Track World Championships - Day 5

Anna Meares became the second woman to win three rainbow jerseys, in one world championship, as she won a dramatic Kerin.

Women’s Kerin

The big surprise of this event was Victoria Pendleton’s failure to reach the major final, after she was squeezed out in the final sprint. Pendleton was the first woman to win three golds in one championship, but she has failed to take any home with her this time. Mears went in to the final as the big favourite, however she had to contend with Frenchwoman Clara Sanchez. Shuang Gou led the group around on to the final lap, but it nearly came a cropper when Lisandra Guerra Rodriguez crashed. The Cuban caught her elbow on Gou’s leg, which sent her flying down the track, but fortunately she hit no one else. Sanchez took the chance to jump the group, as Gou slowed down, with Meares right on her wheel. The Aussie showed to power, we all know she has, to obliterate the rest of the group. Olga Panarina put in a stunning sprint to go over the top of two riders, to take silver, and Sanchez took bronze.

Track World Championships - Day 3

Gregory Bauge didn’t even look like he was breaking a sweat, as he eased passed Jason Kenny, to take his third consecutive Individual Sprint World Championship.

Men’s Individual Sprint

Bauge went fourth in qualifying and was drawn against fellow Frenchman Mickael Bourgain, who had set the fastest time. Bourgain put up a solid fight in the first heat, but was eventually overpowered by Bauge, on the final straight. The second heat was more of a foregone conclusion, as the elder rider ramped up the speed. In the other semi-final, Jason Kenny continued in his ascendency, as he confidently beat Sir Chris Hoy in two. Bauge went on to face Kenny in the final and despite the Brit’s best efforts the Frenchman toppled him in two. Hoy managed to salvage some pride, by taking the bronze medal, but he was forced to go to the decider.

Ben Swift takes final stage as Cameron Meyer wins overall Tour Down Under

Ben Swift took victory in the final stage of the Tour Down Under as Cameron Meyer sealed the Ochre jersey.

Swift managed used a great lead out from Greg Henderson to seal Team Sky a one-two on the streets of Adelaide. Sky took control of the peloton within the last kilometre with several of the team sat on the front to give the Brit his second victory after stage two in Mannum. The win boosts Swift in to third place eight seconds behind the tour winner Meyer. His focus is now split between the road calendar and the World Track Championships in March.

Francisco Ventoso times it to perfection to win Stage 5

Movistar’s Francisco Ventoso beat the top sprinters at this year’s Tour Down Under to take his team’s debut victory.

The Spaniard pipped stage 3 winner Michael Matthews and GC contender Matt Goss across the line in Willunga. Ventoso managed to time his attack to perfection with Matthews chasing down on him; the Rabobank rider lost out on victory by inches. This is the first year Movistar join the peloton as a reincarnation of the Caisse D’Epargne team. The victory puts them on the top of the team leader board 11 seconds ahead of Vacansoleil-DCM and Ag2R La Mondiale.

Meyer breaks away to claim victory and the ochre jersey

Cameron Meyer took the overall lead of the Tour Down Under in the first successful breakaway of 2011.

The Australian time-trial champion rode through the pain, from his crash two days before, to launch an attack with four others. At 80km to go Meyer along with Thomas de Gendt, Matthew Wilson and Rob Rujigh made a bid for freedom. The Australian was the last man standing as his breakaway compatriots began to drop to claim his first professional victory.

Goss Close but no Cigar
Yesterday’s leader Matt Goss did his best to catch up with the Garmin-Cervelo rider, but he could only manage to get within 24 seconds. Meyer’s team were in the driving seat all day, with two riders at the front, they were able to control the peloton to let them stay away. At 20km to go it looked like the main group would catch the leaders, with all the sprinters teams taking turns on the front, but that is when the young Aussie put the power down. The 23-year-old now holds a 10-second lead over Laurens ten Dam; while Goss is now 12 seconds behind the leader.