trackcycling’s coverage of the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships continues and Day 2 of the Worlds is a busy one, but only three medals are handed out. The afternoon session sees the start of the Women’s Sprint and Men’s Omnium competitions (Flying Lap) – both of which conclude tomorrow – as well as the Women’s Team Pursuit qualifications. The Sprint continues to Quarter Final stage in the evening session along with the Omnium Points Race and Elimination. The Team Pursuit, Kilo and Women’s Points Race provide the medals.
trackcycling’s coverage of the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships is supported by Brooks Cycles
Women’s Points 25K Final
2011 Women’s Points Race World Champion Tatsiana Sharakova of Belarus didn’t quite recapture her form over the winter, but we think she’ll be in with a shout this time round. Kelly Druyts of Belgium is on good form and will be in with a shout, as will Jamila Machacova of the Czech Republic and Giorgia Bronzini of Italy – in for Elena Cecchini, the World Cup Series winner.
We think Druytsmight just have it this time – from Bronzini and Sharakova.
trackcycling predicition
GOLD Kelly Druyts (FRA)
SILVER Giorgia Bronzini (ITA)
BRONZE Tatsiana Sharakova (BLR)
Men’s Kilometre Time Trial
The Kilo has alternated between Stefan Nimke of Germany and Teun Mulder of the Netherlands over the last few years and, with the lack of focus on the event after its exclusion from the Olympics, there don’t seem to be much new talent emerging. Simon Van Velthooven of New Zealand has a chance to overturn the old order and might even scrape a Silver – as might Germany’s Joachim Eilers but it’s hard to look past Nimke for the Gold. Steven Burke of Great Britain has a chance to fly the flag for the ‘sprindurance’ riders.
trackcycling predicition
GOLD Stefan Nimke (GER)
SILVER Teun Mulder (NED)
BRONZE Simon Van Velthooven (NZL)
Women’s Team Pursuit Finals
Where the Men’s Endurance competition – exemplified by the Team Pursuit – is dominated by the rivalry between GB and Australia, the Women’s endurance events are increasingly between GB and Canada. Both broke the World Record in the Final at the World Cup in London in February, with the GB trio going on to take the of Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott and Dani King taking the Gold. It will be close here, too.
We could even see a Top 5 composed of English speaking teams with New Zealand, the USA and Australia all capable of good performances. The Netherlands are the nation most likely to prevent that happening.
We think Great Britain will still have the edge but we can see the crowd lifting Australia – which will mean that either the USA or New Zealand will miss out on a pace in the last four.
trackcycling predicition
GOLD Great Britain
SILVER Canada
BRONZE Australia
