(Milton) Kelsey Mitchell will be in the individual sprint semi-finals at the Milton Cycling Nations Cup, but Lauriane Genest’s run came to an end in the quarter-finals.
Opposed to Nicky Degrendele, Genest decided not to push hard at this stage of the race, preferring to concentrate on Sunday’s keirin.
In the first race, Genest remained marauding from Degrendele. When the latter opened the machine on the penultimate lap, Genest did not push the machine more than necessary to close the gap separating her from her opponent.
The Quebecer decided to play the leader in the second set, trying to keep the Belgian at a safe distance. Degrendele launched his attack quickly on the second lap, however, quickly passing Genest with still a lap and a quarter to go. Genest consciously decided not to open the machine in the final stretch.
Mitchell meanwhile didn’t have it easy against Britain’s Kelly Marchant, although she scored two straight wins in this best-of-three round.
The Albertan led from start to finish in the first run, but trailed Marchant by only half a bike. In race two, Marchant launched an attack at the start of the final lap, but Mitchell’s power saw him close the gap and win by half a wheel.
Mitchell will face Degrendele in the semifinals. Colombian Martha Bayona Pineda and Mexican Luz Daniela Gaxiola Gonzalez complete the four aces.
The two Canadians had been able to avoid the round of 16 stage by qualifying in the top 4 at the start of the day, Genest setting the reference time and Mitchell setting the fourth fastest time. Both Genest and Mitchell had it relatively easy in their round of 16.
Genest and Mitchell, along with Sarah Orban, helped Canada win a silver medal in the team sprint on Friday night.
It’s been a busy day at the Mattamy National Cycling Center in Milton. The men’s omnium qualifications followed those of the women’s sprint. Canadian Michael Foley, however, missed his qualification, finishing 13th in the first wave, while the first 12 positions gave access to the final.
The men’s keirin is also on the program. Ryan Dodyk, James Hedgcock and Nick Wammes were the three Canadians in contention. All three had to go through the repechage and of the lot, only Hedgcock will be semi-finals in the evening.
Finally, the female Madison will conclude the evening. However, Canada does not have a representative in this event, as its athletes did not meet the selection criteria.
