World Track Cycling Championships: GB's Katie Archibald wins omnium title

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After securing a dominating victory in the women’s omnium, Katie Archibald won Great Britain's First Gold Medal at this year's World Championships.

Archibald was able to finish on 137 points, after he had won the scratch, tempo, and elimination races. He also did well in the climactic point race with a measured ride.

Lotte Kopecky from Belgium finished second, with Elisa Balsamo from Italy in third.

Archibald said, "I turned out pretty nervous," and added her maiden Omnium world title in 2017.

"I looked at the other riders in scratch race and elimination and thought, 'gee they look fast.'

"Especially with the qualifiers it was like an event warm-up. When the first event goes well, such as I did with scratch, it gives you more confidence and allows you to race aggressively throughout the day."

This victory by the 27-year old is the latest in a remarkable 2021.

She was the Olympic madison champion with Laura Kenny at Tokyo Games in August. Then, she won three gold medals at European Championships in Switzerland this month.

Archibald said, "This has been an amazing year," and narrowly avoided a crash that involved several riders earlier in Friday's elimination race.

"I will be racing in the madison tomorrow with Neah Evans and we have our qualifying event in 13 hours. So a nice spin, some Ice because I hurt my knee in elimination knock, and then just keep on going."

Archibald led by 20 points going into the points race. He produced another confident ride and finished 18 points ahead Kopecky, 21 points better than Balsamo, and 21 points ahead of world road race champion Balsamo.