Silver for Becky James in women's keirin in Rio; Elis Ligtlee takes gold

Britain's Becky James secures silver medal in the women's keirin at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Becky James

(Image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Becky James continued Great Britain's haul of medals in the track cycling events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Saturday, taking silver in the women's keirin.

James left herself with a lot of ground to make up on the final lap, starting from the back of the pack and accelerating past all but eventual winner Elis Ligtlee of the Netherlands in the final lap.

Anna Meares (Australia) came in for third to claim bronze.

Becky James (top) in action during the keirin

Becky James (top) in action during the keirin
(Image credit: Watson)

It's a remarkable result for James, having spent nearly two years out of competition due to injury since winning two world sprint titles in 2013.

>>> Becky James and her fightback to fitness

The Welshwoman showed that she was making progress in March, when she took bronze in the track world championships in London. In Rio, she went one better to take her first Olympic medal.

Earlier on Saturday, GB had claimed gold in the women's team pursuit on their way to setting another world record.

>>> Rio 2016 Olympic Games: Latest news, reports and info

Result

Rio 2016 Olympic Games, women's keirin finals

Final standings

1. Elis Ligtlee (NED) 11.217 [gold medal]

2. Becky James (GBR) +0.033 [silver medal]

3. Anna Meares (AUS) +0.038 [bronze medal]

4. Anastasiia Voinova (RUS) +0.111

5. Liubov Basova (UKR) +0.152

6. Kristina Vogel (GER) +0.163

7. Lee Wai Sze (HKG) 11.407

8. Lee Hyejin (KOR) +0.059

9. Laurine Van Riessen (NED) +0.140

10. Martha Bayona Pineda (COL) +0.220

11. Tianshi Zhong +0.445

12. Simona Krupeckaite (LTU) +04.464

Round two heats

Heat 1

1.    Kristina Vogel (GER) 11.288

2.    Elis Ligtlee (NED) +0.398

3.    Anastasiia Voinova (RUS) +0.533

4.    Tianshi Zhong (CHN) +0.630

5.    Hyejin Lee (KOR) +1.046

6.    Martha Bayona Pineda (COL) DNF

Heat 2

1.    Anna Meares (AUS) 11.135

2.    Becky James (GBR) +0.006

3.    Liubov Basova (UKR) +0.036

4.    Laurine Van Riessen (NED) +0.159

5.    Simona Krupeckaite (LTU) +0.192

6.    Lee Wai Sze (HKG) DNF

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.