Images: SWpix.com
The Lee Valley Velodrome in London was brought to life for the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup this weekend. There were some amazing performances from British riders, including several Scots.
Day 1
After impressing in the early rounds, the Great Britain Cycling Team women’s team pursuit quartet, including Scots Neah Evans and Katie Archibald took Gold.
Afterwards, Archibald said:
“The way that we’ve gone out today has proven a really good formula. The most important part of a team pursuit is inevitably that last kilometre and we’re yet to really test that, but although the world championships seem a long way away, I’m excited to see what we can do there.”
Jenny Holl was part of Team Breeze who narrowly missed the podium claiming 4th in the women's team pursuit event. A fantastic result for a young team.
There was British success in the men’s event, as team Huub Wattbike – including Scottish track regulars Jonny Wale and John Archibald – defeated Belgium to claim gold.
This world cup represents an historic first, with para-cycling events being included in the schedule for the first time. Team Scotland Commonwealth games gold medal winners Neil Fachie and Matt Rotherham won gold in the mixed B sprint event while newcomer to the GBCT programme Fin Graham claimed a brilliant silver in C1-C3 Kilo.
Day 2
Jack Carlin was narrowly edged out of the medal positions in the keirin. Riding for Team Inspired, the Scot won his heat and finished second in his semi-final, but found himself boxed in during the final, and was just unable to battle back to claim a place on the podium, finishing fourth.
Day 3
Archibald and Kenny teamed up for the women’s Madison, and scored in all but one of the sprints before a phenomenal final lap from Kenny made sure of the victory.
The triumph represents the pair’s second gold medal of the weekend after their team pursuit win on Friday evening.
Team Inspired’s Jack Carlin was agonisingly edged out of the medal positions in the men’s sprint, losing a deciding race for bronze to Dutchman Jeffrey Hoogland. Hoogland’s compatriot, Harrie Lavreysen, claimed gold ahead of Australia’s world champion Matthew Glaetzer.
