Harrie Lavreysen powers to sprint gold at European Track Cycling Championships, Josie Knight wins a silver medal

Harrie Lavreysen cruised to European gold No. 8 with victory in the final of the men’s sprint at the European Track Championships.

There are few faster on the track than the Dutchman and after easing into the final, he saw off the challenge of Mateusz Rudyk with the minimum of fuss – winning the first race by 0.083 seconds and the second by 0.146.

Bronze went to Rayan Helal of France who was a 2-0 winner over Mikhail Yakovlev.

Josie Knight of Great Britain was forced to settle for silver in the women’s individual pursuit. Franziska Brausse was ahead at all time checks and stopped the clock in a time of 3:20.101.

Bronze went to Brausse’s fellow German, Mieke Kroger who proved too strong for Anna Morris.

Emma Hinze proved in a league of her own as she defended her 500m time trial title. Going last of the eight racers, the German knew what she had to do to take the crown.

World champion Taky Marie-Divine Kouame set the mark with a time of 33.587, but it proved easy pickings for Hinze.

In being the only racer to dip below 33 seconds, the German stopped the clock at 32.947 to take gold from Kouame and Hetty van der Wouw.

Lauren Bell and Katy Marchant were sixth and eighth respectively.

Benjamin Thomas held off a spirited challenge from Simone Consonni to claim gold in the men’s omnium. The Frenchman triumphed with 162 points, with Consonni scoring 146. Britain’s Will Perrett claimed a superb bronze with 136 points.

Anita Stenberg secured a first gold of the week for Norway with victory in the women’s points race.

Stenberg was much the strongest throughout the race, scoring consistently in the sprints, and she claimed the win with 56 points. Shari Bossuyt took silver, with Marie Le Net in third.

Team GB’s world champion, Neah Evans did not have great legs and had to settle for seventh.

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