Women's Scratch Race

2008 World Track Championships - Day 5

Lizzie Armistead represented GB in a scorching Women's Scratch race.

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Above: The final sprint

Svetlana Paulikaite and Spaniard Gema Pascual Torrecilla provided early spice with an early break but were reeled back in. Catherine Cheatley of New Zealand and Pascua of Spain crashed on the home straight, the Spanish rider was visibly dazed and retired. Cheatley rejoined with 15 laps to go to huge applause. With 10 laps to go, three riders broke away, Mexico, Canada and Czech. The break was short lived and it was all back together with eight laps to go. More convincing was Danish rider Shmidt's attack which really woke things up. At four to go Dutch rider Van Dijk then hit the front and the pack didn't respond quickly enough, with the Dutch rider taking a fine, crowd pleasing victory.

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Above: An extremely happy Van Dijk claims a deserved Gold medal after a fine solo victory

1 Van Dijk (NED)

2 Gonzalez (CUB)

3 Goss (AUS)