World Championships of Cycling Start Today

The World Cycling Championships--the first modern-day world championships held in the United States--start today, with about 700 cyclists entered.

The bulk of the competition, which will run through Sept. 7, will be on the 7-Eleven velodrome.

Featured will be Mark Gorski, 1984 American Olympic gold medalist, competing in the match sprint. He will race against defending champion Lutz Hesslich of East Germany.

Qualifying for the amateur match sprint, the amateur individual pursuit and the women’s match sprint will be held today.

Isabelle Nicoloso of France is the rider to beat in the women’s match sprint. She defeated three-time world sprint champion Connie Paraskevin of the United States in last year’s world championships.