Tanfield hails Aussie record
ENGLAND’S team pursuit riders could do little other than applaud Australia’s brilliance as their silver medal paled compared to the home team’s world record yesterday.
Three of Great Britain’s quartet that won the world title last month took to the boards in the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.
But Kian Emadi, Charlie Tanfield and Ethan Hayter, with Ollie Wood replacing the absent Ed Clancy, could not overcome a supercharged Australia, who powered away in the second half of the race, setting a time of 3mins 49.804secs – the first team to break 3:50.00. England finished in 3:55.310.
“Fair play to the Aussies, that’s ridiculously fast,” said Tanfield, 21, a new recruit to the British Cycling set-up following world-beating displays for Derby-based Team KGF. But England did celebrate a world record of their own as world champions Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott won the women’s blind and visually impaired sprint.
The pair set a record 10.609 in qualifying, before a straight-rides win in the final over Australia’s Jessica Gallagher and Madison Janssen.
Joe Truman, Ryan Owens and Philip Hindes won team sprint silver while Katy Marchant and Lauren Bate took bronze in the women’s equivalent.
Wales’ James Ball and Peter Mitchell won silver in the men’s blind and visually impaired time trial.
Npower is Official Partner of Team England and is giving the athletes the power of support by recording a new version of their anthem Jerusalem. To listen visit npower.com/ teamengland