Laura Trott wins omnium gold medal to become Britain’s greatest female Olympian

Trott sealed her fourth Olympic gold medal after safely defending her overall omnium lead in the final points race
Richard Windsor

Laura Trott took her fourth Olympic gold medal on Tuesday night after winning the omnium competition at the Rio Games.

The 24-year-old defended her 2012 Olympic title after winning half of the six events in the competition, holding on to her lead after the final event, the points race.

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Trott writes herself further into British Olympic history by becoming the most successful female GB athlete of all time, just ahead of equestrian rider Charlotte Dujardin who has three golds and one silver. Trott now has two golds in the omnium and two in the team pursuit.

World champion in the discipline, Trott dominated throughout, holding the overall lead from the second event onwards. Trott won the individual pursuit, the elimination race and the flying lap on her way to gold.

She safely navigated the final points race, gaining 34 points while other riders went for an aggressive approach to try and get to the podium positions.

Women's omnium points race, Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Women’s omnium points race, Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Jolien D’Hoore (Bel) and Sarah Hammer (USA) started in second and third respectively and Trott simply had to let the pair and those behind battle it out for the podium spots.

Lauren Ellis (NZl), Amalie Dideriksen (Den) and Kirsten Wild (Ned) all made hard fought attacks to try and gain points to make the podium, with Ellis and Wild finding themselves in a select group in closing laps that included the top three.

Trott simply marked and held the wheels, while Hammer, who had done enough to push D’Hoore down to third, managed to hold on to claim silver as the Belgian dropped out of the group on the final lap, but still won bronze.

Results

Women’s Omnium Points Race (66)

1. Amalie Dideriksen (Den) 85
2. Lauren Ellis (NZL) 73
3. Marlies Mejias (Cub) 73
4. Tatsiana Sharakova (BLR) 50
5. Kirsten Wild (Ned) 43
6. Sarah Hammer (USA) 34
7. Laura Trott (GBr) 34
8. Jolien D’Hoore (Bel) 27
9. Laurie Berthon (Fra) 23
10. Xioa Juan Diao (HKG) 22

Women’s omnium final standings

1. Laura Trott (GBr) 230
2. Sarah Hammer (USA) 206
3. Jolien d’Hoore (Bel) 199
4. Lauren Ellis (NZL) 189
5. Amalie Dideriksen (Den) 189
6. Kirsten Wild (Ned) 183
7. Marlies Mejias (Cub) 173
8. Annette Edmondson (Aus) 168
9. Tatsiana Sharakova (BLR) 164
10. Laurie Berthon (Fra) 163