Location: Manchester Velodrome, Manchester
Event: 6-12 October 2013
Report: Larry Hickmott
There was a day of time trials for the sprinters and pursuits for the endurance riders on day one of the UCI World Track Cycling Masters Championships at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.
The day began with qualifying for the pursuit championships, with finals for the time trials and pursuits following that as the first world championships for men and women were decided.
British riders took their fair share of the rainbow jerseys but the USA and Australia were also on the top step as were a rider from Latvia and another from New Zealand with Japanese riders also challenging for the medals.
Men’s pursuit 75+
Britain's Brian Dacey won the gold medal in the 2000 metre pursuit beating Gordon Johnston in an all British series.
Dacey was also the fastest of the five British qualifiers but winning the title was no easy task as Johnston was less than half a second slower over the distance. The bronze medal match was a more decisive affair with John King being caught by David Sankey.
Men’s pursuit 70-74
With the results of the final matching the positions of each rider in qualifying, it was Leo Menstrina of the USA who won yet another rainbow jersey after beating fellow American Michael Williams in the final by four seconds in the 2000 metre race off. In the bronze medal ride, Britain's Peter Robertson won the bronze from Roger Langlois of France.
Men’s pursuit 65-69
There was a Gold medal for New Zealand's Colin Claxton when he put two seconds into Graham Truelove in the final for the rainbow jersey. The bronze medal went to David Rutherford to make two Brits on the podium after he destroyed the medal hopes of the USA's Jack Kelso.
Men’s pursuit 60-64
Not for the first time, the North East's (England) Steve Davies stood on the top step of the podium at a World Masters after he caused an upset by beating fastest qualifier David Gomer of Australia in the final for the Gold.
There was less than a second in the nail-biting final but Steve's experience saw him through the middle part of the pursuit to lead the race to the line showing true grit. The Bronze medal went to third fastest qualifier Patrick Gellineau of the USA who defeated fellow countryman David Mulica.
Women’s time trial 35-39
There was an Aussie 1-2 in this race with Jessica Laws recording a faster time for the 500 metres than her compatriot Rebecca Wheadon with Carolien van Herrikhuyzen of the Netherlands in third.
Women’s time trial 40-44
Alison Chisholm was wearing a rainbow jersey after racing to the fastest time in this 500 metre effort against the watch with New Zealand's Erin Criglington second and Canadian Ann-Brit Ericksen third.
Women’s time trial 45-49
Gea Johnson of the USA prevented Britian's Janet Birkmyre adding another rainbow jersey to her extensive collection when the rider from the USA was just under a second faster over the 500 metres with Birkmyre another second plus faster than Buffie Whestewald of the USA.
Women’s time trial 50-54
Tara Unversagt of the USA continued that country's great run in the Championships with a very narrow win over Japan's Emi Wachi with another Japanese rider Makiko Hamada in third.
Women’s time trial 55+
There was a British 1-2 in this event as Glynis Francis beat Susan Smith by less than a second over 500 metres with Bonnie Woodbury of the USA in third.
Men’s time trial 50-54
A very familiar face on the top step of the podium, Aussie Geoff Stoker took the Gold medal in this race against the watch over 500 metres defeating Adrian Dent by the narrowest of margins with Wil Zegers (USA) not far away in third after a quality final.
Men’s time trial 55-59
Dave Le Grys won yet another title to add to a huge collection of rainbow jerseys. The Essex rider was the only one under 35 seconds beating old adversary Steve Cronshaw with Richard Voss of the USA in third. There were no less than four USA riders in the top eight.
Men’s time trial 35-39
Bruce Croall recorded a sensational time that is a world’s best for the age category at the world masters championships in winning the rainbow jersey in this kilometre long race against the watch.
Whilst the time fell short of the time he was aiming for to meet the time required by Scotland for the Commonwealth Games qualification, it was still four seconds plus faster than his nearest rival, Ben Elliott also from Britain. Dario Zampieri of Italy was third, one of three riders recording a 1.07 for the thousand metres.
Men’s time trial 40-44
Ainars Kiksis of Latvia defeated Neil Potter of Britain in the race over 750 metres. Allen Vugrinicic of the USA was the bronze medallist making it a real international podium.
Men’s time trial 45-49
Record holder in this category Chris Murray of Australia showed he was still on another level to his rivals beating Philip Houlton by just under two seconds with Brian Abers of the USA in third.
