SCOTS cyclist Katie Archibald and partner Laura Kenny took gold as they won the first ever Olympic women’s Madison in dominant fashion.
It was a fifth career Olympic gold for Kenny, who surpassed Dutchwoman Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel to become the most successful female cyclist in Olympic history as she took gold at a third consecutive Games.
The Team GB pair looked in control from the off, winning the first three sprints on the track and then further extending their advantage after the Dutch pair of Kirsten Wild and Amy Pieters, reigning world champions, were caught in a crash with a little over 70 laps remaining.
In the second half of the race the duo got themselves in a series of breakaways, hoovering up points in the sprints and gaining a lap with a little over 20 to go to build an all-but-insurmountable lead.
By the end of the race, they had won 10 of the 12 sprints – including the double points for the last lap – to finish with 78 points, more than twice the tally of second-placed Denmark on 35.
Archibald said: “I’ve been dreaming about this. I’ve never wanted something so much and I’ve never been so nervous. But we’ve been clinical in our approach.
“I’d like to thank our coach Monica (Greenwood). None of this would have happened without Monica. She overhauled our approach to this event.”
Chair of sportscotland Mel Young said: “Katie has again delivered on the global stage with an incredible race to win gold, her second medal of these Games and a stunning performance to dominate the final from start to finish.
“She is one of the world’s leading track cyclists and continues to deliver when it matters most and she can be rightfully proud of her performance. She is an inspiration to the next generation.”
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