RIO DE JANEIRO: The two fastest women’s track cycling pursuit teams locked horns for gold at the Olympics yester but the expected close battle ended in a romp for Britain as they crushed their American rivals in another world record.
After trailing early on the quartet of Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell-Shand cranked up the pace to devastating effect, winning in 4:10.236 – nearly two seconds quicker than the world record they set in the heats.
Sarah Hammer’s US team had thrown down the gauntlet with a world record of their own in the morning heats only to see Britain respond almost immediately. And they were no match for Britain in the final as the US wait for a gold in Olympic women’s track cycling goes on. Britain won by half a second.
Canada secured only its second Olympic medal in women’s track cycling, beating New Zealand for bronze.
Meanwhile, Elis Ligtlee of the Netherlands upset the favourites to win women’s keirin gold.
The 22-year-old beat Britain’s Becky James into second with Australian track cycling legend Anna Meares coming third.
London 2012 champion Kristina Vogel of Germany finished last in the six rider final at the Olympic velodrome. Ligtlee, who stands 1m85 tall, led from the front on the final lap.
James, who fell into the arms of her Welsh rugby star boyfriend George North after the race, was last at the bell and although she made up a lot of ground, she had left it too late to reel in Ligtlee.
Meares, the record 11-time world champion, could do noting against her younger foes while Vogel never appeared to be at the races.
Ligtlee’s victory denied Britain a golden double just minutes after they had won the women’s team pursuit title in a world record time.
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