The Australian run of Olympic records stopped at the most crucial moment, while France (Florian Grengbo, Sébastien Vigier and Rayan Helal) powered to bronze, their first medal in the cycling events of Tokyo 2020. But the Netherlands went even faster - 41’’431 - earning their place against Great Britain in the final for gold, while Australia were to face France for bronze. Intensity rose with the first round when the Australians beat the Olympic record, again (42’’103)! This time, it was Team GB who beat that record in the following heat: 41’’829. Team GB, led by the icon Jason Kenny, then squeezed in between with a time of 42’’231. In the qualifying, Australia already beat the Olympic record (42’’371), only to see the Netherlands smash their time (42’’134) moments later. The powerful stars of the men’s team sprint also showed right from the beginning of Tuesday’s session they were ready to light fireworks at Tokyo 2020. The British team's silver medal ended their domination of the team pursuit at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.Įarlier, the American quartet (Megan Jastrab, Jennifer Valente, Chloé Dygert and Emma White) claimed bronze with a margin of 2.5 seconds over Canada. ![]() The hierarchy was clearly settled when the Germans powered to gold and another world record (4’04’’242) to beat Team GB (Katie Archibald, Laura Kenny, Neah Evans and Josie Knight). How long would that reference stand? Barely a few minutes, as Germany dominated heat 4 with a time of 4’06’’159! The stage was set for a thrilling battle for gold against Great Britain, while the USA would face Canada in the final for bronze. But Team GB were flying at a higher pace on the track: 4’06’’748! ![]() The Americans came very close to the new world record: 4’07’’562. With the 3rd heat pitching Great Britain against Team USA, the Izu velodrome was already on fire, and so were the riders. The German quartet had already set a new world record (4’07’’307) on Monday, but it lasted barely 24 hours. ![]() The Dutchmen dominated Team GB in the final.Įarly bangs came with the opening event of the day, the first round of the women’s team pursuit. Van den Berg participated in all the rounds of the men’s team sprint, first with Harrie Lavreysen and Matthijs Büchli, before Jeffrey Hoogland replaced Büchli. “Damn, this is so beautiful”, said Roy van den Berg moments after bringing the Netherlands their first gold medal in a men’s track event at the Olympic Games since 1932. “When it works, it's like being on rails.” “It's just a harmony, we're pretty good at it,” Klein observed after the German quartet achieved massive improvements in the years leading to Tokyo 2020. In addition, many Olympic and world records were beaten in the Izu velodrome.įranziska Brausse, Lisa Brennauer, Lisa Klein and Mieke Kroeger had to set a new world record to overthrow Team GB from the top spot in the women’s team pursuit. ![]() The second day of track cycling at the Olympic Games in Tokyo saw Germany take gold in the women’s team pursuit and the Netherlands dominate the men’s team sprint.
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