03.26.08 - 2008 Track Worlds in Manchester - First day of competition

The first day of competition has ended at the 2008 Track Worlds in Manchester, with world titles awarded in four disciplines. The traditional track powers dominated, with host Great Britain taking a gold and a silver, France a gold and a bronze, and the Netherlands two silver medals and a bronze. Canada had one rider entered in competition today - Martin Gilbert in the Scratch Race. Unfortunately, Gilbert crashed with five laps remaining in the race and did not finish.

The men's Scratch Race saw the Belarussian Aliaksandr Lisouski take a very gutsy victory over the more favoured Wim Stroetinga (Netherlands) and World Cup champion Roger Kluge (Germany). Canada's Martin Gilbert was well placed throughout the race, making sure that he had good position in the front half of the field. However, when it was looking like the race would come down to a sprint finish, just after the field passed five laps to go, he went down in the second corner, sliding onto the apron.

"A guy came down on me, and there was no where to go ... so a guy to my left hit my front wheel, and that was it. That is what makes me really angry, I felt really fresh, in perfect position, prefect legs ... if you get dropped you feel bad, but when you know you can do something good it is ten times worse."

Photos: Rob Jones ©www.canadiancyclist.com