Young sprinters qualify in women's sprint at World Cup

The Vantage New Zealand track cycling team blooded more developing riders on a competitive second day of the opening UCI World Cup in Poland today.

Sprinters Olivia Podmore and Emma Cumming both qualified in the women’s individual sprint competition led by Olympic and World Champion Kristina Vogel. Podmore was 19th in 11.213s for the flying 200m qualifying with Cumming, in her first World Cup, 23rd fastest in 11.282s.

Both lost their first round contests against Olena Starikova (RUS) and Katy Marchant (AUS) respectively.
The pair is back on the track tomorrow for the first round of the team sprint after qualifying seventh fastest on the opening day.

Team sprint world champion Eddie Dawkins, fresh from success in the gruelling London Six-Day competition, was second in the heats of the men’s keirin. He was impressive in winning the repechage but could only manage sixth in the semifinal. He went on to finish fourth in the B Final.

Waikato’s Jessie Hodges had her first taste of a World Cup track event for New Zealand, finishing 19th in the women’s omnium.

She placed 10th in the scratch race, 10th in the Tempo, 19th in the Elimination and 15th in the points race to finish with 50 points in 19th place on debut. The event was won by versatile Dutch rider Kirsten Wild, who has won world championship medals on the track, road and time trial.

The competition continues until Monday (NZ time).

Results:
Women Omnium, final placings: Kirsten Wild (NED) 129 points, 1; Jennifer Valente (USA) 127, 2; Amalie Dideriksen (DEN) 116, 3. Also: Jessie Hodges (NZL) 50, 19.

Women Sprint qualifying: Kristina Vogel (GER) 10.602, 1; Stephanie Morton (AUS) 10.632, 2; Mathilde Gros (FRA) 10.739, 3.Also: Olivia Podmore (NZL) 11.213, 19; Emma Cumming (NZL) 11.282, 23.

CAPTION: Olivia Podmore and Eddie Dawkins in action on day two of the UCI Track World Cup in Poland.
The images are free for editorial use only. Credit Guy Swarbrick.