Share

British cycling duo Becky James and Katy Marchant reach sprint semi-final

Germany’s Kristina Vogel won the women’s sprint in the Olympic velodrome on Tuesday, out-pacing Britain’s Rebecca James in the final to take the gold medal. “I can not believe it”, said Marchant who started as a heptathlete and represented Great Britain at the 2012 World Junior Champinships but switched to cycling on the advice of her coach Toni Minichiello – who also coaches Jess Ennis.

Advertisement

The second leg saw James beaten extremely narrowly on the line after rounding Vogel in the final corner as the German took the lead.

Meanwhile, Marchant proved too strong for Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite as she also won 2-0.

Earlier, Team GB teammate Katy Marchant claimed bronze with victory over Netherlands’ Elis Ligtlee in the bronze medal ride.

Despite losing her seat near the finish of the final race, Vogel kept her speed up to win her first gold. “I can not believe it”, said Marchant.

“It shows how hard myself and Becky have worked”.

Advertisement

Vogel, a former world champion, won the team sprint in London four years ago but had never claimed the individual title.

Becky James