Katie Archibald claimed Great Britain’s first medal of the 2016 UEC European Track Championships with silver in the women’s elimination race.
The Scottish rider was dominant in the pack, positioning herself perfectly as each rider was eliminated.
In the final head-to-head Archibald was just pipped to gold by Dutch rider Kirsten Wild.
Archibald, who won Olympic gold as part of the team pursuit squad in Rio this August, said: "My legs felt good. I'm saying I'm happy with silver...but people are really happy with gold!"
The decorated rider will be back on track for the individual pursuit and the omnium later in the week.
I'm up one silver medal after the elimination race tonight. Privilege to share a podium with Kirsten Wild and Laurie Berthon. #EuroTrack16
— Katie Archibald (@_katiearchibald) October 19, 2016
Team pursuit qualifying
Dannielle Khan, Emily Kay, Emily Nelson, Manon Lloyd put together a very strong ride for the Great Britain Cycling Team, finishing in third place, setting up a semi-final with sixth placed Russia on Thursday.
The Italian squad set a blistering time of 4:26.413 as they rode to the fastest time in the field of ten teams.
The Great Britain men’s team, which included Rio gold medallist Steven Burke alongside Kian Emadi, Matt Bostock and Mark Stewart rode last and set the sixth fastest time overall, giving them a semi-final ride off with Italy on Thursday.
Qualifying done, slightly disappointing ride. We've got more to give and we'll fight for a medal tomorrow... https://t.co/50wOve1Ljk
— Matthew Bostock (@Matt_Bostock) October 19, 2016
The home crowd were delighted with the French team’s ride in the men’s team pursuit qualifying, as the quartet set the fastest qualifying time, a full four seconds quicker than their nearest rivals.
Sprinters’ time trials
Returning to the track on a solo bike after several years as a tandem pilot, Rachel James rode first out of the field of 16 riders and set a time of 35.139 for the two-lap time trial.
Ellie Richardson did not look phased by the occasion at her first European championships and set a time of 36.060, putting her just one place behind her teammate James.
James finished in seventh place, in a personal best time but found it tough going.
“That was hard for me; I haven’t done a 500 in competition for about three years,” she said.
“A lap into that I was really feeling, but it was a perfect opener for the team sprint tomorrow – I wasn’t expecting to do much in the 500 but I set a PB so I’m happy with that!”
Richardson felt the track threw up challenges she was not expecting, adding that she would take that into account for the team sprint rounds on Thursday.
“I got out of the gate well but then I struggled a little bit with my second and third revs - I think because all my practice has been going into man two for the team sprint so I’m not used to doing maximal starts,” she said.
“I think I’ve got a better handle on the tightness of the track after doing a couple of laps out on my own so tomorrow should be a lot better!”
Truman kilo
Joe Truman rode superbly as the 15th rider to take the track in the men's kilo, setting the second fastest time, with seven riders left to race.
Although eventually finishing in fifth place, Truman was happy with his first outing at elite level at the European championships.
5th for @JoeTruman97 after an appeal by the Czech team but he is happy and ready for the team sprint tomorrow! #EuroTrack16 pic.twitter.com/dPvNZ1aLaX
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) October 19, 2016
“I was happy with that; I got a PB so I can’t complain,” he said.
“It’s a nice track, it’s really smooth - it felt nice when I got into the swing of things.
“Ryan did a fast first lap today and I got the PB so we’re feeling positive going into the team sprint tomorrow.”
Ryan Owens was leading the field in his effort but a loud crash from track centre towards the end of his final lap, appeared to throw the sprinter off his rhythm.
In the men’s scratch race Ollie Wood rode strongly and tried to take a lap on the rest of the field several times.
As the bell rang on the last lap however, the young British rider was boxed in on the inside and had nowhere left to go, taking 20th.
Wood will race again on Saturday in the men’s points race.
