Richardson wins through to men’s sprint gold medal ride
In-form Australian track cyclist Matthew Richardson is through the men’s sprint gold medal ride-off after continuing his strong form in the semi-finals.
Richardson is guaranteed his first individual Olympic medal, having won bronze earlier this week in the team sprint.
But to win gold, he must pull off a massive upset against Dutch ace Harrie Lavreysen.
Richardson has not missed a beat through the sprint competition after qualifying second-fastest behind Lavreysen, who set a world record for the flying 200m in the seeding round.
The Australian beat Lavreysen’s compatriot Jeffrey Hoogland two heats to nil in their semi, shaking his fist in elation as he finished the second race.
Lavreysen similarly dispatched British opponent Jack Carlin, with no need for the decider.
The Dutch star is the reigning Olympic champion in the sprint and has won the past five world titles.
The sprint and the women’s madison, featuring Australian world championship silver medallists Georgia Baker and Alex Manly, are the medal events in Friday’s evening session.
Also on Friday at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome outside Paris, Australian Kristina Clonan made an encouraging start in the women’s sprint.
Clonan qualified 11th-fastest in 10.310 seconds, with German Lea Friedrich becoming the latest rider to set a world record at the super-fast velodrome when she posted 10.029.
The Australian then showed impressive track craft in her Olympic debut to beat Dutch rider Steffie van der Peet and progress to the second round, also to be held in the Friday night session.
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