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Pedal to the medal

Ballanger, Queally win time trials

Great Britain's Jason Queally celebrates after winning the gold medal in Saturday's 1km time trial. AFP/Patrick Kovarik

SYDNEY, Australia (CNNSI.com) -- Felicia Ballanger of France won the 500-meter women's time trial Saturday.

The world champion finished in 34.140 seconds. Michelle Ferris of Australia got the silver medal in 34.696 and Jiang Cuihua of China the bronze at 34.768.

Chris Witty, who won two speedskating medals for the United States in Nagano two years ago and was trying to become only the fourth athlete to win Summer and Winter medals, was fifth.

In the men's kilometer time trial, Jason Queally of Britain won gold with an Olympic record of 1:01.609. Stefan Nimke of Germany got the silver in 1:02.487 and Australian Shane Kelly won bronze in 1:02.818.

World champion Roberto Bartko of Germany set an Olympic record of 4:18.972 in preliminary competition of the men's 4,000 meter individual pursuit.

The early times in the women's 500 were daunting for Ballanger, 29, who was named after famed French cyclist Felice Gimondi and last year became the first woman to claim five straight world titles in the sprint.

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"Yes, it's true, I was worried about the times," she said. "It was no surprise to see the time from Michelle, which was really good, but I was feeling calm in the end."

Cheered on by a boisterous crowd, Atlanta silver medalist Ferris posted a personal best that wasn't quite good enough. At least her coach, Charlie Walsh, won't have to make good on a bet to dye his hair if she won gold.

Witty won't leave discouraged after also posting her best-ever time in 35.230 seconds.

"I'm happy with it," she said, wearing a broad smile. "It's a personal best at the Olympics and you can't ask for anything more than that."

Witty plans to refocus on speedskating early next month, with an eye on the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. First, she has 10 days to enjoy the sights of Sydney.

"I brought my inline skates with me, so I'll probably cruise around the Olympic Village," she said.

After her success on the bike, she wouldn't rule out a return to cycling after the 2002 Winter Olympics.

"It's a possibility. We'll see," Witty said. "I'd like to give cycling another try after Salt Lake."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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