Women’s track sprint final: Anna Meares vs Victoria Pendleton – live blog
Roar Guru 
Australia's Anna Meares takes on Britain's Victoria Pendleton for gold (AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN)
It is the event that will stop two countries. Anna Meares and Victoria Pendleton clash in the women’s track sprint finals. Join us for live coverage of the event from midnight (AEST).
While both Meares and Pendleton have already won medals at the London Olympic Games winning this one would be extra sweet.
This event is the one that started a massive rivalry when a Pendleton crash caused by an Anna Meares accidental touch saw Meares accused of reckless riding.
Since they met in Beijing, Pendleton has gained the upper hand in this event while Meares established herself as the Keirin champion.
However, Pendleton upset Meares in the Keirin a few days ago with a dominant display in front of a parochial home crowd.
Will this give Meares hope that favouritism means nothing?
We will see but before they meet in the final, both have to win their Semi Finals.
Pendleton is up first when she takes on German sprinter Kristina Vogel first up at Midnight.
Vogel is in her debut Olympics and will be looking to give her all which makes her a dangerous prospect.
Vogel finished 11th in the Keirin and also helped Germany to a Gold Medal in that remarkable Women’s team sprint final.
While I expect Pendleton to get through, Vogel is not to be taken lightly.
In the other Semi, Meares faces Beijing Bronze Medallist Shauang Guo.
These two have history as Guo was supposed to face Pendleton in the Beijing Olympic final but was disqualified for allegedly pushing Anna Meares.
While Meares will start as the favourite, Guo is not to be ruled out of making an upset.
Guo is an Asian Games champion in this event and she also is a multiple UCI World Cup winner in this event.
It will be a close semi with the winner a good chance of taking Gold.
I hope you are looking forward to this event as much as I am. See you at Midnight for coverage of the Women’s Track Sprint Live from London.
Sport, all day long. Does this sound too good to be true? We're searching for a Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. If you're a sales star who doesn't mind a hit, kick, throw, or cycle, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
The Crowd Says (68) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- 2012 London Olympics, Cycling
3:45am
David said | 3:45am | Report comment
Meares will sleep at night knowing that she CHEATED her way to gold. She clearly elbowed our Pendleton that forced her to cross the red line resulting in the the result being reversed in the first sprint.
No wonder why you Aussies are struggling like a 2nd tier country, its more about the whinging, excuses and an inability to play by the rules.
4:44am
TheSportsFreak said | 4:44am | Report comment
…just checking my whinge-o-meter… oh, look… it’s gone off the scale! Well done, you’ve broken my expectations.
Come on David, the commissaire would have taken that into account when making the decision.
Pendleton accepted the decision and moved on.
4:45am
Rugby Fan said | 4:45am | Report comment
She didn’t cheat her way to gold. Commentator Chris Boardman thinks Meares rode the same way as when she faced Pendleton in Melbourne.
On that occasion, the British rider fell in the first round when Meares crowded her – the judges saw nothing illegal in the tactic – but won the next two and claimed the title. This time, when Meares crowded her in the first race, Pendleton probably recalled falling in Melbourne and leaned back into Meares to resist. It took her over the line and saw her relegated. Meares got into Pendleton’s head and, ultimately, it cost her. Both riders pushed the rules to the limits and Pendleton pushed too far.
There was nothing contentious about the second race, Meares knew how close she was to gold, and her determination finished off the British challenger.
5:15am
lolly said | 5:15am | Report comment
I love it when people scream cheat. It’s just like being at the cricket.
2:59am
johnhunt92 said | 2:59am | Report comment
Well that’s it for tonight. Hope you enjoyed the coverage of the race that has proven form is temporary but class is permanent. Anna Meares has won gold in the Women’s Sprint Final upsetting her great rival Victoria Pendleton. Thanks for being a part of it goodnight
2:59am
Roger Rational said | 2:59am | Report comment
Pendleton shafted yet again by the judges. That’s two golds they’ve deprived her of this Olympics. Very poor show.
Well done to Anna Meares though.
3:01am
TheSportsFreak said | 3:01am | Report comment
The chief commissaire has been very tough throughout the entire track cycling meet… but he’s also been consistent.
5:42am
Dudd said | 5:42am | Report comment
Er, “consistent”? I don’t think so. Look at Guo Shuang v. Rodriguez. The Cuban won the 1st round well. Guo broke the rules in the 2nd and rode into her lane. Guo won, and her win was upheld when bafflingly she was excused the infringement by the judges, and went on to win the heat. Then compare that leniency with the reimposed rigidity when they relegated Pendleton in the sprint final. Weak, dumb inconsistency undermines the cyclists. Or is it an example of UCI manipulation, again?
2:56am
johnhunt92 said | 2:56am | Report comment
Australia’s medal tally
3 Gold
12 Silver
9 Bronze
Meares has proven herself to be a champion. The velodrome has been stunned
2:54am
johnhunt92 said | 2:54am | Report comment
RESULTS OF THE WOMEN’S SPRINT
1.Anna Meares (Australia)
2. Victoria Pendleton (Great Britain)
3. Guo Shaung (China)
2:53am
johnhunt92 said | 2:53am | Report comment
Heartbreak for Pendleton. She is absolutely devastated and inconsolable. Meares on the other hand is awash with jubilation as she has come so far since Beijing.
3:02am
Colin N said | 3:02am | Report comment
Devastated? Inconsolable? If she was those two things she wouldn’t have so sportingly clapped Anna Meares. The fact is that it’s the end of her career, there were always going to be tears, but that’s because she’s been through a lot, not because she lost to a worthy champion in Meares.
She’s just come on BBC saying: ‘I’m glad it’s over!’
3:53am
Rugby Fan said | 3:53am | Report comment
I don’t think “devastated” and “inconsolable” are inappropriate descriptions. Pendleton dearly wanted to win and coudn’t do it. The fact she’s upset doesn’t mean she resents Meares. There’s nothing about being devastated which makes you a bad loser.
Here’s Pendleton speaking after the race:
“I’m just so relieved and I’m overwhelmed with emotion. I would have loved to have won on my final race. I’m glad that it’s all done and I can move on.
“I’m glad that it was me and Anna Meares in the final, it was the way it should been. She was a fantastic competitor. But I’m very glad that that’s the last time I will be doing that.
“I can’t believe that twice in one competition that I’ve been disqualified and relegated, it’s unheard of. I really tried in that last race though and I can’t believe it’s all over.”
4:35am
Colin N said | 4:35am | Report comment
That quote proves my point. There was hardly much devastation in what she said there, more relief.
4:52am
Rugby Fan said | 4:52am | Report comment
If you start arguing Pendleton wasn’t devastated to lose, you end up implying she didn’t care about winning. I think that does a bigger disservice to her.
5:05am
Colin N said | 5:05am | Report comment
She was disappointed, but using terminology such as ‘devastated’ and ‘inconsolable’ implies that she didn’t want comforting and that she wanted to get out of the arena as quick as possible.
Look up what inconsolable means and whether it applies to Pendleton.
5:24am
Rugby Fan said | 5:24am | Report comment
Colin, Pendleton described herself as devastated when she and Varnish were disqualified a few days ago: “It’s a phenomenal crowd and I’m just really devastated that we’ve disappointed all the people that have come to support us.” Her use of the word then didn’t carry any of the meanings you see now.
Pendleton is a very emotional athlete, as we saw after her golds in Beijing. No-one was going to stop those tears after she lost today so I don’t think inconsolable is out of order either.
Neither word means she was an uncontrollable wreck after the loss. There’s no shame in a great competitor feeling the pain of losing in their last major race.
5:43am
Colin N said | 5:43am | Report comment
“Her use of the word then didn’t carry any of the meanings you see now.”
I don’t quite understand the point you’re trying to make there.
‘Inconsolable – so deeply distressed that nobody can offer any effective comfort’
If she’s that then why was she going around hugging everyone thanking them for their support? If feels a pretty irrelevant discussion, but if you’re willing to argue the point…..
2:52am
johnhunt92 said | 2:52am | Report comment
MEARES WINS GOLD!!!! Anna Meares is the Gold Medallist in the women’s sprint upsetting Pendleton in a brilliant race. Pendleton was forced to lead and could not get her speed up. Meares stormed home overtaking the Brit with a commanding performance. Meares is the champions upsetting her great rival. Unbelieveable
5:37am
TheSportsFreak said | 5:37am | Report comment
How good was THAT!
2:49am
johnhunt92 said | 2:49am | Report comment
Both tense as they warm up. Both staring each other down hoping to get a mental edge. Come On Anna
2:48am
johnhunt92 said | 2:48am | Report comment
If you’re nervous and you know it clap your hands!! Pendleton needs to win to stay in the hunt for gold while Meares can go up to legend
2:47am
johnhunt92 said | 2:47am | Report comment
GUO WINS RACE 2 AND CLAIMS BRONZE. Almost de ja vu with Vogel forced to lead for most of the race. Guo was happy to sit until the final straight before winning easily. Adds London bronze to Beijing Bronze
2:46am
Jarryd said | 2:46am | Report comment
Following the response on Twitter. According to the British, Mears is a cheat because she is Australia, and Pendleton can ride where she likes. Also it apparently had no effect on a race that went down to 0.001 of a second.
5:16am
awg131 said | 5:16am | Report comment
I couldnt disagree more. I think it DID have an effect on the race in the first leg, as Pendleton was disqualified despite winning. And noone said Pendleton can ride where she likes!!! That’s a silly thing to say. What they are saying is that Pendleton was nudged and, if she had to cross the line to regain her balance, they think she should not be penalised for that.
It probably also had on effect on the overall result – Pendleton herself said it affected her confidence. How can you focus when you have to worry about being knocked over? That will have got under her skin after having been disqualified in the team sprint. If she had not been disqualified, either she would have won after two legs or it would have gone to three – and I would favour Pendleton if it went to a third.
Another thing – the same thing happened in Beijing 2008. On that occasion, Meares was nudged and Guo was disqualified. Why was that not ok but in London 2012, it is ok?? Whatever the rules, for me, pushing and shoving is not in the Olympic spirit.
2:45am
johnhunt92 said | 2:45am | Report comment
VOGEL VS. GUO. Vogel needs to win to keep in the hunt for a medal
2:43am
johnhunt92 said | 2:43am | Report comment
I reckon she can do it Sports Freak. That loss wasn’t by much so I think she is in with a chance
2:36am
johnhunt92 said | 2:36am | Report comment
RELEGATION!! Pendleton has been relegated to second for crossing over the red line that separates the riders on the track. Anna Meares leads 1-0 in the race for gold.
2:40am
TheSportsFreak said | 2:40am | Report comment
Amazing drama! We had always wondered what 0.001 seconds looked like. I’ll frame that.
But Meares 1-up. I’m bloody nervous!
2:35am
johnhunt92 said | 2:35am | Report comment
Still no word on the finish
2:33am
johnhunt92 said | 2:33am | Report comment
WHAT A FINISH!!!! Pendleton looks to have won by 0.01 of a second but Phil Liggett reckons she has been disqualified for crossing over the red line on the track. Meares had great speed.
2:30am
johnhunt92 said | 2:30am | Report comment
A Heart beat is playing around the velodrome as the two stare each other down on the warm up lap
2:27am
johnhunt92 said | 2:27am | Report comment
GUO WINS RACE ONE TO LEAD 1-0. Guo shadowed Vogler all the way and out sprinted the German to take an early lead. The next race is the big one.
2:25am
johnhunt92 said | 2:25am | Report comment
Womens Sprint Bronze Medal race off Vogler vs. Guo. Big race
2:24am
johnhunt92 said | 2:24am | Report comment
Laura Trott comes out the winner of the Women’s Omnimum after a stunning win in the Time Trial. Edmonson of Australia takes Bronze in a upset. 1 Silver and 3 Bronze is our efforts at the Track
2:12am
johnhunt92 said | 2:12am | Report comment
Not long left until the Women’s Track Final. Get excited!!! Meares and Pendleton resting and waiting to resume a great rivalry.
1:54am
johnhunt92 said | 1:54am | Report comment
Women’s Omnium time trial about to begin
1:51am
johnhunt92 said | 1:51am | Report comment
Levy of Germany wins his heat of the Keirin while Shane Perkins comes 3rd to make it through to the medal round
1:46am
johnhunt92 said | 1:46am | Report comment
Chris Hoy wins his heat of the Kerien. What a superstar of the track
1:41am
johnhunt92 said | 1:41am | Report comment
Question to the Roar fans out there
Meares or Pendleton?
1:39am
johnhunt92 said | 1:39am | Report comment
Men’s Kirein up next
1:35am
johnhunt92 said | 1:35am | Report comment
MEARES 2-0 Through to the final. Guo gave it a mighty crack bursting out the pack and leading by a bike length. Meares was way too good thought overcoming Guo in the straight with blistering pace. We have the dream final coming up in about 1 hour.
1:32am
johnhunt92 said | 1:32am | Report comment
Anna Meares now into her second race against Shauang Guo. Looks quite relaxed
1:31am
johnhunt92 said | 1:31am | Report comment
PENDLETON 2-0 SHE IS THROUGH TO THE FINAL. Vogler could not do much as Pendleton’s raw speed was no match. Vogler lead until the straight but Pendleton tactically let her do this. Pendleton overtook her with 100m to go and with speed destroyed Vogler. Pressure on Meares now
1:28am
johnhunt92 said | 1:28am | Report comment
Vogler leads the warm up lap but Pendleton is watching her like a Hawk
1:27am
johnhunt92 said | 1:27am | Report comment
SPRINT IS BACK PENDLETON VS. VOGLER (Pendleton leads 1-0)
1:26am
johnhunt92 said | 1:26am | Report comment
SCRATCH RACE RESULTS
1. Annette Edmonson (Australia)-She Moves into the Bronze Medal Position
2. Sarah Hammer (United States)
3.Laura Trott (GB)
1:17am
johnhunt92 said | 1:17am | Report comment
21 laps left in the scratch race and it is a tight affair with Aussie Edmonson in the lead pack
1:15am
johnhunt92 said | 1:15am | Report comment
USA lead 7-6 in the Water Polo but our girls are still in there fighting hard
1:11am
johnhunt92 said | 1:11am | Report comment
A little break for now and the Onimum Scratch Race will take place. 6 events in one with the 40 lap track event happening today
1:08am
johnhunt92 said | 1:08am | Report comment
MEARES 1-0 in 11..683 seconds.”That is the old Anna Meares” according to Phil Liggett. Meares was challenged at times but always had the goods to get over the line holding off the Chinese challenger.
1:05am
johnhunt92 said | 1:05am | Report comment
Warm up lap begins both trying to fox each other out.
1:05am
johnhunt92 said | 1:05am | Report comment
Anna is up next. C’MON ANNA
1:04am
johnhunt92 said | 1:04am | Report comment
PENDELTON 1-0! in 11.481 seconds. Vogler was no chance as Pendleton controlled the sprint all the way through as Vogler could only get close to her shoulder. Pendleton’s speed down the straight is almost unbeatable
1:03am
johnhunt92 said | 1:03am | Report comment
Anf they are off
1:02am
johnhunt92 said | 1:02am | Report comment
And they are off in the warm up lap both looking at each other waiting for the bell
1:01am
johnhunt92 said | 1:01am | Report comment
Crowd going wild as the local hero and Olympic champion lines up for her Semi Final.
1:00am
johnhunt92 said | 1:00am | Report comment
She’s up as is Vogler nearly ready to go
12:59am
johnhunt92 said | 12:59am | Report comment
I think Pendleton has fallen asleep
12:59am
johnhunt92 said | 12:59am | Report comment
Pendleton is looking cool and relaxed with Meares 3 seats down also looking quite relaxed
12:57am
johnhunt92 said | 12:57am | Report comment
Vogler is getting ready. She looks pensive
12:55am
johnhunt92 said | 12:55am | Report comment
Here WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:52am
johnhunt92 said | 12:52am | Report comment
4:20 left in second quarter of Water Polo USA leads Australia 6-4.
12:46am
johnhunt92 said | 12:46am | Report comment
From the Guardian’s Live Blog of Day 10 of the Games
Having been out for a limber-up spin around the track about 20 minutes ago, Pendleton then took up her customary pre-race position in the British pits, sitting on a chair with her back to the left-hand side of the Union Jack backdrop that marks their territory, with Chris Hoy sitting to her left.
She had been chatting to assorted backroom staff, but then the ‘Do Not Disturb’ shades and headphones went on for 10 minutes or so and now she’s warming up on a stationary bike in order to limber up for the penultimate race of her career.
12:43am
johnhunt92 said | 12:43am | Report comment
Welcome back to live coverage of the Women’s Track Final. Foxtel’s Coverage does not begin until 12:55am AEST so until then make a coffee and sit back for some great entertainment.
All night I will be with Foxtel’s coverage in case Channel Nine drop out due to other commitments. I may also provide a Water Polo update every now and then as well as I know some will like an update (1/4 time 3-3).
11:02pm
johnhunt92 said | 11:02pm | Report comment
Hi fellow Roarers here is the outlay of the coverage tonight.
The Women’s Sprint Semi Final begins at 4pm (BST) or 1am (AEST). I will be online from 12:50am (AEST) until the competition of the Semi Finals including the reaction.
The Women’s Sprint Final will be conducted at 5:25pm (BST) or 2:25am (AEST). I shall be back online (provided nothing happens in between) at 2:15am (AEST)
Stay Tuned it shall be a good one
12:25am
Darryl Kotyk said | 12:25am | Report comment
I can’t wait, John. It’s going to be an exciting (and late) night.
10:34pm
leno said | 10:34pm | Report comment
The tiny Country of Yorkshire has just grabbed another gold` thats six i think.They dont need team GB