Flying Kiwi Andrews impresses in the sprint

New Kiwi track cycling star Ellesse Andrews has remained on a roll at the Tokyo velodrome, advancing to the

1/8 finals in the women’s sprint. Andrews backed up her silver medal in the keirin by breaking the Olympic record in sprint qualifying before winning two of her three headto-head duels last night.

After proving far too strong for Australian Kaarle McCulloch in the

1/32 finals, Andrews suffered her first setback in the 1/16 finals against Ukraine’s Olena Starikova.

But facing a must-win repechage against China’s Bao Shanju — a team sprint gold medallist from earlier in the Games — Andrews showed her class to progress to tonight’s 1/8 finals at the Izu Velodrome.

“Every race is max and you’re putting everything out on the track,” the

21-year-old told Sky Sport. “It’s just what you have to do to progress in a competition like this.”

Despite her busy diary, there were no signs of an emotional or physical comedown after her stunning ride to take second in Thursday’s keirin final.

“Talking to family and friends [yesterday], it was great to share this experience,” Andrews said. “But I’m in my next competition now, so my race head is on.”

It was needed during the final outing of her evening, when defeat would have ended her Games.

Instead, she showed composure that belied her lack of senior international experience, a quality that complemented the tactical nous and undeniable speed she had displayed in the keirin.

As she had attempted with mixed results against more experienced opponents in her earlier two races, Andrews opted to cede the lead in her showdown against Bao, backing her power to come over the top of her foe on the final lap.

It worked well against McCulloch but was negated by Starikova, with the Ukrainian extracting a measure of revenge after finishing fourth in the keirin. But Andrews shook off the disappointment and returned to her favoured game plan to seal her spot in the 1/8 finals, where she will face Canadian Kelsey Mitchell at 6.33pm.

Andrews’ status as a serious sprint contender was established in last night’s qualifying when, needing only a top-24 time to progress to the next round, her blazing speed was on display. The Kiwi recorded a qualifying time of 10.563s to briefly set a new Olympic mark, break the national record and book her spot in the 1/32 finals.

Andrews’ Olympic record was surpassed by 10 riders, led by German Lea Friedrich in 10.310s.

Compatriot Kirstie James was unable to join Andrews in the 1/32 finals, with the talented endurance rider struggling in sprint qualifying to stop the clock at 11.116s and finish 27th.

New Zealand were also off the pace in the first women’s Olympic madison, as the untested combination of Jessie Hodges and Rushlee Buchanan finished 11th.

British pair Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny dominated the 120-lap race from start to finish, winning all but two of the 12 sprints to rack up 78 points.

The Kiwis were unable to factor in the sprints and were lapped twice, recording a tally of minus-40 points to finish ahead of only the three teams who crashed out of a chaotic race.