20 Feb 2011

World Cup title and two medals for NZ cyclists

6:22 am on 20 February 2011

The New Zealand women's pursuit team have won the overall track cycling World Cup title, setting a new fastest time in the process on the opening night of finals at the last World Cup round in Manchester.

However the trio of Alison Shanks, Lauren Ellis and Jaime Nielsen had to be content with second place in the final behind hosts Great Britain who went within in whisker of the world record.

Experienced South Canterbury rider Marc Ryan picked up a bronze medal in the individual pursuit while fellow Timaru cyclist Shane Archbold leads the men's omnium after the opening day, following wins in the flying lap and points race.

The women set up for an enthralling final after clocking 3:20.988 in their heat, just 26/1000th of a second behind the British combination.

It was more than half a second inside their previous best, the 3:21.552 ride in the world championships.

The New Zealanders went quicker again in the final recording 3:20.8328 with the British winning in the fastest time ever recorded at sea level of 3:19.757.

Earlier both Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell failed to qualify in the men's sprint.