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2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships - CM
Spain, March 29-April 1, 2007
Gold for Cuba in Women's scratch race
By Shane Stokes in Palma
Unleashing a lethal burst of speed with just over one lap to go, world cup winner Yumari Gonzalez Valdivieso (Cuba) ripped clear of the main field in the women’s scratch final on Saturday evening, hitting the line well clear of the rest of the field.
The audacious move came at the end of what was a fast, aggressive race, although the final laps were more passive as the riders prepared for what they believed would be a mass gallop for bronze. That slight easing in intensity gave the strong Gonzalez the opportunity she needed for a bold move, netting her the rainbow jersey to go along with that of world cup champion.
Second place went to Maria Luisa Calle Williams (Colombia), who showed great determination to win the gallop for silver after having led the bunch for over a lap inside the final kilometre, just before Gonzalez clipped away.
Rebecca Quinn (United States Of America) was third over the line but any expectations of bronze were dashed when the judges ruled that she had performed an irregular move in the final gallop, entering the sprinter’s lane when another rider was there. Dutch rider Adrie Visser consequently claimed the podium place in question.
The 40 lap race got off to a lively start with many riders trying to get away. Amongst those involved in the early action were Catherine Cheatley (New Zealand), Pascale Schnider (Switzerland) and Iona Wynter (Jamaica), with the latter trying again with a long break after this first move was unsuccessful.
Cheatley had another go after Wynter was brought back. She was clear with 14 laps remaining but was caught and passed by Visser and Schider. The bunch was hot in pursuit, though, bringing everything back together with 11 laps to go.
Very soon afterwards, Calle Williams and Leire Olaberria Dorronsoro (Spain) surged clear, the latter’s foray drawing huge cheers from the home crowd. Olga Slyusareva (Russia) set off in pursuit but they were all reeled in. Frenchwoman Cathy Moncassin Prime then played her hand with six to go but she too was overhauled. It looked likely at that stage that a bunch sprint would decide the gold, but Gonzalez Valdivieso thought otherwise and had the courage, strength and timing to pull it off.
Results
1 Yumari Gonzalez Valdivieso (Cuba) 2 Maria Luisa Calle Williams (Colombia) 3 Adrie Visser (Netherlands) 4 Lada Kozlikova (Czech Republic) 5 Leire Olaberria Dorronsoro (Spain) 6 Annalisa Cucinotta (Italy) 7 Olga Slyusareva (Russian Federation) 8 Katie Curtis (Great Britain) 9 Lesya Kalitovska (Ukraine) 10 Pascale Schnider (Switzerland) 11 Iona Wynter (Jamaica) 12 Belinda Goss (Australia) 13 Jianling Wang (People's Republic of China) 14 Eleftheria Maria Ellinikaki (Greece) 15 Catherine Cheatley (New Zealand) 16 Madeleine Sandig (Germany) 17 Belem Guerrero Mendez (Mexico) 18 Cathy Moncassin Prime (France) 19 Magdalena Sara (Poland) REL Rebecca Quinn (United States Of America)
