Nebraska Cycling News

Performance Marks Third Consecutive World Championship Medal

Manchester, Great Britain - The United States Cycling Team claimed its first medal of the 2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships on Thursday as Sarah Hammer (Temecula, Calif.) finished second in the women's individual pursuit.  Her silver-medal performance marked her third consecutive visit to the podium at the world championships after winning back-to-back world titles in 2006 and '07.

As a medalist at this year's world championships, Hammer will earn an automatic nomination to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. 

After earning the second seed with a mark of 3:31.041 in her qualifying round against Rebecca Romero (GBR), the pair later met again in the gold-medal final for the second straight year. In the final, Hammer recorded a 3:37.006 while Romero clocked a track record 3:30.501 to earn the world title.

"The biggest thing for me was making the Olympic Team," commented Hammer of her medal-winning performance.  "That is a big honor in itself."

After winning three consecutive bronze medals on the UCI Track World Cup circuit this season, Hammer's silver medal at the world championships illustrates her recovery from a lingering back injury that has hampered her training and racing over the last eight months.

"It's easy to get caught up in winning the final ride," Hammer continued, "but more importantly I feel like myself again.  Now it's just a matter of getting it dialed in before August.  I dreamt of just being in the top four today, so it's great motivation for me right now to win the silver."

With the Olympic Games less than five months away, a handful of athletes have emerged as medal contenders in the pursuit.  In addition to Hammer and Romero, Thursday's bronze medalist Katie Mactier (AUS) and fourth-place finisher Wendy Hovenhagel (GBR) also stand a likely chance to compete for medals in Beijing.

Also on Thursday, three Americans competed in the men's sprint - Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif.), Adam Duvendeck (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.).  With a top-24 finish needed in the 200-meter qualifying round to advance to the first round, only Blatchford made the cut.  His mark - a personal best of 10.313 - earned him an opening round head-to-head match against Mickael Bourgain (FRA).  In the single-elimination contest, the third-seeded Bourgain took the win to eliminate Blatchford.

Nursing a back injury, Duvendeck clocked a 10.419 to place 30th in the qualifying round and did not advance.  Massie recorded a 10.475 to place 34th.  Although no U.S. competitors remain, the men's sprint competition will continue Friday.

Friday's competition will feature a pair of Americans with medal potential as Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) will compete in the women's sprint and Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.) will line up for the men's points race.    

Cycling fans can watch the action live online at www.WCSN.com.

2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships

Manchester, Great Britain

March 26-30

Day Two Results:

Women's Individual Pursuit
1. Rebecca Romero (GBR) 3:30.501
2. Sarah Hammer (Temecula, Calif.) 3:37.006
3. Katie Mactier (AUS) 3:32.347

Men's Sprint
1. TBD
2. TBD
3. TBD

22. Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif.) 10.313

30. Adam Duvendeck (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 10.419

34. Giddeon Massie (Zionhill, Pa.) 10.475

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, visit www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.