Kersten, Kelly Go Toe Clip To Toe Clip
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday June 11, 2008
IT'S a face-off on wheels, with Shane Kelly versus Ben Kersten at a Melbourne velodrome today and with a place on Australia's Olympic team up for grabs.
The pair will ride a 625-metre time trial after a coin toss to decide who goes first. The sprints are expected to take less than 40 seconds and there will be a 15-minute break in between. The fastest finisher will join the still-to-be-finalised Olympic track cycling sprint team of five and the loser will be left with nothing but an option to appeal. Why? Because the pair can't be split, there is a third-wheel position in the team sprint up for grabs, and that's how it's done in track cycling. Like it or lump it. There is no bad guy in this battle - either could be classed as a sentimental favourite. Kersten, 26, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, has twice been an Olympic hard-luck story. Before Athens, in 2004, he was forced to time trial against Sean Eadie and lost, only joining the team when Jobie Dajka was booted off, but not chosen to ride in competition.Kelly, 36, is aiming to be a member of Australia's track cycling team for a record fifth Olympics. He is still chasing gold after mucking up his best shot in Atlanta in 1996 when, as the world record-holder in the 1km time trial event, his foot slipped off the pedal at the start line. He won silver in Barcelona and bronze medals in Sydney and Athens. ? Brussels: Former world champion Tom Boonen has tested positive for cocaine, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Tuesday.The newspaper said that this year's Paris-Roubaix winner tested positive for the drug three days before the Tour of Belgium, on May 25.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald