds. I haven't noticed any more pressure although its said this one is a bit more laid back. Having been around the guys for a bit, I have got used to the routine."

He says his ride went okay although he had yet to discuss it with his coach Simon Jones. "I got everything out which was the main thing. I just went out and rode my own race and wasn't too worried about what anyone else was doing. I just tried to stay on the schedule."

He then went to add that he has learnt loads being with the team and wouldn't mind doing more next winter or for the Europeans. Asked what things about being at the Worlds stand out, he says it's the resting. "That's the biggest surprise for me as I find it hard to rest because I like to be active. Sitting on your bed all day makes it actually feel good when you can get out on your bike. I think the rest helps to focus you more and think things through better."

Ian is now focused on the Italian job where he joins his Olympic Academy riders in a house in Italy where they will be doing a number of major races. "I can't wait" he says which having known how he likes his road racing, is not surprising and the team have high hopes for the rider who not so long ago was riding for youth team, Team Keyne.

 

Defending World Champion Robert Bartko.

The Finals
With a performance worthy of the Gold medal, Paul Manning won the bronze medal in the evening session with a 4.20.902, in the process catching his rival Fabien Sanchez of France which certainly helped the stadium fall quiet as the cheering for the Frenchman turned to stunned silence as Manning rode an awesome race. Afterwards I spoke to him and he said of the ride "I got it right this time and did a pretty pleasing time but it should have been in the second ride (for Gold). I haven't done any individual training here and maybe that's been a mistake."

"I wanted to go out there this evening and get it right and go as quick as we could. I just wanted to come off the track and be happy with my ride just as I did at the Commonwealth Games. It shows how crucial getting that first ride right is and a tenth made all the difference."

"I went into the ride quite relaxed and was determined to enjoy it. I was amazed how quiet the crowd was as well! Considering how noisy they were early on, I knew I was up because it went so quiet". Asked if he will target the event more having shown many times he is capable of winning medals, he replied "I think it will always be team. I have done the Team Pursuit for too long focus on anything else and if I can go well in this on the back of that, so be it."

In the other final, Robert Bartko made sure of his second title in two years beating Dutchman Jens Mouris.

 

Gold/Silver
1. Robert Bartko (Germany)                  4.23.473 (54.654 km/h)
2. Jens Mouris (Netherlands)                4.24.480

 

Bronze medal
3. Paul Manning (Great Britain)             4.20.902 (55.193 km/h)
4. Fabien Sanchez (France)                  4.29.014

 

 

Simon Jones talks through the final of the pursuit with Paul.

 

 

Paul with a Bronze that with a little luck, may well have been Gold.

 

Results; Qualifying
1. Robert Bartko (Germany) 4.23.115 (54.728 km/h)
2. Jens Mouris (Netherlands) 4.24.045
3. Paul Manning (Great Britain) 4.24.198
4. Fabien Sanchez (France) 4.24.780
5. Mark Jamieson (Australia) 4.25.324
6. Volodymyr Dyudya (Ukraine) 4.26.076
7. Alexander Serov (Russia) 4.26.489
8. Damien Monier (France) 4.27.042
9. Vasily Khatuntsev (Russia) 4.28.106
10. Sergio Escobar Roure (Spain) 4.29.596
11. Dominique Cornu (Belgium) 4.31.098
12. Jason Allen (New Zealand) 4.31.854
13. Jorge Soto (Uruguay) 4.32.283
14. Zach Bell (Canada) 4.32.369
15. Levi Heimans (Netherlands) 4.32.396
16. Michael Friedman (USA) 4.34.424
17. Antonio Tauler Llul (Spain) 4.34.809
18. Vitaliy Shchedov (Ukraine) 4.35.061
19. Ondrej Sosenka (Czech Republic) 4.35.410
20. Ian Stannard (Great Britain) 4.35.422
21. Karl-Christian K? (Germany) 4.38.106