Women's Points Race

 

2008 World Track Championships - Day 4

The impressive Marianne Vos on the podium with Schmidt of Austria and Carrara of Italy

 

In contrast to the men's event the day before, this was a cracking race with lots of adventure and intent shown by the riders. 

 

First to make an impact was Schmidt of Austria who worked long and hard to gain a lap, finally achieving the goal at 24 laps gone, picking up 5 points for a sprint along the way. This effort told on her and she made little impact in the second half of the race, but she'd already done enough to put herself in a good position for a medal.

 

The serious business of chasing medals began just before half distance when Marianne Vos of Holland went away for a long solo bid to gain a lap, which took her 10 laps, during which she also picked up points for one of the sprints.

This was a tough race, ridden hard and fast

 

The Italain Caraara followed soon afterwards, having a lot easier time of it as the main bunch slowed for a few laps.

 

Vos is pure class and she kept herself near the front of the race, picking up just enough points as she went along. Then when Schmidt bravely attacked in the last half dozen laps Vos went over her an attacked herself, quickly pulling clear of the field  and sealing the gold by taking the final sprint.

The stylish Marianne Vos works her way round to gaining a lap

 

Schmidt held on in there to claim silver, with Carrara winning the bronze entirely due to her gained lap.

 

The race was all about Vos, though. She has now become the first woman to win senior world titles in Road Racing, Cyclo-Cross and Track racing and on the eveidence of this intelligent and athletic performance, she's only just begun!