August 24/12 11:27 am - UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships: Day 3 report

Posted by Editoress on 08/24/12
 

Day 3 at the track in New Zealand

Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria Rendon recovered from two crashes on the first night to dominate the men’s omnium on the third day of finals at the UCI Juniors Track Cycling World Championships in Invercargill, New Zealand.

Gaviria Rendon had a practice start tonight to see if he was able to manage with his bumps and bruises after two heavy falls. The 18-year-old did more than that, finishing third in the individual pursuit, fourth in the scratch race and third in the 1000m time trial.

He finished with 15 points, well clear of Jon Dibben (GBR), who edged out Australia’s Tirian McManus by one point for the silver medal after winning the final time trial.

“I am very happy to have a first place in the Junior World Championships,” Gaviria Rendon said. “In the beginning I didn’t really expect [the win] but would like to thank my coach.”

Gaviria Rendon came to the championships with plenty of credentials as the junior road, time trial, team pursuit and scratch race national champion.

Dibben had a strong second night winning the pursuit and kilo, with Japan’s Takuya Takashi winning the scratch race.

Russian sprinter Daria Shmeleva lived up to her nickname, the “Pocket Rocket”, when she won the gold medal in the women’s sprint final.

Shmeleva won the gold medal in two straight rides in the best of three race final over Australian Caitlin Ward.

The Russian, who is the world record holder over the 500m time trial, rode down Ward in the first final and dominated the second to claim the gold.

“I rode more than 120 per cent because I could not do more than I did to win,” said the Russian. “For this event I have been training since the last Junior Worlds after I got my first gold medal in team sprint from last year.”

New Zealand’s Paige Paterson took out the bronze medal in two rides over American Jennifer Valente, who earlier was relegated after crossing the line first in the final of the women’s scratch race.

Georgia Baker bagged the sixth gold medal for Australia when she won the women’s 7.5km scratch race in a tight finish from New Zealand’s Sophie Williamson.

Defending world champion Jennifer Valente was relegated from gold despite crossing the line first for not holding her line in the last 200m.

Throughout the race it was the New Zealander who was the aggressor, but was unable to break the field.

The Australian Baker crashed mid-race but was able to rejoin and recover sufficiently to claim the title.

Meanwhile defending champion Taylah Jennings (AUS) has the lead after three events in the women’s omnium, winning all three races today.

Results

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