Hammer sets U.S. pursuit record

Two-time world champion Sarah Hammer set a new U.S. record in the individual pursuit Friday, clocking a 3:27.5 in qualifying rounds at the World Cup track event in Cali, Colombia.

Hammer’s time not only established a new national record, but also represents the third fastest 3000-meter pursuit ever ridden, trailing only higher marks established at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Hammer defeated Canada’s Tara Whitten in the gold-medal round. Whitten, however, got her revenge in the team pursuit, when she, Stephanie Roorda and Laura Brown teamed up to beat the U.S. team in that gold medal final.

Hammer joined forces with Dotsie Bausch (Jazz Apple-Champion Systems) and Lauren Tamayo (TIBCO) to take silver. In qualifying, the American trio bested their previous national record of 3:31 by three seconds. Then in the final, they broke their record again, clocking a 3:28.4. The Canadians, however, turned in a 3:27.289.

Lithuania defeated Cuba for the bronze medal.