Katie Archibald’s bid for Omnium success was ruined by a nasty crash early on in the final points race, with the World Champion leading the way at the time.
The Scot looked on fantastic form, having won two of the previous three events in the Omnium contest, being played out on the penultimate day of action at the Glasgow leg of the UCI Track Nations Cup, but a touch of wheels with Georgia Baker just after 20 laps caused the crash that ruined the crowds’ hopes for home success.
The Scot had been leading by three points before the incident, which caused a brief race neutralisation; Archibald, the Olympic Madison and World Omnium Champion, was unable to continue after her fall on Lap 21 of 80 in the event, but was thankfully able to walk away from the incident after spending a few minutes on the ground.
After a disappointing scratch race which saw the Milngavie star finish down in 11th place, with France’s Clara Copponi taking the victory, Archibald showed why she’s the world’s best with an absolutely brilliant win in the tempo race.
The Scot had won a couple of sprints before attacking hallway through the 30 lap race, in which riders receive a point for crossing the line first each lap – or 20 for taking a lap on the field. The solo attack, which was later joined by New Zealander Ally Wollaston, ignited the Glasgow crowd. In the final laps, the world champion bridged the gap to the bunch much to the satisfaction of a packed home crowd, as she won the tempo race with 28 points, 20 of which coming from the lap gain.
The best, however, of Katie Archibald came in the Elimination Race. Archibald rode a testing race at times, nearly being caught out halfway through the devil, but managed her effort superbly. Her race management in the final ten eliminations, was nothing short of brilliant, never looking in trouble, as she set up a two-up sprint with Kajihara of Japan.
Coming from behind, Archibald was able to power her way past and out of sight of the Japanese rider to send an already loud crowd into rapture.
Unfortunately it wasn’t the ending, she nor the crowd had hoped for, but there is no doubting she’ll be back and with a point to prove.
Tokyo hero Jack Carlin was given a tough draw in the first round of the Kierin against World Champion and heavy favourite Harrie Laverysen, the Scot only narrowly missing out, meaning he had to take part in the repechage at the end of the afternoon session.
With only the winner going through in this brutal format, it was make or break for the former Johnstone Jets riders. A very tight race ensued, with Scotland’s Carlin up against veteran Nicholas Paul, who crashed in the previous round, and Rayan Helal of France. It was almost too close to call but Helal just edged out the fast finishing Scotsman. It meant Carlin narrowly missed out on the evening’s final.
The afternoon’s action kicked off with the Women’s Individual Pursuit, as Kate Richardson, in just her fifth-ever track race, took to the start line of her home track. The Glasgow University student, making her debut for the Great Britain squad, equalled her personal best with a time of 3:33.508.
While narrowly out with the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard, the time was good enough for 11th place, a fantastic ride in her maiden UCI competition. It’s fair to say that we will be seeing 19-year-old Richardson representing Scotland in many more events in the coming months and years.
On her first foray for Great Britain and debut at a UCI level event Richardson said:
“I really enjoyed that experience. Having only done my first individual pursuit in January, I never thought I would be riding a competition of this level, and to do it in front of a home crowd as well – it’s just the icing on the cake.”
Richardson’s progression in recent months has been nothing short of meteoric, however on the subject Richardson was very considered, telling Scottish Cycling:
“I would have never expected to ride for Great Britain so soon, with me being so new to track racing. It’s a huge honour to represent GBCT - I think it’s something any athlete strives for, so I never would have expected to do it at senior level at 19i- t’s amazing and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
The racing continues tomorrow with tickets available here.
Full results are available here.
