British junior sprint sensation Becky James just missed out on a hat-trick of gold medals at the European Track Championships in Minsk, Belarus this evening when she finished second in the Keirin.
The 17 year old, who earlier in the week won the individual sprint and the 500m time trial, was beaten to the finish by a Russian rival then brought down in a crash just beyond the line.
According to a member of the team’s support staff: “she’s just a bit battered and bruised.”
Olympic team sprint champion Jason Kenny also had to settle for silver in the under 23 men’s individual sprint final.
In two straight rounds he was beaten by Frenchman Kevin Sireau – the rider who qualified fastest and recently set the world’s fastest 200m from a flying start.
With Tim Kennaugh having taken a bronze in the junior points race late in yesterday’s sessions, there were more medals of the same colour for the British endurance riders today. Laura Trott took hers in the junior women’s points race while Chris Whorral finished third in the junior’s men’s scratch.
“Chris rode really well and strong,” said British endurance coach Dan Hunt. “He was tiring in the end but he had gained a lap with a group of eight and contested the sprint amongst them.”
Commenting on Trott’s ride, Hunt said: “She did a cracking ride. She showed some real promise early on. There’s a little bit for her to learn as well but it was a great performance.”
The championships finish tomorrow.
British medals
Gold - junior women's sprint: Becky James
Gold - junior women's 500m TT: Becky James
Gold - junior women's team pursuit: Jessica Booth, Laura Trott, Ella Sadler-Andrews
Gold - U23 men's individual pursuit: Steven Burke
Silver - U23 men's team pursuit: Mark Christian, Andy Fenn, Luke Rowe and Erick Rowsell
Silver - junior men's team pursuit:
Silver - U23 men's team sprint: Jason Kenny, David Daniell, Peter Mitchell
Silver – U23 men’s individual sprint: Jason Kenny
Silver – junior women’s keirin: Becky James
Bronze - junior women's individual pursuit: Laura Trott
Bronze - junior men's individual pursuit: George Atkins
Bronze – junior men’s points race: Tim Kennaugh
Bronze – junior men’s scratch race: Chris Whorral
Bronze – junior women’s points race: Laura Trott
RELATED LINKS
Becky James takes GB's second gold at Euro track champs
British women take junior team pursuit at Europeans
Jason Kenny and Steven Burke lead Euro champs track team
EXTERNAL LINKS
Official site of the 2009 European track championships
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
