TRACK CYCLING

New Zealand strike gold once more in men's Team Sprint

By Sports Media NZ

New Zealand’s crack team sprint trio of Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins regained the world title in thrilling fashion from the Netherlands on the first finals evening at the UCI Track World Cycling Championships in London.

The Kiwis trailed the Dutch after each of the first two legs but a barnstorming final leg by Southland powerhouse Eddie Dawkins enabled the New Zealand to clinch gold in a time of 43.257 – a little over two tenths clear of the silver medallists (43.469).

Victory in London sees the awesome trio of Mitchell, Webster and Dawkins claim their second Rainbow Jersey  in three years following their success at the 2014 edition in Cali, Colombia. The Kiwis crossed the line first at the 2015 World Championships in Paris, but were relegated to second after an illegal changeover.

In the wake of victory a jubilant Mitchell said: “We came here in the best form ever, so to come here and win was the only option for us.


Eddie Dawkins celebrates victory. Photo © Guy Swarbrick

“The more and more we race we prove to ourselves that we are one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team in the world. To come back from last year’s disappointment was a big hurdle for us to overcome.”  

Dawkins said of the victory: “It is always really good to win and to do so in the year of the Rio Olympics is awesome. It puts a big bullseye on our back for the next couple of months but it is good to be the bullseye.”

Earlier, the Kiwis had qualified quickest for the final – recording a time of 43.096 to finish 0.2s faster than the Netherlands, who surprised traditional powerhouses of the event - France and Germany.

The Dutch then pulled a surprise in the final by reshuffling their team from qualification replacing Hugo Haak for Matthijs Buchli.

After the first leg Nils Van ‘T Hoenderdaal brought the Netherlands through into a slender 0.023 lead before second leg rider Jeffrey Hoogland slightly built on that advantage to hold a 0.068 lead from the men in black.

Nonetheless, Dawkins produced a blistering ride on the final lap to help secure the world crown and lay down a real marker that they will be the team to beat at the Rio Olympics.


The men’s team sprint sport their rainbow jerseys. Photo © Guy Swarbrick

Webster praised the performance and the Dutch riders but said of the victorious Kiwi trio: “We race a very good team race. We are smooth in the technical changeovers and that helped us gain some time back. Then Eddie was the one who got us back in the positive for the win.”

In a close run battle for bronze Germany (43.536) shaded France (43.577).

Earlier in tonight’s final session, Alex Frame placed 21^st in the men’s scratch race. The Kiwi was never in the medal picture and finished two laps down on the gold medallist, Spain’s Sebastian Mora Vedri, who dominated the 60-lap race

Mexico’s Ignacio Prado took the silver medal with Claudio Imhof of Switzerland taking bronze.

Earlier New Zealand were 10^th fastest in the women’s team sprint with Natasha Hansen and teenage debutante Olivia Podmore clocking 33.932, to equal the best time set at sea level by a kiwi combination.
In the final the 2015 world champions China crossed the line first, but were relegated to silver for an illegal changeover and Russia (32.679) were awarded gold.

Germany (32.740) edged Australia (32.871) to snatch the bronze.


Dylan Kennett leads the men’s team pursuit. Photo © Guy Swarbrick

Tomorrow New Zealand will take on perennial rivals Australia in the first round of the men’s team pursuit.
The quartet of Dylan Kennett, Piet Bulling, Nick Kergozou and Aaron Gate were third fastest in qualifying earlier today posting a time of 3:57.050.

Great Britain, led by former Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, were fastest in 3:55.664 ahead of Australia in 3:55.867, New Zealand and Denmark.

The hosts take on Denmark in one match tomorrow, with the Kiwis, who won the world title in Paris last year, up against Australia, with the winners to earn a place in the final.

In tomorrow’s action the men’s compete in the first round of the team pursuit, while the women’s combination of Lauren Ellis, Rushlee Buchanan, Jaime Nielsen and Racquel Sheath have qualifying in the women’s team pursuit. Natasha Hansen competes in the women’s keirin and Matt Archibald competes in the 1000m time trial.

Details: www.cyclingnewzealand.nz