Canadian track cycling team resumes Olympic qualification
Hugo Barrette, back from severe crash, will play vital role
Olympic qualification points are on the line as Canada's track cyclists compete this weekend at a World Cup event at the Avantidrome in Cambridge, New Zealand.
This is the second of three World Cups this season. Points can be gathered at all three stops, as well as the world championships in March.
In New Zealand, Canada will be looking to improve its ranking in the women's team pursuit, the team sprints, the keirin and individual sprint events.
Since the women's pursuit team won the season-opening race in Cali, Colombia, it will get to wear the all-white skinsuits indicating the World Cup leaders.
Team captain Jasmin Glaesser said the white jersey gives the team confidence.
"While winning the jersey isn't a priority for us this season, it's a sign that we are on track to hit our targets at the world championships next March and, of course, Rio in the summer," she said. "It will give us the confidence to attack every race and to change our mentality from trying to be one of the best, to trying to be the best. Period."
Hugo Barrette, 24, will be returning to action in New Zealand after a severe crash in late October at a training session in Colombia. The Canadian sprint specialist collided with a safety wall and suffered two broken lumbar vertebrae, a broken nose, split lip, concussion, neck dislocation and severe contusions throughout his entire body.
"After two weeks of lying in a hospital bed in Cali I started training at very low intensity, remaining careful and vigilant," said the Pan American Games gold medallist. "But I soon realized that I was recovering quickly from the accident. Then just a week later I was back on the track."
"Yes, I just crashed severely, but if I'm on the starting line, it will mean that I feel ready to return to battle. So my expectations are to perform at a high level in New Zealand.
Barrette will be racing in all three sprint events and his role could prove vital in ensuring Olympic qualifications for Canada in the team sprint.
He will be joined by St. Catharines, Ont. native Joseph Veloce and Victoria's Evan Carey. Joel Archambault will be there as well as an alternate if Barrette is not able to compete.