A TRAINING crash may hamper Charlie Gascoyne’s chances of defending his Track Cycling World Masters Championships gold medal in Sydney tomorrow.

The Orange cyclist took out the men’s 40-44 years scratch race last year but injured his back in a training crash a couple of weeks ago while preparing for the 2008 event at Dunc Gray Velodrome this week.

He suffered tissue damage to his lower back in the fall and the injury is still posing a problem ahead of the scratch race tomorrow.

Gascoyne concedes it is difficult to generate significant power when he pedals, although he has vowed to compete at the international event regardless.

“I can’t get power. If you hurt your back you can’t get power out of your quads or glutes,” he said.

“I’m improving day by day but it’s just a matter of if it’s enough.”

Gascoyne will also contest the 20km points race on Sunday and this is where he believes he is likely to perform better, as his back will have had an extra three days to heal.

But it is in the scratch race where he is defending world champion.

However, he feels it will be a monumental task to defend the title, as he knows the rest of the field will be gunning for him.

He is anticipating plenty of attention from the other riders and is adamant he will not get to ride his own race.

“I wont be able to move anywhere having five people on my wheels,” Gascoyne said.

“People think if you’ve won it once that you know what you’re doing.

“I’ll get to the pointy end but it’s just about how pointy. I just have to rely on the chaos theory.”

The Orange rider will have heats for the scratch race this morning ahead of the final this afternoon. The 20km points race will be held on Sunday.

Tuesday saw the start of the Track Cycling World Masters Championships, with the event culminating on Sunday.