07.14.08 - Ryan Aitcheson reaches points race final at world junior cycling championships

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Ryan Aitcheson of Kitchener, Ont., qualified for the men’s point race final and finished 20th on Monday at the world junior cycling championships.

Tosh Van Der Sande of Belgium won the 25 kilometre race with Cristobal Olavarria of Chile second and Luke Durbridge of Australia third.

Aitcheson, 17, is making his world juniors debut this week. On Saturday he placed 21st in the individual pursuit. He only started track cycling last August when a friend recommended that he give it a try. Less than a year later he is one of 11 cyclists on the Canadian world junior team.

‘’It’s been a great experience,’’ said Aitcheson. ‘’I never faced this level of racing before. It’s certainly going to help me. Today, my goal was to get in the final and I felt I had a shot for a top-15.’’

In qualifying, which was 15 kilometres, Aitcheson was 11th in his heat earning his points in the second to last sprint to gain the berth in the final.

‘’I was able to hang on to someone’s wheel and get the couple of points I needed,’’ said Aitcheson.

Competition continues Tuesday.