Katie Archibald triumphs as Great Britain maintain lead at 2023 European Track Championships

Great Britain enjoyed another successful evening in the European Track Championships as Katie Archibald scored her 19th European title.

“I’ve got five really big targets between now and the Games – that’s one way to look at it but the other is that it’s a European title and that’s something I’m always happy with,” Archibald said.

“I was pretty nervous. The scratch race didn’t settle me like it normally does, especially if you get a win you come off feeling confident, but I thought I’d gone too hard. It turns out everyone else went hard as well.”

The action continued at the Tissot Velodrome in Switzerland on day 3 of the competition.

In the men’s scratch, the opening event of the night there was early success for Great Britain, when Ollie Wood took the win, with the 27-year-old AT85 man finishing ahead of Roy Eefting of the Netherlands in second, and the final podium spot went to France’s young competitor Donavan Grondin.

Next up for the men was the pursuit, which this time went to Italy’s Jonathan Milan, but Great Britain made another appearance as the experienced Daniel Bigham took second spot. Third was taken by Germany, who had Tobias Buck-Gramcko to thank.

Then it was time for the women to make a bow at the evening’s action, with Great Britain taking the first win, with the typically excellent Archibald claiming omnium victory, with Daria Pikulik of Poland in second, and the remaining spot in the top three going to Belgium’s stalwart, Lotte Kopecky.

It was a one-two for Germany in the sprint, with Lea Friedrich finishing ahead of her compatriot Pauline Grabosh, but Britain made yet another appearance in the top three, through Sophie Capewell.

Great Britain currently leads the overall table with eight medals (three gold, four silver, one bronze), while Germany sit in second with three gold, one silver, and three bronze.

Behind them both is Italy with three golds and a silver.

Saturday sees the action continue when the men’s sprint finals take place, as well as the conclusion of the omnium.

For the women, there are three finals to be decided: the 500m time trial, the pursuit and the points race.

The event concludes on Sunday when the remaining disciplines are wrapped up for the 26 nations making their appearances in Switzerland.

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