More random selections of track cycling coverage from around the world, starting with more Anglo-Australian rivalry from the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Sydney Morning Herald reflects on the dominance of the Great Britain Men’s Team Pursuit squad and on Anna Meares being ‘blown away’ by Victoria Pendleton in the Keirin. Disturbingly, they also report on the latest escalation of the bad feeling between the two nations – created and stoked by the Australian media and, until now, reaching its peak at Melbourne in April with British competitors booed and disturbed by Australian fans in the starting gate.
Now, it seems, British fans have taken to abusing the parents of the Australian riders. Enough is enough. Something needs to be done – perhaps by Great Britain coach Shane Sutton and his brother – Australian coach Gary Sutton.
Elsewhere, the controversy over Philip Hindes’ post race comments rumbles on. The Great Britain Team Sprint lead-off man admitted to falling off his bike to get a re-start – but as the Washington Post reported, the IOC and UCI declined to take any action and the Silver Medal winning French team supported that decision. “You have to make the most of the rules. You have to play with them in a competition and no one should complain about that,” the France team’s technical director, Isabelle Gautheron, told The Associated Press.
Linda Robertson of the Miami Herald reflected on the impact of Great Britain’s performance in the velodrome, which she tells us is known in equal measure as the Pringle – Olympic sponsors P&G must be delighted – or the Pleasuredome. In a comprehensive piece, she also praises the British Cycling setup and the six velodromes that Great Britain will soon have in Manchester, Newport, London, Glasgow and, erm… Derby, probably. And…?
And, lastly – continuing the Pringle theme – Wired.com has a series of articles on track cycling tech, including one on why the London Velodrome is the fastest track in the world.
