Sport

Gold for Belgian women in crash-marred race

In track cycling, Lotte Kopecky and Jolien D'hoore grabbed the World Title in the women's madison. In Hong Kong, the Belgian duo collected 45 points, keeping a British and an Australian duo at bay. The race was marred by several crashes. It was the first time the madison was included in the women's programme.
Michaël Torfs
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The race takes place over 120 laps or 30 kilometres with a sprint every 10 laps. The Belgian ladies, the reigning European champions, came second in the first sprint after Britain. They took the lead half-way and also won the final sprint.

This left them with 45 points, right ahead of Elinor Barker and Emily Nelson of Britain (33 points) and Amy Cure and Alexandra Manly of Australia (26 points). The race was marred by several crashes; Manly was twice a victim.

Jolien D'Hoore (27) has her place in the world's track cycling elite for some time. Earlier this week, she clinched a bronze in the scratch in Hong Kong and also at the Olympic Games. Youngster Lotte Kopecky (21) is the coming lady in track cycling.

Yesterday, Kenny De Ketele managed a silver medal in the men's points race.

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