Bell wins Challenge Sprint Pro as Canada beats Australia

September 7th, 2012

The Challenge Sprint Pro is a Canadian invention and it could well become a national treasure after two Canadians stole the show on Québec City’s Grande Allée on Thursday, Zach Bell (SpiderTech) winning the event ahead of compatriot Rémi Pelletier-Roy.
The two might not have been the fastest riders in a star-studded field but they were the ones to handle the tricks of the new event best. The final was a Canada against Australia showdown, favourites Matt Goss and Michael Matthews hoping to topple the local favourites.
But the home advantage played fully and World Championship silver-medalist Goss led the way in the final stretch of the one-kilometre course but was unable to respond to the surges by Bell and Pelletier-Roy, who made it a point to score a Canadian one-two. Goss had to be content with third place while Matthews was fourth.
"You had to push it to the whole in front of tough field. To come here in front of such a great crowd in such a fine setting is just brilliant. If Challenge Sprint Pro becomes a regular thing, for me it's obviously a good race," said Zach Bell, 29, who had recently finished 7th in the omnium race at the London Olympic Games.
"After making the semis last year, to be in the final is a mission accomplished for me. I finished second. I am very happy," said Pelletier-Roy.