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2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships - Report - Day 1

23-27 March 2011, Omnisport, Apeldoorn, Netherlands |

MEN'S TEAM SPRINT

Video Interviews: Matt Crampton | Sir Chris Hoy
The French trio of Bauge, D'Almeida and Sireau took the world title in the Men's Team Sprint in a blistering 43.867, beating the German squad of Stefan Nimke, Rene Enders and Maximillian Levy. The French outfit was smooth throughout, despite strong pressure in the opening two laps. In the bronze medal final, Great Britain's Chris Hoy, Matt Crampton and Jason Kenny made up for missing out on the gold ride-off by hundredths of a second by posting a fine 44.235 to take the bronze medal. Results

MEN'S SCRATCH 15KM

Ho Ting Kwok of Hong Kong was the surprise winner of the World Scratch title after a solo breakway with eight laps to go. All eyes were on marked man Cameron Meyer in a race which was played out at a blistering pace, fragmented and frenetic from the gun. Meyer had a dig and showed his potential with around ten laps to go, going clear and testing the legs of his rivals, as GB's valiant Sam Harrison, who'd stepped in earlier in the Team Pursuit, left the race, no doubt still feeling the effects of his efforts just a few hours earlier. Then Kwok launched his surprise attack, with little initial response, the pack only sensing danger when the Hong Kong rider was still well clear with just a handful of laps to go. Italian Viviani broke free and tried to catch, but it was too little, too late, with Kwok claiming a popular victory. Results

WOMEN'S POINTS 25KM

Belarus rider Tatsiana Sharakova took the Women's Points race world title in an intriguing competition dominated yet not won by a long breakaway. Sharakova's victory was based on an audacious solo lap gain mid race, after Czech rider Machacova had stayed away in a breakaway trio for much of the opening throes, amassing 20 points. However, Machacova and her fellow breakaway riders were absorbed into the pack at which point Sharakova launched her counterattack, taking first sprint points and then a lap, jumping to the top of the table. From here on in Machacova could play little part in the action and found Marianne Vos and Italian Bronzini snapping at her heels for the final medal position. When the final sprint came, Sharakova and Machacova were both secure on the top two podium positions, with Bronzini besting her points rivals in the final sprint to take the bronze medal. Results

MEN'S TEAM PURSUIT

Winners' post-race interview (BBC) | Watch GB ride to bronze (BBC) | GB Team Pursuit Interview (BBC)
Australia took gold in the team pursuit with a storming 3:57.832 ride, beating the Russian quartet in the gold medal final. The Australians started strongly but were troubled by the Russians mid race, clawing back the early deficit. However, by 3000m the cracks began to show and the Russian challenge collapsed. With both squads losing a man in the final quarter of the race it was Australia who continued to press home the advantage and claim the title. Great Britain were victors in the bronze medal ride off against New Zealand, who never really troubled the GB squad. GB had drafted in Sam Harrison for the final, to replace Ed Clancy, who had succumbed to illness earlier in the day. Results

WOMEN'S 500M TIME TRIAL

The first gold medal of the 2011 championships went to Belarus rider Olga Panarina, whose ragged looking exercise in raw power resulted in a 33.896, edging out the smooth French rider Sandie Clair who looked odds-on for the title. Great Britain's Becky James produced a personal best of 35.035, good enough for seventh place. Results