GB's Neah Evans claims stunning first world title on final day of Track World Championships
Great Britain finishes with 10 medals, after Madison silver and elimination race bronze
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In a last gasp attack, Neah Evans (Great Britain) surged to victory in the women's points race, topping the scoreboard to claim her first world title at the UCI Track World Championships.
"It was chaotic, fun chaotic," the 32-year-old said, beaming with joy after her win.
Evans had initially stretched out an early lead, winning two of the opening three sprints, before Denmark’s Julie Leth stole a lap on the field and bumped her from top spot.
After the Brit managed to regain a lap herself, Leth scored a second and tightened her grip on the gold medal. Evans then dipped her head, kicked hard on the pedals and, with just two laps remaining, emptied herself to gain a second lap and clinch the title.
“When [Leth] went again, I was like ‘oh, ok, we need to go,’” she told Cycling Weekly. “I felt I still had gas left in my legs, but trying to get across on your own is really hard, so I was trying to wait and get people to come with me and work with them.”
With this victory, Evans crowned a stellar season in which she also claimed a silver medal in the team pursuit and three British track titles. Her success, she says, is in part thanks to a change in personal coaching, with her partner Jonny Wale taking on the role earlier this year.
“I’ve been enjoying having him as a coach,” Evans said. “It’s really nice to get a good result to kind of almost vindicate it, to say ‘yes, that worked.’”
The Brit was left “frustrated” after Saturday's Madison when her partner, five-time Olympic gold medallist Laura Kenny, was brought down in a crash three laps from the end.
“That’s track racing,” Evans said. "You need luck on the day, so it was really nice that I had the luck today.”
Leth came second in the event with 53 points, seven fewer than Evans. Jennifer Valente (USA), who won the omnium on Friday, took the bronze medal.
Madison madness
Like Evans earlier in the afternoon, the British pair of Ethan Hayter and Ollie Wood had to make a late dash in the men’s Madison to win the silver medal.
The event was dominated by Frenchmen Benjamin Thomas and Donavan Grondin, who chipped away at the sprints, before cementing their victory with a lap gain.
Going into the final sprint, four countries including Great Britain were tied in second place on 37 points. Wood and Hayter roared off the front with a few laps to go, pipping the rest of the field to the line and taking maximum points.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly after the race, Wood said: “[I was] looking at the scoreboard thinking ‘bloody hell, we’re going to come fifth’, and it’s not what I get out of bed for in the morning.
“I keep telling people I get out of bed to win medals. And Ethan’s done alright for himself.”
On Saturday, Hayter successfully defended his omnium title to claim his second rainbow jersey of the week, having already won the team pursuit. Reflecting on the championships, the 24-year-old said: “It couldn’t have gone much better, I don’t think.
“I haven’t really had a chance to take it all in because of how intense the last couple of days were,” Hayter added.
Elia Viviani strikes gold
Olympic gold medallist Elia Viviani (Italy) made it back-to-back victories in the elimination race, beating Corbin Strong (New Zealand) to the line in the final sprint.
The Italian looked unshakeable throughout the event, which was neutralised twice due to crashes in the bunch. Great Britain’s Ethan Vernon earned himself the bronze medal, bringing his country’s final medal tally to 10.
After failing to qualify for the 500m time trial finals on Saturday, Germany’s Lea Sophie Friedrich got back to winning ways with a gold medal in the women’s keirin. The 22-year-old stood on the podium's top step in tears, dressed in her second rainbow jersey of the championships, and the seventh of her senior career.
Great Britain's Sophie Capewell was knocked out in the event's semifinals.
In the men’s sprint, Harrie Lavreysen (Netherlands) claimed his 11th world title, easing to a 2-0 victory against Australia’s Matthew Richardson. The latter’s compatriot, Matthew Glaetzer, claimed bronze in the play-off against Rudyk Mateusz (Poland).
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom is one of Cycling Weekly's news and features writers. In 2020, he started The TT Podcast, covering both the men's and women's pelotons and featuring a number of British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
The brass neck of it! Organisers draft in replacement after race lap bell stolen
Organisers of the Peaks 2-Day in Yorkshire call in reserves after thieves make off with the the well-travelled clanger
By James Shrubsall • Published
-
What is a tubeless tire? Everything you need to know about tubeless tech for road and gravel bikes
Thinking about 'going tubeless'? Here's a short guide to the tire and rim technology
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Tough Redcar and Cleveland course for British National Championships
North East region also set to host round of the National Road Series
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'If in doubt, sit them out': British Cycling releases concussion guidance for riders
Anyone with even the mildest concussion symptoms will be advised to return to competition for at least 21 days
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Lotus working on second generation of Olympic gold medal winning British Cycling bike
UK automotive engineering giant is joined by hi-spec engineering firm Renishaw
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
'Just don't wreck yourself' - Fred Wright on his GB track gamble and the Olympics
The Bahrain Victorious rider is set to compete at the European Track Championships next week
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
'Chris Hoy said the British coaches may be kicking themselves’ - Britain’s lost track cycling champion
British-born Australian Matthew Richardson has fast become one of the world's best track sprinters
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Academy programme where Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas started is cut back
British Cycling academy to work with development teams to provide riders with more exposure to top level racing
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Keisse's last stand - Five riders to watch at Ghent-Six 2022
Belgian rider Iljo Keisse is due to compete for the final time along with British stars Ethan Hayter and Fred Wright
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ethan Hayter bags second gold for GB on Track World Championships day four
The Brit brought his country's medal tally to seven as he retained his omnium title
By Tom Davidson • Last updated