Melbourne (Australia) Commonwealth Games
March 19, 2006 | British Cycling's Larry Hickmott reports
>Commonwealth Games (Day 4)
Women's Pursuit
For England's Emma Davies-Jones, the Womens Pursuit was like a home coming after her hit and run accident last year. The Cheshire young lady who is moving to Belgium when she returns to England, was the third fastest qualifier, earning herself a surprise bronze medal.
"I'm so excited, it feels like I have won a gold medal," said the thrilled Davies Jones afterwards.
The Knutsford-born cyclist suffered a serious back injury in September 2005 after being knocked off her bike while cycling to training in Manchester. "I always wanted to be here and my coach had faith in me after my accident," she said. "Previously, I just wanted to go to sleep."
Davies Jones, had beaten Shanks easily in the qualifying round, recording 3:38.791, the third fastest of the round, to set up their medal match. But she had a tougher battle to secure the bronze. Davies Jones started slowly and was 0.4 seconds down at half way. Gradually she began to close the gap, however, reducing the lead to 0.3 at 2k as she began to find her rhythm. By 2500m she had edged ahead by 0.2 seconds and in the last two laps she powered home as the Kiwi tired, winning in 3:40.057.
"It was tight, very tight," she said. "I really pulled it out of the bag. This means the world to me. I am in shock. A few weeks ago I did a trial and was five seconds slower. I did have a plan, I promised my coach I would not get involved in a fight," she added. "And then I heard my Dad, who has a very distinctive voice, so I gritted my teeth and stuck to my plan.
"My coach has great faith in me and for the last two laps I did everything for those who have faith in me."
But whilst there was delight for Davies-Jones, there was heart ache for Wendy Houvenaghel who found herself in a no win situation. Seeded to ride against favourite, World Champion Katie Mactier, in the qualifier, Wendy was caught between a rock and a hard place when the Aussie caught her and then 'parked up' as she started to die in her Commonwealth Games record breaking ride.
Wendy had nowhere to go - stay behind and fail to qualify for the final or go past the Aussie and continue her qualification quest. She chose the latter and was immediately disqualified which was a sad way to end her Games on the track. Had she been in another heat, she may well have done enough to ride for Bronze against her team-mate but we'll never know now.
Medal time! Kate Bates, Katie Mactier and our own Emma Davies Jones.
Result
1. Katie Mactier, Australia
2. Kate Bates, Australia
3. Emma Davies-Jones, England
Emma races to a bronze medal in the final for the Womens Pursuit.
It was an emotional moment with the tears flowing as Emma won herelf a medal despite a serious accident last year in Manchester.
Katrina Hair of Scotland qualified in 5th place and just missed a ride in the finals after a worldclass time of 3.43.
Wendy Houvenaghel on her ride where she was caught by record breaker Mactier and then dq'd for re-passing the Australian.
FINALS
Bronze
1. Emma Jones (England) 3.40.057 (49.078km/h)
2. Alison Shanks (New Zealand) 3.40.878 (48.896km/h)
Final for gold
1. Katie Mactier (Australia) 3.35.196 (50.187km/h)
2. Katherine Bates (Australia) 3.37.089 (49.749km/h)
Qualifying
1. Katie Mactier (Australia) 3.30.290 (51.358km/h)
2. Katherine Bates (Australia) 3.34.471 (50.356km/h)
3. Emma Jones (England) 3.38.791 (49.362km/h)
4. Alison Shanks (New Zealand) 3.40.733 (48.928km/h)
5. Katrina Hair (Scotland) 3.43.524 (48.317km/h)
6. Paddy Walker (New Zealand) 3.44.191 (48.173km/h)
7. Alexis Rhodes (Australia) 3.44.614 (48.082km/h)
8. Iona Wynter (Jamaica) 3.52.679 (46.416km/h)
9. Uracca Leow Hoay Sim (Malaysia) 3.59.430 (45.107km/h)
10. Noor Azian Binti Alias (Malaysia) 4.05.107 (44.062km/h)
DSQ Wendy Houvenaghel (England)