London 2012 Olympic Women’s Team Pursuit: live updates, blog
Roar Guru By hamleyn, 4 Aug 2012 hamleyn is a Roar Guru
The women’s team pursuit is making its debut at an Olympic Games here in London. This marks the first time in history that men and women will race the same amount of events on the velodrome at an Olympics.
This balance comes after the removal of the Madison, individual pursuits and points races from the program allowing it.
At the World Champions in Melbourne earlier this year, it was the British team of Danielle King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell who defeated the Australian team of Annette Edmondson, Melissa Hoskins and Josephine Tomic.
They won by 1.223 seconds to take gold in a world-record time of 3:15.720.
Despite this, like the men, Great Britain didn’t win gold in the individual event. However they did do better with Wendy Houvenaghel winning silver behind New Zealand’s Alison Shanks.
The Women’s team pursuit has been run at the World Championships now since 2008. Great Britain leads the medal table with four of the five gold medals, two in world record time, and one silver in 2010.
It was the Australian team of Josephine Tomic, Ashlee Ankudinoff and Sarah Kent who have Australia’s sole gold in the team pursuit, beating out the Brits by just over half a second.
Interestingly in 2010, New Zealand broke the world record in the bronze-medal ride off, a time that would have won gold by two-tenths of a second.
Australia received a medal of each colour from the World Champions event.
I can’t see anyone but the Brits winning this event.
Australia tried valiantly in Melbourne, going out very hard and taking up to the Brits. But the cool heads at Team GB saw them storm over the top of our Aussie girls in the final 750m two win the event.
I think we’ll see the same happen here.
The Crowd Says (42) | Page 1 of Comments
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2:37pm
Roger the Alien said | 2:37pm | Report comment
My main point is that if the Chinese were doing it there would be a hue and cry. There is a double standard in attitudes.
11:22pm
Colin N said | 11:22pm | Report comment
It’s a fair point, but China have a history of doping and, with the odd exception, Great Britain don’t. I’ve always had the attitude that innocent until proven guilty but I can understand the doubts that went with the young Chinese swimmer’s perfomance.
I’ll add more later but I’m just about to go out.
2:50am
Colin N said | 2:50am | Report comment
As for GB in the cycling, look at the talent they have in their ranks. I’ll break down the world records for the four events: Women’s teams sprint, men’s team spint and the two pursuit teams.
Varnish is an exceptional lead-off and Pendleton’s an exceptional sprinter. She hasn’t had a great time of it siince Beijing with personal issues generally affecting her form, but since late 2011, things have started to come together.
I think it was the World Champs in Melbourne where she showed she was getting back to her best. It’s no surprise that she’s peaked for the Olympics.
The men’s sprint team contains two of the world’s best, possibly ever, sprinters.
The women’s pursuit team is incredibly talented. Laura Trott has been earmarked for a while and are world champions.
The men’s pursuit team contain two of the gold medalists from Beijing, but one of those, Geraint Thomas, focused on the road for the three years after the Olympics. He came back in late 2011 and they’ve gradually improved.
I was actually impressed by Australia’s pursuit team, but theyre carrying a rider – O’Shea I think. If they can get rid of him, they could go down to 3:52
5:23am
Darryl Kotyk said | 5:23am | Report comment
Great coverage, Nic. Too bad the Australians couldn’t get into the podium.
3:15am
hamleyn said | 3:15am | Report comment
Great Britain now have 3 gold to Germany’s 1 on the velodrome. No other nation has won a gold medal yet. However, there is plenty of action still to come from the track.
Another night of high drama done and dusted. GB smash another world record on what is undoubtedly the faster track in the world. Thanks so much for joining me tonight. That’s my Olympic coverage done and dusted. It’s been a great experience doing my first live blogging. Have a pleasant weekend and enjoy watching the rest of the games. I know I will! Good evening everyone!
3:36am
Roger Rational said | 3:36am | Report comment
4 golds for GB on the velodrome.
(Men’s Team Sprint, Men’s Pursuit, Women’s Pursuit, Pendleton in Keirin).
It should really be 5 but for the DQ in the Women’s sprint.
3:11am
hamleyn said | 3:11am | Report comment
Gold Medal Final RESULTS:
Gold: GREAT BRITAIN: 3:14:051 (WR)
Silver: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 3:19.727
A brilliant ride and another World Record by the Brits, slicing a few hundredths off their previous time. They take gold again and have utterly dominated the track so far. Silver for the USA. Canada’s ride for bronze was fast enough for silver but as they weren’t in the Gold medal ride-off, they have to settle for 3rd.
Huge outpouring of emotion for Team GB, with a bumper crowd loving every second of it. Mark Cavendish is highly emotional in the stands.
3:08am
hamleyn said | 3:08am | Report comment
2000m: Another gold barring a crash waiting for GB here. They’re 2.353 ahead.
3:07am
hamleyn said | 3:07am | Report comment
1500m: At halfway, its still Team GB, USA are falling away now 1.718 behind.
3:06am
hamleyn said | 3:06am | Report comment
1000m: Great Britain have the early lead. Changeovers are good, looking strong, 0.780 ahead.
3:05am
hamleyn said | 3:05am | Report comment
Now, GB v USA for Gold. GB are raging hot favourites but can USA spring a huge upset?
They’re away, lets see!
3:04am
hamleyn said | 3:04am | Report comment
Bronze Medal Final RESULTS
Bronze: CANADA – 3:17.915
4th: AUSTRALIA – 3:18.096
What a brilliant race! Canada gets a surprise medal. Australia will be disappointed to have missed out here, having taken silver at the World Champs in April.
3:02am
hamleyn said | 3:02am | Report comment
2000m: Canada lead but by thousandths of a second. This is going to the wire!
3:01am
hamleyn said | 3:01am | Report comment
1500m: Canada respond, now .127 in front! Great racing here!
3:01am
hamleyn said | 3:01am | Report comment
1000m: And the early lead goes to Australia. They lead by .181, having closed an early gap.
2:59am
hamleyn said | 2:59am | Report comment
Just over 3 minutes of pain to go. Must say I’m not fussed who wins. Canada are my second country.
2:58am
hamleyn said | 2:58am | Report comment
5/6 Final RESULTS:
5. NEW ZEALAND – 3:19.351
6. THE NETHERLANDS – 3:23.256
On time at least, The Netherlands should finish 8th. However, being in the 5/6 Final, they will finish 6th, after being utterly trounced by the Kiwis.
Now for the Bronze medal final. Let’s go Aussies!
2:56am
hamleyn said | 2:56am | Report comment
2000m: Still NZ out in front. 2.669 in front of the Dutch. They will easily take 5th barring a disaster.
2:56am
hamleyn said | 2:56am | Report comment
1500m: Its all the Kiwis at the moment. They’re riding well and are now a massive 1.943 in front.
2:55am
hamleyn said | 2:55am | Report comment
1000m: its NZ with the early running. They’re 1.218 in front!
2:54am
hamleyn said | 2:54am | Report comment
Now for the 5th v 6th Final between the Kiwis and the Dutch. Will iit be the All Blacks, who’s racing kit looks great incidentally, or the Orange Army?
2:53am
hamleyn said | 2:53am | Report comment
7/8 Final RESULTS:
7. BELARUS – 3:20.245
8. GERMANY – 3:20.824
2:51am
hamleyn said | 2:51am | Report comment
2000m: Belarus still holding down the lead, now .379. The German’s are coming!
2:50am
hamleyn said | 2:50am | Report comment
1500m: Belarus have stretched their lead to .806.
2:50am
hamleyn said | 2:50am | Report comment
1000m: The early lead goes to Belarus but the Germans aren’t far back.
2:49am
hamleyn said | 2:49am | Report comment
And we’re away in the 7/8 Final between Belarus and Germany!
2:46am
hamleyn said | 2:46am | Report comment
The second heat of the repechages for the men’s sprint are on now. Then we will get underway for the Women’s Team Pursuit.
2:45am
hamleyn said | 2:45am | Report comment
Oh and here are the team members:
Great Britain: Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell
USA: Sarah Hammer, Dotsie Bausch and Lauren Tamayo
Australia: Annette Edmondson, Melissa Hoskins and Josephine Tomic
Canada: Tara Whitten, Gillian Carelton and Jasmin Glaesser
New Zealand: Lauren Ellis, Jamie Nielsen and Alison Shanks
The Netherlands: Vera Koedooder, Amy Pieters and Ellen van Dijk
Germany: Judith Arndt, Charlotte Becker and Lisa Brennauer
Belarus: Tatsiana Sharakova, Alena Dylko and Aksana Papko
2:38am
hamleyn said | 2:38am | Report comment
Here’s the line-up for tonight’s Women’s Team Pursuit finals:
Gold Medal: Great Britain v United States
Bronze Medal: Australia v Canada
5th/6th: New Zealand v The Netherlands
7th/8th: Germany v Belarus
2:33am
hamleyn said | 2:33am | Report comment
Currently, the Points Race leg of the Men’s Omnium is circling the track. Its a real shame that the Points race is no longer a stand-alone event, as we have had some epic World Championship finals in recent years. Cameron Meyer is the reigning world champ, having taken a lap with one lap to go in Melbourne and grabbing an incredible gold medal.
2:29am
hamleyn said | 2:29am | Report comment
Hi all and welcome to The Roar’s live coverage of the Women’s Team Pursuit final. Tonight will be the first time the event has ever been held at an Olympic Games.
The Brits dominated the Men’s TP last night, smashing their own world record in winning gold ahead of Australia and New Zealand.
Tonight they have a chance to take the TP sweep, with the British women in the final. They were much faster than anyone else in the qualifying rounds and then lowered their own world record to 3:14.682 in the 1st Round to advance to the Gold medal ride-off. They will meet the USA, who qualified in a time of 3:16.853. Australia and Canada will fight it out for Bronze.
1:56am
King of the Gorgonites said | 1:56am | Report comment
Dismissal effort from the Aussies once gain. This is pathetic.
1:34am
Roger the Alien said | 1:34am | Report comment
Another world record. I rest my case.
2:32am
Colin N said | 2:32am | Report comment
You can’t really ‘rest your case’ until they’re found to be doping. Were they found doping before, during or after Beijing when they smashed the rest of the competition? Nope.
12:50am
Roger the Alien said | 12:50am | Report comment
If Australia was smashing world records like that I would still say “suspect”. It’s not sour grapes.
11:02pm
Roger the Alien said | 11:02pm | Report comment
Every time the Brit track cyclists go out they break a world record. It’s suspect to say the least and if the Chinese were doing it there would be a global outcry.
11:23pm
Roger Rational said | 11:23pm | Report comment
Fancy some cheese with that whine, Roger?
P.S 10-1!!
11:40pm
Roger the Alien said | 11:40pm | Report comment
Explain it then. It isn’t human nature to perform to that level every time a competitor fronts up. Not humanly possible. I haven’t said anything about winning- my point is that world records are not a dime a dozen as a rule.
12:04am
Roger Rational said | 12:04am | Report comment
It’s one of the fastest tracks ever and the cycling is taking place at 28 degree heat to minimise air resistance.
Plus all the cyclists have been gearing up for this for 4 years.
It’s not surprising they’re smashing records.
12:08am
Roger the Alien said | 12:08am | Report comment
Has any other team bar GB smashed a record?
2:19am
hamleyn said | 2:19am | Report comment
Have to be honest Roger, I agree with you to some level. However, the Brits have been training their asses off for these Olympics, spent much much more money than Australia has and has invested in the best equipment and venues in the world. Not surprised at the times they’re doing, just the frequency of the world records.
6:06pm
Heidi said | 6:06pm | Report comment
Hamleyn, I am totally agree the hard training part, just look at the Team Sky in TDF, but since you mention the Equipment (I am assuming bike is classified as equipment), I read somewhere saying the GB use slighly unnoticeable advanced track bikes (not sure how true it is), consider evey second count in this type of race, should all the teams use the same technology to compete each other, that will show the true winner of the race. Don’t get me wrong, I still agree the GB cycling team is the best team this year, as you said, the amount of the money and training they put in, no surprise for their success from TDF to Olympic.