Wiggins retains pursuit title at worlds

MANCHESTER, England -- Bradley Wiggins retained his world pursuit title on a day which saw his British teammate Rob Hayles excluded from the championships after "anomalies" were found in his blood test.

Wiggins, the Olympic champion in the 4,000 meters event, proved too strong for surprise Dutch finalist Jenning Huizenga to win in a time of four minutes 18.519 seconds.

Huizenga had pipped Wiggins in the qualifying round, but in the final tired after a fast start.

Hayles, a former world champion, was pulled out before the qualifying round while Dutch rider Pim Ligthart also had to withdraw for the same reason.

Ligthart was expected to compete in the men's points race after winning the last World Cup race of the season last month.

High haematocrit levels can be an indicator of use of the blood booster EPO. Riders who fail the tests are automatically given a two-week suspension by the International Cycling Union (UCI) on health grounds.

It was a bittter blow for Hayles who protested his innocence of doping:

"I am disappointed and frustrated to have to wait for further tests over the next two weeks before I can compete again. I accept the process is in place for good reason and I agree with it," he told the Press Association.

"I also accept that I must follow protocol. These anomalies have happened to others across the world, and after two weeks they have been resolved. So I just have to wait for two weeks."

Dr. Tjeerd Devries, the Dutch team doctor, told The Associated Press that for the past week, Ligthart had been suffering from gastroenteritis and was taking medication, including paracetamol.

Devries said there had been a "discrepancy," which was not "too high" in just one of at least four tests.

The British team said it was working with the UCI "to resolve this matter."

"Considering the thousands of tests performed on our large squad by now, it is not unusual to get one or two such anomalies," British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford said.

Wiggins' superb victory provided some home cheer at the end of the opening day and establishes him as a clear favorite to retain his Olympic crown in Beijing.

Lisandra Guerra of Cuba took the first gold medal of the championships, winning the women's 500-meter time-trial in 34.021 seconds.

Later, the French team of Gregory Bauge, Kevin Sireau and Arnaud Tournant set a world record of 43.271 seconds while winning the men's team sprint. The French team broke the record of 43.514 they had set in the qualifying heats earlier in the day.

Britain finished second and the Netherlands beat Germany for the bronze medal. It was Tournant's 13th world championship gold medal. French riders have taken gold in the team sprint in nine of the past 12 years. E-mail to a friend

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