Mitchell gains historic medal

New Zealand cyclist Ethan Mitchell created history while Aaron Gate went within a whisker of a second rainbow jersey on the penultimate day of the world track cycling championships in Hong Kong.

Mitchell, part of the world championship winning men’s team sprint, became the first New Zealander to win an individual sprint medal, claiming the bronze against Great Britain’s Ryan Owens. It brought the New Zealand tally to five medals, to equal the best achieved in Melbourne in 2012, Cali in 2014 and Paris in 2015, with one day remaining.

Gate, the 2013 omnium world champion, was just two points off what would have been a remarkable victory, settling for a silver medal in the new format omnium competition.

Coach Anthony Peden has worked closely with Mitchell over the last 18 months to develop his one-lap speed and his sprinting ability, which finally blossomed when he was second in qualifying at the final World Cup in Los Angeles.

After finishing fourth fastest in a personal best in qualifying, Mitchell pushed into the quarterfinals after accounting for Australian rival Matthew Glaetzer in a deciding third ride.

With all three Kiwi riders into the final eight there were high hopes, which were dashed when overwhelming favourite Denis Dmitriv of Russia beat Webster and Dutchman Harrie Lavreysen beat Dawkins, both in two straight rides.

Mitchell also found Dmitriv a bridge too far in the semifinals, with the Russian going on to win his first world crown after many years of trying.

But the Kiwi regrouped to dominate Owens in two straight rides to become the first Kiwi to win an individual sprint medal.

Gate, 26, produced a stunning effort in the 40km points race, winning that competition after putting two laps on the field. It came down to the final sprint on the last lap when he was pipped by Benjamin Thomas for third which gave the Frenchman to overall title by just two points.

In other action, Jaime Nielsen finished sixth in the women’s individual pursuit in 3:31.653, with Kirstie James 14th in 3:36.250.

Sprinter Natasha Hansen finished 12th in the 500m time trial in 34.375, won by former junior world champion Daria Schmeleva (RUS) in 33.282.

The pairing of Racquel Sheath and Michaela Drummond finished powerfully to place fourth in the women’s madison.