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World Track Championships - CMMelbourne, Australia, May 26-30, 2004Tales from the trackNews and gossip from day 1 of the Melbourne World Track ChampionshipsBy Karen Forman in Melbourne Melbourne abuzz with World Championship spiritThe cosmopolitan Australian city of Melbourne was abuzz with excitement today as the 2004 World Track Championships opened at Vodafone Arena. While the world's best cyclists and a large international media contingent gathered inside, spectators filled the arena for the (unscheduled) first and second sessions of the event, which continues with two sessions a day until the grand finale on Sunday, aware they were witnessing the same line-up of talent as will grace their TV screens in August when the Athens Olympics kicks off. The Melbourne World's are an extremely important lead up to the Games - presenting countries with their final chance to gain crucial berths for their athletes. All the countries have sent their greatest riders. And, while most are still in the build-up to peak fitness, they are all supremely fit athletes in their prime. Today two finals were decided - the men's team sprint and the men's points races. Both went to the French, giving it a head start as the leading nation so far. The action hots up tomorrow with keirin, individual pursuit and kilo time trials. For bike racing fans unable to get to Athens, the Melbourne World Championships are possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the best in the world at their prime. More Day 1 News from the Melbourne World Track ChampionshipsBy Karen Forman in Melbourne
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