Track World Championships - Day 1

Olga Panarina became the first gold medallist of the 2011 World Championships, as she took victory in the women’s 500 metre time trial.

Women’s 500 t.t.

The Belarusian just managed to pip Sandie Clair, to the win, by two tenths of a second, with a time of 14.649 seconds. Clair took gold in this event at the European Championships, but didn’t have enough in the tank. The event has fallen out of favour since it was axed from the Olympics, but that didn’t stop a top class field taking part. Just behind the leading pair, were Miriam Welte and Willy Kanis.  

Men’s Team Pursuit

Australia was the surprise winners in the team pursuit, as current Olympic Champions Great Britain, only managed a bronze medal. The Aussies put out a formidable team of; Jack Bobridge, Rohan Denis, Michael Hepburn and, Commonwealth time-trial bronze medallist Luke Durbridge. Russia had no answer to Australia and crossed the line almost five seconds down. Great Britain’s performance was almost as good, despite not having their normal big hitters, as they took three seconds out of New Zealand.

Women’s 25k Points Race

Tatsiana Sharakova added another Gold medal to the Belarus tally, after she was the only rider to take a lap on the field. Her escape happened early with Jarmila Machacova, but local hero Marianne Vos chased them down and Sharakova was the only one to stay away. The 20 point bonus proved to be helpful as Machacova only finished 10 points behinds her. Not content with winning gold at the road championships Italy’s Giorgia Bronzini finished in third.

Men’s Scratch Race

Kwok Ho Ting became only the second rider from Hong Kong to take a title at the World Championships. The 23-year-old’s last title was the Madison at the Asia Championship, but he also managed gold in 2008 at the Melbourne World Cup. Kwok’s chance came in the dying moments of the race, while the favourites were busy watching each other, allowing him a good chance.

Men’s Team Sprint

France finally won their first gold in this event, as Gregory Bauge, Kevin Sireau and Michael D’Almeida beat Germany by almost a second. France has now won six of the last ten titles, and been in the running for the others. The victory gave D’Almeida his first rainbow jersey, while it was Sireau’s third and Bauge’s fifth. Great Britain had to settle for third, yet again, with Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Matt Crampton beat New Zealand by just under half a second. France