2012 Cycling: World Track Championships

I think Hoy has done it! This is a real battle of strength

and Hoy wins! Look at that! That's a new world

I do not believe it to! What an amazing ride by Great Britain!

Unbelievable! The Olympic Games are just 110 days from now. This week

in Melbourne, it is the World Championships. It is the chance to

take the upper hand in a number of intriguing sub-plots surrounding

intriguing sub-plots surrounding cycling. Will Sir Chris Hoy When

the right to defend his Olympic sprint title in London? Victoria

Pendleton continues her battle with her arch rival, Anna Meares. Other

battles come in the men's team pursuit. Also in the women's Team

Sprint. And Great Britain's best chance of Olympic gold, the women's

team pursuiters, looking to break the world record that they smash in

London. We begin with that battle in the men's team pursued. It is a

new look British quartet from the one which set the world record in

2008. They were beaten by the Australians in February summer --

in February, since when, the British boys have been fine-tuning.

This is probably the first team pursuit we have lost in a while,

actually, probably before Beijing. I cannot remember the last time. It

is not nice to lose, however. expected to be incredibly close at

the Olympics, but we just wanted to be the other way. We are definitely

working through it. We're feeling a lot stronger, moving in the right

direction. It is so different to the road, you paddle at 130

revolutions a minute on the track, and on the roads, it is 70,

sometimes. It is a big difference, producing power at that cadence.

That is one of the main aspects which we are working on.

Competition for places in this pursuit team is fierce. The four

riders were in the penultimate heat, and they set a scorching pace. Andy

Tennant pulled out, to leave the remaining three riders to cross the

line with the fastest time. It was the quickest ever qualifying time

in a team pursuit qualification, and the third fastest time ever, to

set up an Australia-G BHA final. In the bronze medal ride off, New

Zealand judged it perfectly to beat Russia. So, Ed Clancy will lead off,

followed by a Steven Burke. I can tell you, Great Britain have made

one change, Andy Tennant went in the qualifying round, and went well,

but he has been pulled out of the squad, and Steven Burke has come in.

I think the Australian team has it changed its line up a little bit.

If you analyse that first ride, Australia, with 250 metres to go,

were leading by 0.5 of the second, and they ended up losing to Great

Britain by 0.16. Australia have got off the mark slightly slower here.

CHRIS BOARDMAN: It is this part of the race where Australia normally

make their mark, but it is not happening at the moment. Are they

tired or have they learned a lesson? We will find out in about a

minute's time. Probably trying to measure their efforts slightly

differently to that qualification this morning, because they were

well up on Great Britain at the midway point. The first kilometre

has been completed in a staggeringly quick time. That is

almost 0.4 seconds inside world- record pace from Great Britain.

Well, they know it is possible. They are up on their schedule as

well. The time difference is narrowing, they're going to have to

keep this up. We are going to see another close race. This is going

to be a titanic struggle, believe me. The crowd are starting to get

behind Australia. 1.5 kilometres completed. Right on the peak of the

subtle, both squads, a tell-tale sign of just how hard it is. Some

big turns going in from Great Britain here. That's the kind of

thing which Jack Bobridge does for Australia, the world record holder

for the 4,000m. The crowd are loving this, Australia have moved

into the lead, it is still close but they have gone into the lead at

the midway point. There's absolutely nothing in it, it has

swung the other way now. There is less than a tenth of this accord

between these teams, they have been evenly matched for nearly a year

now. Every time they meet, these two, it is a breathtaking contest.

Now, can Great Britain finally get the better of Australia in a world

final? Look how close it is. Australia have gone behind again.

It keeps going backwards and forwards, Great Britain just slowed

by another tenth of the second - will that be the difference?

Heading towards the three 1/4 point now. Both squads are giving it

absolutely everything. Great Britain look as though they're

going to get the measure of Australia. There is the difference,

0.3 of the second. We are into the Australia are down to three men,

and by the way it happened, I don't think it was planned. Where are the

medals going to go? Great Britain have gone down to three. Both

squads are now down to three, but the advantage for Great Britain is

0.8 to the second, surely that's a winning margin. Here they come

again, Great Britain have got the bit between their teeth. They want

gold, and they are going to get it. Great Britain are inside the final

250 metres. Australia are giving it everything, but it is not enough,

here come Great Britain. Great Britain are the world champions!

The finishing time, a new world record. You cannot ask for more

than that, Chris Boardman. Both teams were absolutely on the limit.

The British team were just holding it together, they just managed to

do it. They wanted that, they took a risk in the final by changing, to

put Steven Burke in, but it paid off. There's Geraint Thomas, he

knows what it is like to get a gold medal, he was a member of the

Beijing squad. The celebrations are starting trackside, they are happy

with that, and who wouldn't be? Let's not forget the time of

Australia as well. Well, they finished a strongly. They dealt

with the situation very, very well. It was so close at the end, but

what a ride. There's a man who knows what it is like to be a world

champion at team pursuit, Paul Manning. These are the images of

the Great Britain team. They got it together, they did not panic. It

was a see-saw contest. Just a tenth of a second, they had been so close.

This is the event which we have all been watching for so long. In

London, they were smarting, at last year's World Championships, they

were smarting, and at last, just at the right time, the British team is

putting it all together. So, Great Britain win the gold medal on the

first day of these World Championships, for the men's 4,000m

team pursuit. It is the fourth time that they have won the Crown, the

first one coming in 2005 in Los Angeles. Australia have been world

champions eight times. I think, if my memory serves me correctly, that

is the fifth time they have raised Australia in a world final, and the

first time they have beaten them. Surely that will really lift their

morale for London. Let's confirm It is rare that I am speechless,

but that was one of the most incredible team pursuit finals I

have ever seen - how amazing was it a be part of it? That's the best

race I have had. It is the ones you have to fight hard for that you

remember. I will never forget that one. We knew it was going to be a

battle, but apparently, it was just a couple of tenths here and there.

Going on to the last lap, I had already given it everything, I was

just a passenger, and I hit the front again, and I was off the back

for the whole of the last lap. I thought, I am going to lose it all.

I was the third rider across the line, but just enough, just about.

At the start of the race, you did a great job, doing a turn and three-

quarters. Yes, copying Jack Bobridge from the Aussies, he was

the first to do it. But if it means the guys behind me can do more

later in the race, it is a good situation, and it worked well.

does it feel to have won here in Australia, Pete Kannaugh? Lost for

words, really. I have been wanting this for the last four years, but

it has never quite happened. To come to Australia and beat the

Aussies on their home turf, it makes it all the better. That was

the hardest team pursuit I have ever done. In London we did not

quite have it, and we said we wanted to get better at the Worlds

and at the Olympics. We have broken the world record, but there is a

lot to come. You guys seemed to be right on the edge just at the end

of that, and you of course stepped in, how good is it to slot into

this team? Definitely, slotting in with the best. I'm just glad they

believed in me. I was confident I could do the business. It felt

really good tonight. It was the best I have felt for quite some

time. Geraint, how significant is it to come here and do that to

Australia in their own backyard good it makes up for London, that's

for sure. But it was a great race, like Ed Clancy said. It reminds me

of Manchester, really. We broke the world record them as well. I think

we made a lot of games after that, and I'm sure we will do the same

now. We have just got to keep pushing, it is all part of the

process. We have done a world record, but there is a lot more to

come. Me and Peter are going off to chase a load of Italians around

Italy and get fit. We are really looking forward to London now. It

Chris Boardman, what a privilege to be here in this Velodrome to see

that. Two of the fastest pursuit rides we have ever seen in history

- it lived up to the hype, didn't it? It did. We have been saying for

a couple of years that it is going to go down to the wire in London,

and this set the same thing, a tenth of a second, flip-flop in

either way during the race, and luckily, Great Britain came out on

top, but a little bit shorter, a little bit longer, it could have

gone the other way. The boys say they will go faster in London, but

in many ways, Geraint is perhaps fortunate to keep his place in this

squad. Yes, he literally had to fight his way into this team. For

him, the problem has been being able to hang on and go quick enough

at the start. If he can manage to do that, it is his insurance side

which carries him in the last part of the race. -- it is his endurance

side. How significant is it to beat Australia in their own backyard?

think they came here are prepared not to win, but they wanted to

close the gap, so it was something extra, to beat them, and to take

the world record. But it is still very close. It is going to be a

world record to win Olympic gold, isn't it? I think so, not only that,

I think it will go by a significant Victoria Pendleton's Olympic year

got off to a successful start when Jess Varnish launched the pair to a

world record in London. The British girls were one up on if Aussie pair

of Anna Meares and Kaarle McCulloch. In Australia the rivals have been

engaging in a war of words, with Pendleton questioning Meares's race

tactics in the past, and Culshaw saying Pendleton is scared of

Meares. It felt to me like some of which the questions were angling

for me to dish the dirt or say something controversial. But I

thought I don't think about it that much and if I should I don't know

what to say. They broke the world record in London only for tow break

it again. That's going to be one of the match-ups of the week isn't it?

Definitely. It is going to be close. China is also close and in the mix.

It is going to be a tight competition, very exciting. I'm

leaking forward to it. We couldn't ask to be in a better place for

this time of year. We are really looking forward to it. I can't wait

to get it done. The big surprise of the night saw Germany break the

British pair's record in qualifying. They knew they would need something

special for the final. The time they posted however was only good

enough for fourth, putting them in the bronze medal race for with a

Jess Varnish with that big effort, trying to get that gear wound up

Varnish and Pendleton got silver last year. 18.717.

Varnish with 19.08. She hasn't backed that ride up. It looks as

though Pendleton is under pressure to try and get the bronze. China

takes bronze and they finished that in 32.870. Great Britain have to

settle for fourth on 33160. Really it was down to that opening lap.

got that nice surprise. Varnish exceeded expectations. It is a lot

to ask to keep that going. Not as sharp as she was in London. She'll

be disappointed with that. In that World Cup as well she posted back

to back really good times. Some work to be done there.

Riders now preparing for the final of the women's team sprint.

Left is Germany, who set a new world record in qualification

against Australia, who have been the world champions for the last

Look at the starting power here of Meares. She is flying along the

track. 18.646 for Germany but 18.415 for Meares of Australia. It

means that they are on course for a new world record.

32.597. They have to settle for silver. And Germany in the closing

stages get 32.549. Germany for the second time set a world record.

Amazing. You can see the surprise on the faces there. They were

hoping for it but they didn't expect it. They are absolutely

delighted. Taking two world records. They are now the team to beat at

the London Olympics. That's amazing. 32.549. When you think how far

behind they were after Meares' opening lap, who went through in

18.415. It shows that they've got both riders on form. It is not just

a good starter. Both riders absolutely in unison. Australia

inside the world record set by Germany as well.

Very consistent performance by Meares. Two great starts from her.

The world record falls twice here in the women's team sprint. In the

qualification round and in the final. It is Germany on both

occasions that set it. Who would have thought that. They've come on

in leaps and bounds with the sprint events in the last few months.

Tactically they've really improved You can't always expect to get on

the track and do a PB. We've done our best today and we are happy

with that. I think what it shows is the level of competition now you

are going to have to consistently break records and set personal

bests if you are going to be in the medal hunt. We took two thents off

the world record in London for the World Cup there. -- two tenths.

We'll have to step up again, but we will. Do you think you can improve,

progress and get among the medals and get on the podium in London?

Absolutely. We are only talking a few tenths. We have a lot more to

come in terms of fine-tuning our performance. What we've done

already has been a massive achievement and more than I

expected really, until the period of a year, pre-Olympics, it is way

more than I expected to gain as a team. I think we did a great job.

We would like to do better, we will do better. We are going to train

hard for the next couple of months and hope that we can find a bit

more time. It is a different competition at the Olympics. It is

very different. It is a different environment and it is on our home

turf, so we should take song from that and hope it gives us something

extra. Wanted - a big man who can fly out of the start geet. That's

been the problem for the British sprint team squad. Philip Heinz,

who switched allegiance before the Olympics. Philip is a great lad. He

is half my age. He reminds me of when I was younger in the team and

everything was new and exciting. His strength is his acceleration.

His start is really fast. The crucial thing is he's improving all

the time. The other guys have been around for years and they make

small improvements, if at autumn, whereas he's taken two tenths off

his time every month at the moment. We are just saying get up there,

experience what it is like to be at a major Championship and if he

performs well there's a good chance he could be in the running for the

Olympics. Because we are a few months away, by then he could be up

there with the best guys. If he gets a chance there's a chance we

could challenge for the gold medal. Cycling isn't the only sport that's

seen foreign nationals join the British team. How did you feel

about somebody coming from another about somebody coming from another

nation and representing Great Britain? His dad is British. It is

not as if something is visiting the country a couple of times. Philip

has a German accent but his humour appears British. He is fitting in

the team well. The regulations are there. If you have rules you stick

to the rules and if you are eligible you are eljiblg.

17.096 the quickest opening lap he's posted. The power of the man,

he just blows the team out of the wheel.

17.510 for Heinz. They are going to be pleased with that.

A personal best and by a big chunk. A lifetime best for Heinz. The

opening lap by Germany, 17.112. 30.201 at the 500 metre mark. What

are they going to stop the clock Just shy. Their time places them

second. It means they will race against France for the gold and

silver. The time by Great Britain puts them in fourth position and

they will race Australia for the bronze.

I think they've got -- they are going to be happy with that. Heinz

stepped up to the mark. Posted a personal best. You can't ask for

more than that. He's got time to progress between now and the

Olympic Games. That's what it is about, this window after the

world's leading up to London. They've gambled. They've put the

youngster in the gate. I think that's probably one of the best

times we've seen by our new gate men. They've got to be happy with

that. The jer man there, an incredible start -- German, an

incredible start. If they go further 50 metres they are

relegated. That was about 10 metres there.

There was a rule infringement. The changeover after lap one between

Heinz and Kenny meant Great Britain was disqualified.

This is the ride-off for the gold and silver medals in the men's team

The French team have much closer to the wheel.

70.405. Not as quick as his time trial round.

They complete the 500 metres. One lap to go. It is still strans

leading. It is Australia that wins in 43.266.

1,000th of a second splitting the two. Australia take gold from

France. That's exactly what that finish is what we saw in the

previous ride. It was a blistering finish by the Australians. Perkins

really upped his game there and the other two were ready to take

advantage of it. Fantastic teamwork. The French just couldn't replicate

what they had done before. The opening lap of 17.405 by

Bourget put France in the lead. You couldn't hold the Aussies down.

He was slower by 0.3 in the previous ride. That's better for

his team-mates. That's what they miss, the great start. Perkins

stepped up and did a blistering opening lap.

Australia get their gold medal here. For the men's team sprint. I'm

looking down my times and that time of 43.266 is a national record.

That's pretty risky. I wouldn't fancy doing that. His son certainly

We looked at the video and it is clearly outwith the changeover zone.

It was small mistake by Phil. He did a great ride. The improvement

he's made. Everything has been fantastic so far. He's disappointed

but he shouldn't feel it is his responsibility. He made a very

small mistake and we've been relegated. You can see you've got

experienced teams like the Germans. They've been relegated as well. Two

of the top four teams have been taken out for changeover areas.

is the kind of things we see in athletics, where Great Britain drop

the baton. Is it something you can legislate against? Is it the kind

of thing that shouldn't happen at a World Championships? It shouldn't

happen, but we've won and lost Championships by thousands of a

second. The reason you have this changeover area is if you have a

bit of a gap you can boost the start at the lap. Essentially if

you have a very fast starter you can leave it late and shorten the

second lap and the third lap. The rule is there for a good reason.

You practise it over and over in training but the differences

between winning and losing are so small, the margins you are working

with, if you get it slightly wrong you are out. Sir Chris Hoy clearly

disappointed to miss out on a medal ride. I think it was very difficult.

Four teams all relegated for the same infringement. There's a mark

on the track which shows the zone and you must change inside it.

they were outside of it. There is normally a sponge at the side. The

riders are doing 07kph and they can't see a little mark. Maybe a

bit of inexperience by Heinz but is he now the answer to this dilemma?

Have we got a new British man? don't want to be cheesy but there's

a positive side. 17.5 is a workable first latch. They will be pleased

with that. He is only going in one direction. I think he's booked his

How did you enjoy the experience? It was really good, to ride with

Jason and Chris. Very promising, but obviously disappointed to be

relegated - what happened, in your mind? I was riding like I normally

do, had my head down, did not really think about the change, but

then I was a bit too early, about five metres too early, but you do

not really think about it. It was a mistake for me. Do you feel now

that you have a real chance to get a ride and be part of the team at

the Olympics Medstead yes, I hope so. And the fastest first man in

Britain at the moment. I set myself a target of going 17.2, and I

reckon I can do it. You are half- English, that's right, isn't it?

Yes, my dad came over when he was 17, I think, to the army. And he

was in a base in Germany. He was with the British Army. Then he met

my mother, I think. And decided to stay. Yes.. How did you come to be

part of this British team? My coach in Germany was Joanne's Old coach,

and I thought, maybe I should ask Jan, and he asked Shane and Dave,

and I got accepted to the academy. How do you get on with the other

guys? Do you understand the sense of humour, are you fitting in?

Sometimes I understand, but sometimes they have to explain it

to me, because there are some words I do not know. But they are pretty

good, they explain it to me and then I can laugh with them. What

does your father think about it? think he was proud of me when I was

in the German team, but I reckon it is nicer for him that I ride for

A number of non-Olympic events are in the World Championship programme.

The one member of the pursuit squad not to get to ride so far, Ben

Swift, lined up in the 15 kilometre scratch race. First across the line

the Swiss rider. In the shake-up as well is Ben Swift.

CHRIS BOARDMAN: They have managed to control it through this breathe

the period, but it is going to come down to a sprint now. Everybody has

had a chance to take a breath. It will be very difficult to get away

now. I would like to see Ben Swift a few places higher, he has been

a few places higher, he has been a few places higher, he has been

getting caught up in the wheels at the back. The Austrian goes again.

So, 7 to go, when they hit the line, and the Austrian has gone, with a

surprise attack. The two riders in Hong Kong did exactly the same as

this. There has been a big reaction off the front of the main field now.

And it is the Italian, yet again. think that might be a mistake from

the Italian. He is so frustrated, you cannot do it all on your own,

surely he is not going to close that gap, but he has ridden away

from the rest of the field! This is a carbon copy of last year's

closing stages in the world title race. This is going to be a

grandstand finish. Four to go. Mueller, still clear, the man who

won the bronze medal a few years ago. It is like team pursuit! We

have got riders all over the track. Nobody has got fresh legs. Ben

Swift is coming up on him, he is in the medals. He is moving into third

position now. Mueller is beginning to get tired. Ben Swift is now in

second position. The Austrian looks back, and Ben Swift is in with a

serious chance of winning the gold medal for the men's and scratch.

Surely he is going to be in with a great chance. Here goes Ben Swift

of Great Britain! There is a big attack coming from the back, and

Ben Swift might be pushed out of it. Here he comes to the line. Ben

Swift takes the gold medal in the men's scratch race, and the crowd

absolutely loved it. The South African nearly took him on the line,

but could not quite get to him. What a great victory. He looked

over his shoulder, with 50 metres to go, and I was thinking, no,

don't do that shacks and but he don't do that shacks and but he

played it beautifully. Ben Swift just waited a bit longer, and

that's what made the difference. that's what made the difference.

that's what made the difference. Ben Swift was there when it counted.

Ben Swift rode a very clever, tactical race. Take a look at this.

At the front, Mueller was running out of steam. Well, he gambled here,

he was managing three groups of people, and he knew that he just

had to hold him on the shoulder, that if he could get around this

end, the race was his. Absolutely. The he was not too worried about

the rider from the Czech Republic, because he knows he has got the

better finish. And then of course, he began to apply the pressure. On

the line, it was Hoffmann who nearly spoiled the party. But Ben

Swift had done enough. It could not get more exciting than that, really.

We have got to be pleased with that, that is a pretty fantastic opening

day, with two gold medals for Great Wow! That kind of crept upon us. A

great win, but you had to work hard for it. Definitely. I knew somebody

would attack at the finish, just tried to play it cool. It is one of

the hardest I have ever had to work. I am more than made up. And of

course, what happened earlier on in the session, the guys winning the

team pursuit, I know you want to be part of that, but that clearly

inspired you. Definitely. I could not try and win after seeing those

boys, I nearly lost my voice during for them. It was unbelievable what

they did. To be part of it in the training and stuff, it is

unbelievable. To get a jersey of my Of all Britain's gold medal hopes

in the Olympics, the strongest chance comes in the women's team

pursuit. No pressure there, then. Actually, there does not seem to be

any pressure, as they show that the test event.

I don't believe it, Great Britain have certain new world record!

was not a target as such, but it has been a long time coming for us.

At Manchester, we have got down so close to the world record, but we

never nail it. It was almost like a relief. I was so happy that we have

finally broken it. The world record meant a lot. They have been so

consistent over the past few years... People have seen what we

can do so of course they're going to try to step it up. We can only

do our best. It is such a great team atmosphere that we have got.

We are like a family, rather than a team. Me and Dani King hang around

all the time, we live next door to each other. We are best mates. With

Joanna Rowsell, she does not live in our flats, so it is a bit harder,

we just see her and Wendy One kilometre to go for the women's

team pursuit squad of Joanna Rowsell, Dani King and Laura Trott.

They are starting to pick the pace up. In the first kilometre, they

were 1.3 seconds behind the Australians. Then they picked it

back to 0.9 seconds at the two kilometre point. They have only got

to beat the time of Canada, and they are in the final for the gold

and silver. But just look at that now. Only 0.6 seconds off the pace.

The coaches are indicating to them that they can actually closed down

on the time that the Aussies have said. What are they going to finish

up with? It is looking very much to me as though Great Britain can go

quicker than Australia! They can! They now lead the Aussies. Well,

are they going to break that world record? The Australians have only

held it for about 15 minutes, and it looks as though it is going to

crumble. Here come the British trio. Oh, sensational. A new world record,

and Great Britain qualify fastest. Incredible scenes. Just a matter of

hours later, Canada beat New Zealand to the bronze, before the

final everyone wanted to see - HUGH PORTER: this is the final of

the women's team pursuit. The great British team is Joanna Rowsell,

Dani King and Laura Trott. This is going to be some fight.

CHRIS BOARDMAN: We can expect Australia to put in a very, very

strong start. But they need to calm it down, it cost them later in the

race in the previous week. The team from Australia, coached by Gary

Sutton. The coach for Great Britain, a winner of a gold medal for team

pursuit in Beijing himself, Paul Manning, there is nothing he does

not know about this discipline. Both squads are looking very

polished at the moment. We will get an idea of the tempo when they come

to complete the opening kilometre. We would expect the British team to

be behind at this stage, and I that is good news, because they pasted

beautifully this morning. They are behind, but by less than in the

qualifying ride. That is a fast opening kilometre by Australia,

they are well inside world record pace, and it is going to take an

amazing world record by Australia to deny Great Britain a gold medal.

Well, have they gone off too quickly? That's what happened in

the qualifying round this morning. The Great Britain team, coached by

Paul Manning, on scheduled, riding to a perfectly agreed pace. The

Australians, well, they have gone off really quickly. You can see the

coach indicating to them how much they are trailing by, but there is

no panic at the moment. Just to underline what Chris Boardman said,

have Australia gone off too quickly? But the crowd are getting

behind Australia, and Great Britain are starting to get about chipping

away at the advantage now. Well, they have not got far to go. They

are taking it back at a tenth per lap at the moment. They will have

to increase that rate if they are going to take the title. But there

are going in the right direction. The difference is now 0.8 of the

second, at the midway point. We are into the final four laps. The crowd

are cheering the Australians on. Here comes Great Britain, it is

getting closer, it is half a second, coming down all the time! This is

going to come down too, did the Australians start too quickly? It

was the fastest ever start, I think. They may pay the price. Great

Britain have gone ahead! They have got it. This trio of youngsters

pedalling around the boards here, silky smooth, giving us a stellar

performance, coming up to the line. Great Britain are really tapping

out an unbeatable with them. Keep an eye on the clock. Are we going

to see another world record? Great Britain winding up for the gold

medal. That world record that they set this morning, will it go? Here

they come up to the line. Great Britain take the gold medal! Look

at the time, I do not believe it, Australia settle for silver. Great

Britain didn't panic. They allowed Australia to take the race on and

then when the time came they slowly chipped away at the advantage.

takes a lot of confidence to start like that in the world title race.

Not to look at the other team. When I saw the opening slom ter from

Australia I thought that's it, that's -- opening kilometre from

Australia, I thought that's it, that's what you want to do. They

paid the price in that last kilometre. That is the fastest

opening I've seen in women's team pursuiting. Joanna Rowsell, Laura

Trott and Dani King have won the world 3,000 metre world pursuit

title. It really was a polished performance. A stellar performance.

They held the line absolutely perfectly. That really is the way

to do it. Look at the face on King here as they gulps in the air up

front. She was astonished. She put her hand over her mouth as they

crossed the line. They rode the same as they did in qualification

but another team a few seconds in front punched the air. That makes a

difference. The Australians went out hard. You rode a very

consistent ride today. That was our plan London we did similar, went

out fast and came out towards the end. We changed our strategy and

decided to come out steadier today and it paid off. We are over the

Moon. Dani, when you are aware the crowd cheering the Australians,

they built up a lead and to hear it go deathly silence you must have

realised you were on top of it. that was pulling us to go faster

and we dug in. As Jo said we did a consistent ride and kept the speed

until the end. That's our winning strategy. It paid off. We are over

the Moon. You took a second off that world record that you set in

equal. Yeah. I don't know how we did that. The girls are amazing. We

rode a perfect race I guess. So bring on the Olympics. We saw

something close to the perfect race from the guys yesterday. That

inspired you all but it must be special to be part of this team and

to be riding so well Laura? Definitely. We've really nailed

pace control. Yesterday was such an inspiration, so it was good to come

out here and show them what we can do too. You were a bit poorly after

the race. Nobody is in any doubt how much effort all of you put into

this. I was flat out sprinting. I swung off and thought, "Please

don't drop me, get me to the finish." Obviously we tried so hard

to win it. It was nice that it paid off. What do you think this sends

out as a message to everybody else looking forward to London? It's a

really strong message. They've got to beat us now, like, we haven't

lost a competition since Manchester World Cup last year, so it is like

going to be our track. It definitely puts a strong message

out from. Geraint Thomas said he thigs the men's pursuit team can go

faster, do you think there is more to come from this group? Definitely.

We are a young team. We are seeing imprompts in training. There is

more to come. It is a bit special to win in Australia isn't it?

beat them on their home turf, a lot of them are commentating that they

have got the home support but we've beaten them. An outstanding

performance from the British women. What have we learned about the

British team in Australia? That it will be very hard to break into

this team. Wendy Houvenaghel is well capable but isn't getting into

it. They rode so strongly in qualifying, a consistent ride.

Nobody made a mistake. They were very confident. We saw at the start

how controlled they were, but it was controlled ferocity. Towards

the end they got it all out but it was beautifully executed. They took

a second off the world record. It is going to take a word record to

win that gold medal in London isn't it? Certainly, the world record is

going to go again. I think Paul is a fantastic coach for them. He has

the experience, so he gets their respect, but his character, he can

deal with the ups and downs of a team. In the kilometre race Nimke

equaled the record of Sir Chris Hoy. And Russia grabbed gold in the

final sprint, with Ryan taking bronze. The first Irish woman ever

to win a World Championship medal on the track.

While some of you may know all about the omnium others may be

wondering if it is a proper word. It is new to the Olympics this year.

It is a six-events competition for all-rounders. A bit like a

decathlon on wheels. The win we are scores one point, the second two

and so on. The rider with the fuest points at the end is the champion.

Look out for the elimination race, an old velodrome favourite where

the last over the line is knocked out. The two riders left sprint for

Ed Clancy is going to have to move up. Efforts like this can take a

lot of strength out of you. He has moved up at the right time. At the

back it is Hansen of Denmark. Hansen of Denmark will be out this

time. I think he made a mistake there. He was coming over the top.

He was tired and he paused. You can't do that on the outside.

they called Pere zerks out of Argentina. -- Perez. I think Clancy

might be cooked now. He's working hard and he's in a dangerous

position. He is moving up. A good move there. It should be Hansen

this time, number 17. In my opinion they called the wrong man out

before. Ten riders left in this elimination

race, the third counting discipline in the men's omnium competition. Ed

Clancy is still in the hunt for a good finishing position. He is in

the middle but he's being squeezed to the back. Clancy is right at the

back. If you cross the Ryan last you are out. Clancy is over the

line last. Clearly heavily fatigues. Ed Clancy is eliminated. An early

exit for Clancy, which gave his rivals the chance to capitalise.

That was close. It might have been Hook. It is the Belgian, we are

He doesn't realise. I think he has just had enough actually. His legs

have exploded. We've got two left. It is Coquard and O'Shea of

Australia. He's ridden a very good race.

wins it will take his tally to nine. If he is second it will take his

tally to ten. The crowd are getting behind O'Shea of Australia. Coquard

beginning to lead this one from the front. This Frenchman is amazing.

The winner of the World Cup, he is going to win the third discipline,

the elimination. He wince and gets the wrong point. Second is O'Shea

of Australia. He gets two points. What it means now at the midway

point, after three disPalestinians, three more to come tomorrow, it is

O'Shea of Australia with ten points In the fourth event, the individual

pursuit, Clancy finished third behind Bell and Hans enso was in

bronze medal position with two races left.

Event five was the scratch race. Clancy came second, but six riders

Hansen of Denmark starting on the left of our screen against Ed

Clancy, who is currently fourth. Clancy needs a really good time

here. It could put him in with a serious chance of making the podium.

A good start by Clancy. Fastest opening lap. Trademark start by

Clancy. He's controlling it because he knows he has to go further than

he usually goes. We can expect at least a two I think from Clancy.

is still leading. 33.035. Hansen will have to surrender his position

of third overall, because the better work is coming from Clancy.

Hansen has raised his game and he's showing the third quickest time.

Clancy looking forward line. It is a 1: 01.09. That's the fastest time

so far. If he wins this kilometre that will take his tally up to 29.

But Hansen's time of 1..03.01 means he is lying second. If that remains

that way his points should take him to 28. Clancy would be denied one

place on the podium by one point. He couldn't have done more than

that. I thought he would do a quick two. I didn't think after the team

pursuit event he would be able to produce a time that in the past has

won the open kilometre event. final heat of the men's kilometre

time tribal in the omnium. On the left it is Zac Bell of Canada. On

the back extradite it is glen Bell, that could be costly if he

can't raise his game. O'Shea has started very well. He's got the

good leg speed, the Australian. He is starting to lift his pace here,

Bell of Canada, but O'Shea is leading. He's got the better of the

can andian at the moment. He has to maintain this to woin the omnium

Championship. -- win. This ride by Bell could be costly it it could

drop him out of silver medal position. O'Shea of Australia is

second. His tally will go up to 22 points, so theover all world

The rules say it has to go back to the timed events, but I'm told that

Hansen's times add up to less than Clancy, and so he is going to get

the bronze medal. I'm going to let the points slide in the elimination

race at the end of the first day. O'Shea was going really strong.

Will it be hard to give away seven points and get them back today. It

proved away. I think the Danish lad raised his game. There is nothing I

can do about that. A good pursuit today as well. If you look at the

total number of points it is a pretty low-scoring event for me. It

is the way the dice rolls. You can be on top form and still get fifth

place. I wouldn't have traded the win in the team person suit for

anything. But it was shame to miss After breaking the world record in

the team sprint, Victoria Pendleton found only disappointment in the

event where she is the Olympic champion. She was knocked out in

the semi-finals of the sprint by Anna Meares. I feel in better shape

than I was in London, definitely. I still feel I have got a long way to

go, so I'm not pinning all my hopes and dreams on the World

Championships, because I know that by the Olympics, hopefully we will

have taken another step forward. It was always my goal to peak in

August, but I am going to give it a really good shot. I have beaten her

more times than she has beaten me, over our ten-year history of racing

together. So I should take confidence from that. I think the

last couple of times that we have come up against one another, I have

not been feeling my best. I do not like to make excuses, I hate that,

but I know on a good day, I think I have got the match. So, it is

difficult. The size of the task facing Victoria this week soon

became evident, as Meares broke the world record for the flying 200 in

qualifying. Pendleton was less than her best in the opening rounds, but

she made it through to the semi- finals, where she ran into Anna

HUGH PORTER: The last time they met was in the test event in London,

and Pendleton was beaten by Meares in the semi-finals - I wonder if

that will be on her mind. The team sprint was also something of a

disappointment, after London. But we have seen have bounced back

before. Well, let's hope she can do it here, it is so important. This

is the competition everybody wanted to see for the final, but there we

go, they are meeting at the semi- final stage. Getting towards the

sharp end here in he'd one, race 1. Pendleton looks as though she's

going to need this one out from the front. Yes, she is committed,

exactly as you predicted, Chris Boardman. She needs to get that

high leg speed. But coming on to her shoulder now, Meares.

Pendleton's working really hard. And there's a crash in the

finishing straight. Meares wins the first race, and Pendleton has slid

all the way down the finishing straight. I don't know what

happened exactly. CHRIS BOARDMAN: It was a touching

of elbows, actually, and of course, that's your steering. Of course, it

was not intentional, Anna Meares really did not want that to happen.

They were so committed to getting to the line first, they were

absolutely on top speed, and of course, Victoria Pendleton went

down. Let's have another look at this. Coming around the outside,

Meares, you can see how close together they are. Elbows touching.

Oh, it was actually Pendleton. She just came out of the sprint line,

it was not Anna Meares's fault. put her hand up to say as much.

You're right, Chris, she came out of the sprinter's line. That's

where they touched, and down she went. It just takes the weight off

the front wheel long enough, that it all goes away. The result will

stand, but how shook up is Victoria Pendleton? Well, Pendleton has come

back from one down before and taken CHRIS BOARDMAN: Very different

types of rider as well. Anna Meares, all power. Victoria Pendleton, a

more spindly form, good power to weight ratio. But Meares is in

imperious form, and of course, she is inspired, riding in front of her

home crowd. Formerly from Queensland, now based in Adelaide.

Pendleton performed well at the front, I'm wondering if she wants

to try that again. She has started to gain some height, to give

herself the element of surprise, you have the opportunity to dive

down the back and get a fast acceleration. Now, then, can

Victoria Pendleton win the second race and forced this one in to a

decider? Well, she is putting the soreness and the bruises behind her,

and she must be sought. Here we go. Here comes the challenge from

Victoria Pendleton. Can she get round Meares? No, she sat up.

Meares clenches her fist, 2-0, she said. That's a sweet victory, going

into the final. Well, she did come outside of the sprinter's line, it

was marginal, it did not look intentional, but she came out by

some degree. It definitely had an impact on Victoria Pendleton. It

you be interesting to see how the judges' view that. It used to be,

when they hit the last 200 metres, you had to stay inside the line,

but it is actually now, one the sprint is launched. Well, we can

see that the sprint is well under way, and she drifts quite well

outside, putting her opponent off track. So, let's wait and see what

happens. There was nearly a collision. The computer is showing

that Meares has won 2-0 to go into the final. The judges are

conferring in the middle. Well, there has been a change, and Meares

has been relegated, and Pendleton has been awarded a victory in the

second race. So, we're going to get a decider. Speed building already,

we have still got more than two laps to go in this race. Victoria

Pendleton would like to keep that front position this time. Meares

building the height and starting to accelerate. Pendleton is the more

pure sprinter, Meares from a 500m time-trial background. 1.5 laps to

time-trial background. 1.5 laps to go. The atmosphere here, electric.

Oh, Meares has gone for the inside position, and you said you would

have liked to have seen Pendleton going from the front in this one.

They almost clashed again. Now, then, Meares still watching where

Pendleton is. Half a lap to go. Here comes the reaction from

Pendleton. Five times the world Pendleton. Five times the world

champion, from Great Britain! I think Meares may have got it, it is

going to be a photo finish. It is showing Victoria Pendleton on the

screen, but it was very, very close indeed. It was extremely close. The

crowd do not know who to applaud. The screen shows Pendleton, but I

would like to see a side shot. have seen it change before. Let me

just tell you, it is now showing Pendleton as the winner. She has

beaten Meares 2-1. Celebrations in the British camp down by the side

of the track. Psychologically, that will be a fantastic bonus for

Pendleton. I said she gets fatigue as the competition goes on, and I

think just trying to intimidate her there. Muted applause in the arena,

Chris! Here's a chance to have a look again. This reminded me, when

the first used to ride against each other, and she used to try and ruff

a wrap. I think that was the wrong thing to do here. That gave her

this park, the aggression, to say, right, I'm not having that, and she

chased that wheel. You can see Victoria Pendleton's face, and she

was not going to let that one go. No, she said, I am going to win

this, I have been there five times world champion, and I am the

current Olympic champion, you're not going to stop me going through

to the final. But that's how close it was. Let's have a look at the

How close can you get? Pendleton goes through to the final. In the

other semi-final, the Lithuanian Simona Krupeckaite went through.

Anna Meares had to settle for bronze. Victoria Pendleton has gone

on record as saying, winning the gold medal in London is the most

important ambition for her. And to win the world title here on the way

would certainly do a lot to reboot her confidence. This of course is

A lot of hike there. Got to be careful now. Well, it will be the

bell this time. Pendleton, obviously, full of confidence, keen

to lead this one out and try and hauled off the challenge of Simona

Krupeckaite. Can she do it? Shoulder to shoulder, into the

finishing straight, and I think finishing straight, and I think

Pendleton got the better of that encounter. She takes the first race.

She rose to the challenge, Chris, and delivered, it is all about

gaining the higher ground, and she did that. She just about had that

one under control. She knew she had She must have had such an emotional

boost after that last ride. But Simona Krupeckaite Road well.

did, it was not easy. It was when the test of strength was put under

pressure. This is when it happened, shoulder to shoulder, and Pendleton

would not surrender. This is where she won the contest. You can see

the extra run you get to the line, coming down from that extra height.

It gives the person on the outside that extra edge. This is the second

race in the women's sprint final, between Simona Krupeckaite and her

opponent, from Great Britain, Victoria Pendleton. Pendleton is

one up, having won the first race. There is a certain amount of

nostalgia about this sprint, because this is the final time

Victoria Pendleton will race in a World Championship. And it would be

really wonderful for her if she could sign off with her sixth world

title. I can remember Victoria Pendleton when she was an up and

coming rider, and suddenly she made his breakthrough, to becoming the

best in the world. She has been there ever since. It really is

something. Staggering performance, and when the first one came, in

2005, in Los Angeles... As did Mark Cavendish, his first world title on

the track. That's right, and I must admit, ever since she hit the deck,

when she collided with Meares in that semi-final, she has been fired

up, it has really inspired her. laps to go now. That crash has

reignited her ambition and determination. I think it was the

moment when she was roughed up by Meares as well. You are right. We

have always know what a fantastic sprinter she is. Now, then, is she

going to put Simona Krupeckaite away in this final lap? Will she

win the sixth world title of her career in sprinting? Pendleton is

coming up on to her shoulder. This is Victoria Pendleton, in imperious

form, showing that she is going to win the crown of her life. I don't

think she has done it. It looks like Simona Krupeckaite took the

second race. It was very close. That has surprised me. Pendleton

challenged, but it goes to Simona Krupeckaite. Well, Pendleton was

desperate to make that happen, but Simona Krupeckaite rode it well,

she controlled that race. We have seen more than once that if you get

hold up on that final banking, you're probably doing an extra

three or four metres in distance, which is a long way in a

competition as closely fought as this. She desperately wanted to do

it in two races. Just lost it in Simona Krupeckaite was controlling

it well, just holding Victoria Pendleton up. She did not come out

of the sprinter's line. Victoria Pendleton actually rode up the

track a bit, which takes speed off. It was a good, clean sprint, though,

It was a good, clean sprint, though, But then drama in track centre.

Amazing news coming through here, that Krupeckaite has actually been

relegated from that second clash with Pendleton. It means that

Victoria Pendleton is now the world's sprint champion for the

sixth time. In fact the infraction took place

with 150 metres to go. She didn't hold her line, hence the relegation

for Krupeckaite. Emotion spilling over foreVictoria Pendleton. She

wins the world print title. That equals the other record of six.

What a day of high drama. Reaction to your 6th sprint world title.

very pleased with the result, obviously. Not necessarily the kind

of way I would like to win in an ideal scenario. With relegations

and stuff it feels weird, not true to the sport, but they're the rules.

It's weird. Definitely a bit weird. I'm delighted obviously with the

result. To be honest I didn't think it was going to happen today.

was that? I was disappointed with the team sprint. I felt like die

have done a better job. Picking myself up from this is hard. It has

been an emotional roller coaster today. That crash took a lot for

you to get back up on your bike. We can see the damage that's been done.

It is not too bad. What happened? lost my balance. Sometimes when you

are really giving it everything and going for the line, you can sense

your opponent. I Lent a -- I leaned a bit too far in the wrong

direction. How significant is this win for you here leading into the

Olympics, particularly the win against Anna Meares? It's given me

a lot of confidence. I thought this was going to be a stepping stone. I

was hopeful I might do a better sprint performance than I did in

London at the World Cup. I feel like I've fulfilled that and got

the bonus of a world title, so I'm more than pleased. I know I was

crying, but I'm delighted. Anna, it is a brutal sport. I know you

wanted to give the crowd something to cheer about. A bronze was not

what you were hoping for. colour I wanted. I would have

dearly loved to have one my second crown in Melbourne but it wasn't

the be. I'm getting sick of meeting Vicki in the semifinal. It is

making it really hard. But amazing racing. It really was hard-fought

racing tonight. As much as I wanted to be the champion, I'm not. This

year it's Vicki. For her to pick herself up that have heavy fall and

come back as hard as she did, it is the mark of the woman and the great

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE What a night of drama and emotion

here after Victoria Pendleton claims that sixth world sprint

title. If we were being absolutely honest, she didn't see that one

coming. She didn't. And nor did her coach either. It came as a surprise

to everybody. I think the moment that she got it was when Anna

Meares started to push around the track. Anna lost herself the world

title that the moment, because Victoria Pendleton forgot about

everything else and thought, "You are not doing that to me." You

could see her face change. It was a fantastic ride. To get back up on

her bike after a very big smash. sounds counter intuitive but

sometime as crash did help, because it takes away the nerves, and you

get one a clear head. Not something that you can really plan for but it

is not always a huge disadvantage. But psychologically on the third

ride, having seen Anna Meares relegated, she still got up and

beat her. That was crucial. It was getting towards tents of a long,

traumatic day -- towards the end of a long, traumatic day. That have

she knew she could do it. If you push Anna Meares to three rides,

off that's the result you will get? Yes. Anna Meares has showed that

historically she does die offer doesn't back up well, and the

longer the series continues the more jaded she gets. Will it be an

upset for her. Krupeckaite was relegate. It is not often you can

come to a sprint Championship, lose more rides nan you win and still

become a world champion. That's the nature of the whole day. So many

surprises for so many different people. It was great. After such a

hard fight to site come to an end. The women's omnium was an

unexpected headline grabber in the London test event, due to Laura

Trott's elimination race. Everyone was talking abit. Every time there

was an elimination sprint she made a last-ditch attempt to stay in the

race. It was only a race. I do it every day. It was weird. Such

brinkmanship brought the house down but it probably wasn't the way to

ride a race. At the time it seemed the easiest way. I couldn't be

bothered with the whole keep chasing every time the wave of

people came over. I thought I would keep popping people. It seemed

easier. Can Trott respond? Laura Trott wins the elimination and

there's a standing ovate. Unbelievable. I love id. Ever since

junior world's I've loved it the drama didn't end. She was ill

during our post-race interview. I've got a high acid level so after

a race the acid comes up and makes me sick. I'm used to it now. I like

the feeling with after. I want to get it over. It doesn't hit me

until I stop and then I get the feeling then. Trott started

strongly second in the flying lap. A late burst ensured she kept that

Good move by Laura Trott. This is indicative of her efforts in London.

She could be eliminating Edmondson here. I think it's Hammer of the

USA. Hammer is out. That will be quite costly for Hammer.

She really is superb at riding this events. She's riding well, Laura

Trott. This isn't fatigue. We've learned she is happy in that

position. She knows how to do the final position. Six riders left.

Laura Trott, textbook riding of the elimination. Looks like the Kiwi is

out. Coming into this third event in

11th position. If we look at the riders left on

the track, five, the worst Trott could finish is fifth, which would

give her five point to carry forward. A total of 15. She is

making a good start here on day one of the women's omnium.

Edmondson again could be in trouble here. Laura Trott has boxed her in.

I reckon Edmondson is out. Well, she should be. There's silence here.

Grs a gas inspect the Arena. Edmondson is out. A light applause

there. They are not happy with that. Trott is boxing her opponents and

almost choosing who it is that's going out next time. She could woo

be fifth, Edmondson in the event, so her points will be 11.

If Trott could win this and get one she would be tiing with Edmondson.

She's in with a great chance. Whitten the world champion is out.

Fantastic riding here. She's almost selected the people to be limb nait.

What about a special medal for courage. The rider from Poland had

a crash at the start and in front of her is the Russian.

The crash victim has had enough. She's eased back and these two will

go through to contest the top position.

Russia versus Great Britain. Trott had a second in the flying lap and

8th in the point race. Suddenly it's a match sprint situation.

Trott wanted to be in the back. I think she will want to lead out now.

The Russian and Trott are going to sprint this out for the elimination.

Trott has aspect excellent chance of becoming the joint leader but

she needs to read this event. Trott trying to hold off the Russian into

the finishing straight. Yes! Laura Trott wins the elimination event.

The third counting discipline of women's omnium. She scores one

point to take her tally to 11. That means she's tying with Edmondson of

Australia. Equal first after the first day of the omnium. Very good.

That was textbook. She's ahead that event her own. He is the one rider

who looks utterly comfortable in that environment. She's found a

solution, a formula if you like, to get through it and start to

influence her opponents' races. Laura Trott after day one. Let me

reiterate her consistency. 2ened in the flying lap. 8th in the points

In the fourth event, the individual pursuit, Trott finished third

She's struggling but she's into the slipstream now.

We've got just seven laps remaining. It is all over the place.

highest ten riders are clear, so the best that any of the rest can

finish is 11th in this. If Trott got 11, her points tally would go

do 25. The groups are even.

There is no extra points for gaining a lap. It is all about the

win here. I don't fancy being one of the judges and having to sort

this out if they do come back. Edmondson is having a go. She's

going up to the poll. Edmondson doesn't like it. She's beginning to

apply pressure and Trott is going with her as well. Five laps to go.

Whitten and Happener is there as well. They've marked each other out.

I think they've all decided that if one goes the other will go. Trott

is watching it carefully. Edmondson is watching it carefully. Edmondson

again having a crack. They are going to pick up that one. The best

Edmondson could finish is 9th. Trott is confident. She doesn't

want to continue with the pace Sarah Hammer has gone to the front.

Hammer will be quite happy to try Annette Edmondson desperately needs

that point, but Trott has got to hold her off. The Spanish athlete

has won the scratch race. The main race was taken by Sarah Hammer.

think Laura Trott managed to get think Laura Trott managed to get

over the top, so that's great news for her. That means she will have a

two-point window over the Australian, when they ride the

final time trial. You have to remember that Edmonton and Trott

already had a lead, they had something of a buffer, it was the

right thing to do to just watch each other. There are the standings.

The top four, the suspected big players in this competition, who

will ride it out in the two-lap time trial, the final discipline,

and Laura Trott, in a very strong position. Of course, in New Delhi,

in the Commonwealth Games, Tara Whitten won the gold medal for the

time trial, so she is very versatile. Here we go, two laps of

the track, and Sarah Hammer is a real fighter. It is a tough job for

anybody to get around her. Good start also by Tara Whitten, who won

the individual pursuit. But Sarah Hammer is also powering away. What

can they offer here in the second lap? Both riders committing

themselves totally, because the bronze medal could hang on this

performance. What a contest. Here they come, and the winner at is

Sarah Hammer. So, what it means now is that Sarah Hammer will maintain

her bronze medal position, or higher, depending on the result of

the last two. She is very pleased with that ride, it is obviously

what she was expecting. Laura Trott has a two-point advantage over

Annette Edmondson. So, it is Laura Trott's to lose. Exactly. So, two

laps of the track to decide the We are away. Both of them getting a

good start. Look at the determination of young Laura Trott,

as they go into the back straight. Both riders now totally committed,

settling down into the aerodynamic position, and coming back to the

original starting station. What a start by Laura Trott! Fastest we

have had so far. She has got half a lap to go. A second world title of

these championships is waiting for her. Here she comes. Laura Trott

finishes! That's the fastest in the 500m time trial, and it means that

one point, added to the 27 she has already got, gives Laura Trott the

world omnium title. Silver goes to Annette Edmondson. What a finish by

Annette Edmondson, she was coming back really fast, it might have

been a different story if there was another half a lap. But Laura Trott

knew what she needed to do. Such a skilful bike rider, this is a

perfect event for her. So, she gets it right. Let's have a look at the

start. Throwing her weight forward as the gate opens, it takes a lot

of courage to get that right. Not a lot of the competitors did that

here. She chose a low gear as well which really got her off to a good

start. Look at that. You have to realise just how fast she is going

here. She is still holding it underneath that black line to do

the minimum distance possible. Let's not forget, this is one of

the Olympic distances in London. Let me talk you through what Laura

Trott has done over the two days. First in the elimination, third in

the individual pursuit, first in the time-trial, that's why she is a

winner. 28 point. What a contest. Well, congratulations. 144 hormones.

You knew exactly what you had to do in that last effort. -- wonderful

performance. Definitely. I have never been in that position, going

into the last event in the lead. It was a bit like, really hard on my

head, thinking, what should I do? But I got myself fired up for it,

and that was that. At what point did you think, I have almost got my

hand on the jersey? After the scratch race. Before the scratch

race, I was really nervous. It is so hit-and-miss. I just needed to

be one place ahead of the Australian, which I did. And then

even finishing just behind her in this would have been enough.

were stuck to her like blue right through that scratch race. Yes, I

was just thinking, don't let her get ahead of me. -- like glue.

kind of message are you sending out going into London? A pretty strong

one, to be honest. I did not expect to do this well, but to come here

and win the omnium, it is massive for me, I am over the moon. I think

you have always won gold, you have never got silver or bronze, which

bodes well... Definitely, I think I am setting myself up well for

London. There is little doubt that Laura Trott will be one of the

superstars of the London Olympics, and at just 52 kilograms, she has

to be one of the most valuable riders, pound for pound, on this

programme. And I think it was you who pointed out that at senior

level, she has only had gold medals. That event, she is making it her

own. She has got sprint and endurance, the only one she really

does not like very much his the points race, where she finished

eighth. Incredibly consistent. I think she is odds-on favourite.

is worth the money alone to watch her in that elimination race.

how she manages to do it, there is no over the shoulder or anything,

she looks to be boxed in, but then suddenly, she is through. She is so

brave. Yes, she has got that little gallop that makes the difference,

she can just sprint. She sits at the back and just waits, she is so

in control. It is a shame that the elimination race is not a world

title race in its own right. The auditing is that she can do that,

but at the other end, she can ride fantastic pursued as well. You

could see that was clear in the 500 metres. Just consistent across the

the first three riders in each heat will qualify for the finals. The

others will go into the mind a final. There's the line-up for the

second heat. -- minor final. So, second heat. -- minor final. So,

2.5 laps to go, in the second heat of the women's keirin. So, Victoria

Pendleton, absolutely fired up. She has not got to this stage of the

competition easily, she had to win her way back into it earlier this

afternoon. Look at this, Victoria Pendleton, who has been the world

champion before, is taking it on from the front. Here comes the

challenge from the German. Now, Pendleton has got to cling to

fourth is she can. She is not going to do it. Sanchez takes it, and the

Chinese athlete just nipped in to take third. Well, she ran out of

steam, Chris. She did, I was surprised that she went to the

surprised that she went to the surprised that she went to the

surprised that she went to the front. Just the pace is not quite

there at the moment. Victoria Pendleton goes through to the minor

final. We move now on to the minor final of the keirin. Victoria

Pendleton is lining up in this one. 2.5 laps to go. These competitors

are racing for their classification places, from seventh through to 12.

First to make a move is Simona Krupeckaite. Kaarle McCulloch is

trying to go through as well. The French rider also trying to make an

effort. Pendleton has been squeezed towards the back. I'm wondering if

she is going to get involved. She has got a long way to go. I don't

think she is going to bother. The French rider takes it. Victoria

Pendleton comes in at the tail-end. So, let's move on to this final.

Coming up to the line, with three Here comes the move from the other

Chinese rider. The Chinese are riding this very well as a team.

Here comes the attack from the outside, from Sanchez, of France.

Here comes Meares, using that awesome power and speed of hers.

She has got a free run, nobody in front of her. And electric bass of

Meares is surely going to line her up for gold. And the crowd go wild!

It is the victory she has been waiting for throughout the whole of

these Championships, and she has delivered! There's a standing

ovation for Anna Meares. It is a popular victory, with us as well.

She has gone to a lot of heartache in the last 48 hours. She has got a

clear run here, nobody in her way. Once that happens, not many can

stop Anna Meares. This is the moment when I thought she was in

difficulty, when she was going right around the outside. This is

where the Chinese made a mistake, they should have held her out there,

but they didn't. And she knew, as they came into the final banking,

Many congratulations, I think we could all see what that meant for

you. You ask, it meant a lot. To win a world title in front of your

home crowd, and for me, especially after feeling so disappointed

yesterday with my sprint result, to come out and perform like that, I'm

so pleased. You really had to work for it as well, I think the Chinese

had a plan to block you out. I knew it was going to be very difficult,

they're all very strong from the front. I had the most dangerous

riders in front of me, I knew that. I just wanted to see which way they

were going to go. I just decided, that was my time to go, I committed,

and I had to fight all the way to the finish line. I just backed

myself. You can see the effect that a home crowd can have, and I guess

the British riders will be hoping they can get a bit of that in

London. Absolutely, in the London World Cup, it was goose bumps when

a British rider was announced, and when they were showing form, we

stood there in awe of the noise which came from the British crowd.

That's why the whole team was so excited to come and race in

Melbourne. It gives you a lift. I needed his morale boost to help me

going into London, on your home Four years ago, in the wake of

Chris Hoy's Olympic sprint gold, his coach said, if they had not

found anyone to replace him by 2012, they would not have done their job

properly. Four years on, Jason Kennedy is challenging Chris Hoy

for his spot, but at the London World Cup, the Scotsman reigned

supreme, and his coaches know he is Does that put you in the becomes

seat? Do you feel you've almost got your name on that starting place in

the sprint? I don't this so. This weekend will be significant in

terms of the selection for the sprint. It's not even close to

being over yet. Jason has a lot left to in him to show you. He's

had a disappointing season so far but has come into form at the right

time. Obviously the team's always been our main focus, big a time

trial event. So I'm still focusing on that for the minute and

concentrating on getting quicker. Hopefully come the world's I will

be a bit more competitive. Chris is going well in training every day,

looking really strong, so by the world's he will be a force to be

reckoned with. Hopefully I will be able to put up a challenge.

can't waste energy or time thinking about one individual. I share a

room with the guy. We train together every day. He's a great

bloke, we are friends, but on the track it doesn't matter. You are

doing everything you can to win the race. He's going well. He's got his

back up now. He could be a real challenge. He isn't going to take

it lying down. The speeds shown in qualifying had seldom been seen

before and Hoy need all his power to cut through round one when

mechanism of New Zealand caught him napping. He found his way to the

quarterfinals via the repechage. The theme continued in the last

eight. Hoy got the better of Robert Foerstemann by the tightest of

margins. Kenny saw off Kevin Sireau of France. This is the line up for

race one, the men's sprint semifinal. Jason Kenny, the world

champion, versus Sir Chris Hoy, the Olympic champion.

It could be the best of three should it be required to go that fa

Hoy was stretched by Foerstemann of Germany. Just two extra rides.

that going to tell? Looking at the passage of this stage for Kenny,

straight through in the 16 finals but in the quarterfinals he was

taken to three, but he beat Kevin Sireau comfortably. That could be

telling. I think the overnight rest probably helps even it out, but it

is still more racing than he would do. Very unusual to see him in a

repechage. He rode it magnificently. Sir Chris

Hoy here, the second spot. He know Who is going to win race one? Kenny

looks as if he is going to take it on early. Kenny beginning to ignite

the burners. Hoy trying to get up on to the shoulder of Kenny. Kenny

holding his line well. Tapping out the rhythm, on the line, from where

I'm calling it, it looked like Kenny had got it. Coming up on our

compute they are Sir Chris Hoy got it. Very close indeed. What do you

think Chris? From here, yes I thought that was the case. It went

to Jason Kenny. They keep doing that to us. We are in front of the

line, so it is difficult. World champion Jason Kenny left of our

screen against Sir Chris Hoy, the current loich champion. Work to do

for Hoy -- current Olympic champion. Work to do for Hoy.

He fought Valiently though. Made a small mistake. Hoy tried to

capitalise that by using the bank and staying up longer. Running up

needs to bring in that awesome carved out a handsome margin. Kenny,

looking to try and close it down. Kenny takes it. Jason Kenny, the

world champion, goes through to the final. He beats the Olympic

champion, Sir Chris Hoy. That was a superb piece of sprinting. He will

now race against Mickael Bourgain. Sir Chris Hoy did the right thing.

Kenny's confidence. David down and was able to use the slipstream. It

was clear in the back straight, you could see the closing speed, that

he was going to do it. Just the sharper of the two. The question I

will ask you, Chris, do you think it will help the coaches when they

make the selection for London? Only one sprint ler go? I said at the

World Cup in London I wouldn't like to be the person to say to Sir

Chris Hoy, "You're not riding the sprint." Kenny will race Gregory

Bauge. The same final as last year. Crunch time in the men's sprint

competition. Let's hope that Sir Chris Hoy has

got enough in the tank to take this this world Championship.

Perkins is very fiery. He won't be fazed by the reputation

of Sir Chris Hoy. He is going to have a real go here. He sat up on

both occasions against Bauge. He decided he hadn't got a chance but

here he feels he may be able to stretch Sir Chris Hoy. Perkins on

the side of Sir Chris Hoy, but Hoy is powerful. He's come out of the

sprinter's line on two occasions there. Did he take the line from

Perkins? We may hear more about that, Chris. It wasn't done on

purpose, but the way the judges have been incredibly strict, we may

see that ruled out. That bump that pushed him off balance. I would say

that it wasn't Sir Chris Hoy's fault. He was pushed and then

drifted out. He was intimidated really wasn't he? Just to confirm,

the result stands and coi coi coi is one up.

- and Sir Chris Hoy is one up. Gregory Bauge against Jason Kenny.

This is a repeat of the final last year in Apeldoorn in the

Netherlands. On that occasion Kenny didn't have an answer for the

awesome power of Bauge. The early stages of this sprint

competition for Bauge was just a training exercise. Nobody has been

able to stretch him. His imperious form is like a beak con. Kenny is

24, from Bolton. A former world sprint champion, judge. Junior.

Are we looking at the man who will represent our country in the London

you sprint against him. Every move being watched by the cope. Two laps

remaining. They are going slow. Nobody wants to pick it up at the

moment. What you can draw from this, Chris, is Bauge has a lot of

respect for Kenny. He knows he won't dismiss him easily.

This is where the nerves really do begin to jangle. 1.5 lapse to go

and these sprintsers are beginning to pick up the pace. Kenny has

opened a slight advantage. He nearly committed himself. Now he

has committed himself. Just over a lap to go. He hasn't applied full

gas, but now he has. Kenny is leading. Bauge, it is unbelievable.

He is so quick. Bauge, 10.4. He never looks as though he's trying.

He's the man on form. Hats off to Jason Kenny. He rode that

beautifully. But Bauge just has the power. Even coming out to the edge

to make him go the longest possible way around. There is no answer to

that at the moment. Sir Chris Hoy's astonishing career. Ten world title

reflecting. Both riders trying to outwith the other. Perkins keeping

a sharp eye on Hoy to see that he to set himself up to lead this one

out. The big, broad shoulders of Sir Chris Hoy like the Forth Bridge.

Very strong. Perkins in the back extradite. One-and-a-half laps to

Braveheart begins to get that gear spinning as he is going to try to

close down on Perkins and tidy up the bronze medal. Is Perkins going

to make ate contest that will be decided in three? We are into the

finishing straight. Perkins leading, here comes the challenge, a

clenched fist from Sir Chris Hoy. I've got the bronze medal. Hoy

takes it. It was cleanly fought and sportingly acknowledging Sir Chris

Hoy there is Shane Perkins. Perkins didn't ride that too well. He gave

him a leadout. With one lap to go he should have tried to stall Sir

Chris Hoy as he accelerated towards him, but he led him out beautifully.

Chris kept his height.Ed him down the track. As they came into the

back straight, accelerated up and down the ride. Sir Chris Hoy

slightly stronger than Perkins on this occasion. But tactically

better. Sir Chris Hoy wins 2-0 straight for

the bronze medal. Can Jason Kenny potential push Gregory Bauge the a

decider? Bauge has won race one and now Jason Kenny, the current world

champion harks now got to somehow or other outwit Bauge to take ate

to a decider that. There is the tactic. They've talked this through

and this is a fantastic move. Jason Kenny has decided to go for the

long one. He jump it is off the line and Bauge is on the back foot.

Bauge has got to catch Kenny. This is a total commitment by Kenny.

Kenny's beginning to tie up and so is Bauge. Bauge is coming up to the

shoulder of Kenny. They are both tiring. They are looking for the

line. Can Kenny do it? Kenny does it! It's one off. I think they

might get him on that little flick outside. Oh, no, please. It was

just sheer fatigue. I thought that Bauge was OK there but he was

nailed. I so hope they don't but they might have him on a

technyicality. They talked that through. Let's open that that

stands. This is the incident. Surely they are not going to

disqualify him for that. Incident is too strong a word. It didn't

affect the race. They had obviously talked the tactic through.

decision is coming through. You can lip-read, Chris? He doesn't look

happy. He doesn't want to have to say anything.

A great piece of camera work this. No, he is going to be relegated and

Bauge will be world champion, but what a fantastic effort.

The bo oorkss are ringing out in the Arena. The Aussies love a scrap

don't they. Chris, the bronze medal, how would you assess your

performance? I know you were hoping to get the rainbow Jersey on your

shoulders. I am a little bit disappointed. But it is not to take

anything from Jason or Gregory today. They were riding really well.

It is hard to put your finger on exactly when you are not 100%

what's the reason. Was it psychological or physical? You only

have to be a fraction off your best and it shows. Where do you feel you

are compared with London? Physically the same I think. Maybe

not quite as up for it as I was in London. It seems craze question

when it's a world chip. You think the experience would show you could

do it whenever you wanted to, perform at the top of your

abilities, but hopefully tomorrow I tonight to give me the impetus to

keep going. Was that the Olympic trial out there? I don't know. That

was the final one and the most important one. I've woon three of

the five events and a bronze here, and I missed another one through

illness. We'll have to wait and see. If Jason gets it he deserves it. He

worked really well tonight. Although Bauge won the gold medal

Jason gave himself something the think about. He did a really good

ride. Whoever gets the ride for Great Britain in the Olympics will

Jason, the relegation, what did you make of that? I was obviously on

the limits, I needed to be, to beat Bauge. It was hard, like I say, I

was on the limit, I was dying a death out there after three laps.

That's the way it is, rules are rules. You can see it on the video,

I cannot argue with it. Do you think you could have got him in a

further race? After a ride like that, it would have been 50-50, as

you could see, he was completely cream cracker, and I wasn't much

better myself. I was trying to put a brave face on it, but inside, I

was on fire. We only would have had about 10 minutes before the next

race, so it would have been a bit of a slog. You stepped on to a

higher podium place than Chris Hoy, was that the Olympic trial? Sun and

so. We were not told that. Every race leading up to the Olympics is

obviously important. We have both shown we can still raise at a good

level. There was nothing between us in the actual race. There is not a

lot more I can do now than just concentrate on getting quicker.

Selection wise, we will see what happens. After that grand finale,

we asked Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny if that was the Olympic trial we

witnessed - what did you make of it? I would not like to make a

decision, would you? At the moment I would probably give the edge to

Jason Kenny, but I would not want to be the person telling Chris Hoy.

We are looking at it right now, and this is the latest performance, but

we have still got months to go. You look back at the history, and you

would say, well, Chris Hoy has got the edge when it comes to dealing

with pressure and consistency. Jason is younger and coming forward,

I would not want to make the call. What about the tactics, and how to

take on Bauge? I think tonight, that was the only option. It was

just brilliant, it was so entertaining, if he had not drifted

outside of the budget, I think he would have still got it. I

understand that the tactic was that they were going to do that again to

him in the final. He was spent, he was in bits, it would have been

absolutely fantastic. In the men's points race, Ben Swift continued

where he had left off in the scratch race by winning the first

two sprints. In the closing stages he was in contention for another

gold. 13 laps to go in this men's 160 lap points race. And the

situation is very interesting. Leading is the Belgian cyclist, in

second place is Ben Swift. Now, we have got two sprints to go, and at

the moment the crowd were going wild because Cameron Meyer, of

Australia, has gone up to second place. Cameron Meyer at the moment

is sixth overall, so he is gambling everything to try to gain a lap and

get 20 points. We get to the line, Cameron Meyer takes the five in the

polled ultimate sprint. -- in the penultimate sprint. So, the race is

finely poised, one sprint to go. The Belgian cyclist is leading on

30. This is the race-winning move, this is what Cameron Meyer has been

this is what Cameron Meyer has been waiting for. He gets another 20

points on top of this, and suddenly, he is there. Everybody has worked

so hard, and taken such a gamble, but I don't think they will get him

back now. Is he going to do it, is he going to win this points race

title? They have got seven laps to go. Cameron Meyer and gate are

still clear. Amazing, can he win the world title in virtually the

last five laps? It is feasible. has got 100 metres to close. If he

can close that gap in the next 1.5 kilometres, he will win the world

title. The race is finely poised here. Gate and Cameron Meyer,

trying to get across the gap to get in the next group back, and he

could win the title here, if Cameron Meyer does not bridge the

Meyer, there is a standing ovation, they're all up giving him a round

of applause. Cameron Meyer has bridge, and gets the 20 point bonus.

That means Cameron Meyer is leading now. Gate has gone past as well,

with 28, amazing. This is for the bronze medal. If Ben Swift can get

the five points here, he will get 32 points, which would give him the

silver medal. Amazing. Here they come, Ben Swift is going to win the

sprint here. The Italian get the three points. What that means is

that Ben Swift, with those five points, has got the silver medal.