UCI World Track Cycling Championships, Day 2 Flash 2

New Zealand has won their second medal of the day with the women breaking the world record on the way to winning bronze in the team pursuit.

They beat off the challenge from USA to clock 4:21.552 which was faster than Australia’s gold medal ride and inside the previous world record set by Great Britain in Manchester last November.

 This follows the performance of Jesse Sergent who won the silver medal behind Taylor Phinney in the final, with the American successfully defending his world title in the 4000m individual pursuit.

UCI World Track Cycling Championships, Day 2 Qualifying Summary
New Zealand is assured of their first medal of the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen today.
Feilding rider Jesse Sergent qualified fastest in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit in a magnificent performance to become the first New Zealander to go under the four minute 16 second mark.
Sergent rode 4:15.988 and will take on brilliant American Taylor Phinney for the gold medal ride later in the morning.
Also through to a medal ride are the New Zealand women in the team pursuit, after qualifying third fastest behind surprise packets Australia and world champions Great Britain.
The New Zealand trio of Rushlee Buchanan (Te Awamutu), Alison Shanks (Dunedin) and Lauren Ellis (Hinds) clocked 3:24.405 and will take on USA, led by new individual pursuit world champion Sarah Hammer who were only 2/10ths of a second slower.
Triple world junior champion Sam Webster (Auckland) and Simon Van Velthooven (Palmerston North) are through to the second round in the men’s keirin. Webster was second in his heat while Van Velthooven won his repecharge to progress.
Details: www.bikenz.org.nz