UCI Track Cycling World Cup Mexico – NZ Day 3 Wrap

New Zealand cyclists had a quiet final day at the UCI World Cup in Mexico.

The crash fest continued though, with Matt Archibald, substituting for Eddie Dawkins in the men’s keirin, involved in a serious accident in his qualifying heat.

He was relatively unscathed but there was one rider with significant injuries which held up the racing schedule for some time.

Archibald returned to the repechage but did not progress, while Olympic bronze medallist Simon van Velthooven also missed out, placing fourth in his heat and the repechage.

He did ride the fastest time ever in the 1000m time trial, clocking 59.148, the first time a New Zealander has ridden under the one minute mark.

Such was the speeds and benefits from riding at 10,000ft altitude, the winner Francois Pervis from France broke the world record clocking an astonishing 56.303s. Van Velthooven’s time only managed eighth place in a startling display of power riding.

The Kiwi campaign finished with Aaron Gate and Pieter Bulling finishing 13th in the Madison won by Spain.

Details: www.bikenz.org.nz or www.uci.ch