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2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships - Report - Day 3

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

MEN'S SPRINT

Video: Hoy's post-race interview
Gregory Bauge claimed his third Sprint world title in an awesome display of speed and tactical awareness, beating a Jason Kenny 2-0 in the thrilling climax of two days of battle. Bauge's journey to the final first saw the towering Frenchman extinguish the challenge of his teammate Mickael Bourgain, who was the form man in the 200m qualification, before meeting Jason Kenny - the latter also in the form of his life.

Kenny had already pulled a jaw dropping performance out of the bag, defeating his teammate and mentor Chris Hoy in a straight 2-0 semi final. Kenny won both matches from behind, using his incredible acceleration to get around the awesome Scot. Watch the video (BBC)

What seemed like moments after beating Hoy, Kenny was back on track to face Bauge in the final for the first time and, despite not putting a foot wrong, couldn't live with Bauge's straight line speed - Bauge laying down rubber in the final 200 to produce a 10.2 on the black line. Race two followed a similar pattern, Kenny gave it everything tactically and physically, but just couldn't come over Bauge's shoulder off the final bend. The world title went to an ecstatic Bauge who lapped up the standing ovation from an appreciative crowd. Watch the video (BBC)

Having been defeated by his teammate, Hoy was in the unusual position of contesting a bronze medal final, and had the ultra quick Bourgain as his opponent. Race one went to Bourgain, leaving Hoy in a must win situation - and right on cue, Hoy dug deep and delivered, producing two stunning rides - the first from the front, hanging on for a photo finish and the second from behind, overpowering Bourgain and claiming the bronze medal. Results

WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT

Sarah Hammer of the USA took her fourth world pursuit title in a thrilling gold final with a theatrical finish. Her opponent, Alison Shanks of New Zealand started strong and was up after the first kilometre. Shanks continued to build and at 2km the Kiwi was 0.75 of a second ahead and looking good for gold. However, no-one was ready for what Hammer had in store - a final two laps ridden like the end of a bunch race - the American practically sprinting the last 500 metres and nullifying Shanks earlier advantage in the most devastating way imaginable. An awesome ride.

Moments before, Serekaite had an easy win against Kiwi Jaime Nielsen, gaining an astonishing 2 seconds in the opening few laps and holding her advantage until the end. Results

MEN'S OMNIUM

Zachary Bell of Canada opened proceedings in the Men's Omnium by posting the quickest time in the Flying Lap - 13.320. Frenchman Bryan Coquard slotted in behind Bell, just a few hundredths off the pace which Czech Kankovsky just a whisker behind. GB's Sam Harrison, drafted in to replace the ill Ed Clancy, posted a very respectable 13.612, good enough for sixth place - a solid start for the young Welsh rider.

After the flying lap opener came the points, which was won by Colombian Arango Carjaval in a nailbiter that went right down to the final sprint. The Colombian rider emerged as a race winning candidate after gaining a lap and taking 5 points early in the race, one of seven riders to make a lap gain during the event. Among the seven, Luis Mansilla of Chile and Teruel Rovira of Spain where scoring consistently and looked to be odds-on winners. However, two further top placings in sprints 9 and 11 were enough to put the Colombian just one point ahead at the end, with Mansilla snapping at his heels.

Bryan Coquard of France took top honours in the next event, the Elimination, contesting the final sprint with Viviani of Italy. Sam Harrison managed to evade the clutches of the devil long enough to bag 7th position.

After three events Frenchman Coquard leads from Viviani of Italy, with Freiberg of Australia in bronze medal position. GB's Sam Harrison lies in 12th. Results

WOMEN'S SPRINT

Victoria Pendleton progressed to the Semi Final stage of the Women's sprint, beating her quarter final opponent Shulika of Ukraine 2-0. In the previous round Pendleton was drawn against her teammate Becky James in a cruel twist of fate. Jess Varnish got a rough draw in the 1/8 final too, facing Anna Meares of Australia, who also progressed to the Semis beating Germany's Christina Vogel 2-0. Joining Meares and Pendleton in the semis are Simona Krupeckaite and Olga Panarina. Krupeckaite needed three races to dispatch Guo of China, while Panarina beat her opponent Sandie Clair 2-0.

Jess Varnish and Becky James were unable to progress through the repechages - their opponents both wary of the GB riders' acceleration and top end speed - keeping the GB pair boxed in and frustrated in both heats. Results

MEN'S POINTS

Avila Edwin Alcibiades of Colombia took the Points race world title after an incredible show of gutsy and audacious riding. The Colombian's victory was based on a lap gain at the halfway stage, then an eye-bleeding defence of his margin under constant pressure from reigning champion Cameron Meyer. After gaining his lap and the corresponding 25pts, Edwin Alcibiades threatened to drop out of the back of the group but somehow managed to muster fresh energy to score further points and counter numerous moves as the race progressed.

At the same time, odds-on favourite Cameron Meyer was having a frustrating ride, heavily marked and unable to make any of his breaks stick. The Colombian certainly didn't do things the easy way - a number of times dropping back into the pack and letting Meyer nibble away at his lead - necessitating a mountain of work to get back into points scoring or defensive positions. However, in the end, none of the tactical gaucherie made any difference - Edwin Alcibiades' sheer determination won through and he rolled across the line to a standing ovation to clinch the world title, with Meyer having to settle for silver and Frenchman Kneisky bronze. Results