Temecula cyclist wins gold medal in World Championships

TEMECULA - Sarah Hammer of Temecula won the gold medal in women's individual pursuit at the 2013 UCI Track World Championships today in Minsk, Belarus, her fifth world title in the event.

Hammer posted the fastest time in the morning qualifying round. Her finals time of three minutes, 32.050 seconds was more than eight seconds faster than her opponent, Amy Cure of Australia.

In individual pursuit, the two cyclists start at opposite sides of the track in the 3,000-meter race and attempt to catch the opposing cyclist or record the fastest time.

"Cure put up a good fight, jumping out to a lead of...