World Track Championships 2008

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Rebecca Romero (GBR) became World Pursuit Champion after just two years in the sport of cycling. Romero won on her home track in a time of 3 minutes 30.501seconds. Romero,  a World Champion in rowing previously before coming to cycling, never looked like she was going to loose. She was first at every time check and almost caught Sarah Hammer (USA) towards the end of the ride.

Sarah Hammer, who is still recovering from a torn L4 disc, never looked like she was in the race falling almost 4.5 seconds behind Romero. Hammer fell behind at every time check but maintained momentum and held on to the line.

In the ride for Bronze Katie Mactier (AUS) rode off against Wendy Houvenaghel (GBR) in a repeat of the 2007 bronze ride. The Australian like Romero was in first place on time from the gun and Houvenaghel could not match her speed.

Rebecca Romero (GBR) was absolutely overjoyed at winner her first ever cycling World Champion jersey. “After last year’s performance with only 6 months in the sport I could never have believed that I would be World Champion this year” said Romero. “I new I could get better and improve on my technique, but this, it’s incredible. The last few months have all been about preparing for these Championships. I can’t describe how I feel right now. I was a World Champion in team rowing but this is an individual sport and it was all about me and what I need to do. It is almost two years to the day since I came here to the Manchester track and got on a bike. I know there is still so much to learn. I can’t take anything for granted and I know that I will be going into Beijing as the favourite but I will not be complacent. I went one step further today” added Romero.

Sarah Hammer (USA) finished with a silver medal but she was not too disappointed. “It is never too good to be hurting in a pursuit like that. I wanted to call it after 1km. I said to myself catch me to get this over with. I knew that unless she was dragging an anchor around I was not going to win. It is never fun to loose in a final but I have a Silver medal and to be honest I am happy with that. I was so excited to have qualified this morning. My goal was to be in the finals and to make the Gold medal ride, I have to be very happy with that” said Hammer. “Everyone is so close now it is going to be so exciting this year” she added.

Katie Mactier (AUS) was disappointed not to be in the Gold Medal ride but was very happy to have won the Bronze medal. “I am very happy that I won the Bronze and happy that I backed up another good ride after qualifying in a fast time. I think it is reflective of where we want to be at this time of the year. Particularly given it is only 4 months away from the Olympics. I am obviously frustrated at not being in the Gold/Silver ride off as I feel that is where I belong. I don’t want to sound arrogant but I don’t call myself knew to this any more, I am fairly seasoned at this, I have done a lot of campaigns and I only lost out by a small margin so I have to be happy, bring on the Olympics” said Mactier.

Wendy Houvenaghel (GBR) was gracious in defeat. “It was a reply of the last World Championships. I have had a great time and more important for me I have secure my spot for the Olympic” said Houvenaghel.

Qualifying

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