Shanks Through To World Cycling Gold Medal Ride-Off

New Zealand’s Alison Shanks will ride-off for gold in the final of the women’s individual pursuit on the opening night of the UCI World Track Cycling championships in Poland.

Shanks was the second fastest in qualifying for the 3000m event, and will ride off against Beijing Olympic silver medallist Wendy Houvenaghal (GBR) in the final.

The 26 year old from Dunedin, who clocked 3:31.063 in qualifying, will compete in her first world championship final, with the gold ride-off timed for 9am (NZ time).

The Great Britain rider, who was part of their world championship winning team pursuit last year, was the top qualifier with a 3:29.491.

Shanks’ time was marginally outside her best of 3:30.543 set at the recent national championships at the ILT Velodrome in Invercargill.

Lithuania’s Vilija Sereikaite, who went through the first kilometre in a slick 1:10, was third fastest on 3:33.935 and will take on Joanna Rowsell (GBR) for the bronze medal.

BikeNZ female national coach Dayle Cheatley said the track felt heavy for all riders and the air sticky which has not made for the fastest times.

“Ali was on track for the first 2km and we are very happy with her form, Cheatley said. “We all know she has the ability to ride a second individual pursuit faster than her form and it is fantastic that she is now on for a gold medal ride.”

UCI World Track Cycling championships, day 1, Poland:
Women’s 3000m individual pursuit qualifying:
Wendy Houvenaghel (GBR) 3:29.491, 1; Alison Shanks (NZL) 3:31.063, 2; Vilija Sereikaite (LTU) 3:33.935, 3; Joanna Rowsell (GBR) 3:35.028, 4; Jo Tomic (AUS) 3:37.780, 5.