I'd have thought they would have come from SouCal, which has the best indoor facility in North America. But a track definitely helps people become better bike racers overall. I don't consider anyone to be a "compleat bike racer" unless they've got significant track racing experience. I've always liked Roger Young's take on track racing: you go to a road race, and if you're strong enough, you get to practice one finish. You go to a track race, and you get to practice at least three finishes. Later in the season, when it really counts, you've got a 6-rider breakaway approaching a flat finish. One of the riders in the break is a trackie. Who do you put your money on?

The indoor 200-meter track in Vancouver (Burnaby, about 10 minutes from my house) has definitely helped Canada, especially the women. But there's also a 138-meter indoor track in London, ON. And I'm not sure whether or not the board track in Dieppe, NB is covered. And I'm not sure if there's any more or better riders coming out of those areas yet. But it takes many years to develop the system and the riders, and to get past ingrained attitudes and traditional approaches. I think the Brits have done a remarkable job of this, but I think it started with the Manchester track in the early 90's.

Luis