Difficult decade continues in Tokyo for Australia’s Olympic track cyclists | Kieran Pender
02-Aug-2021 17:30:33 | The Guardian
A slow qualifier and a crash have left both the men’s and women’s team pursuit squads with work to do
Speaking last week ahead of the Tokyo 2020 track cycling competition, three-time Olympian Annette Edmondson was upbeat. “We’re definitely hoping to turn things around,” she said.
A horror opening session for Australia on day one at the Izu Velodrome on Monday has made that a tough ask. Edmondson’s team pursuit squad saw their gold medal hopes ended prematurely with a slow qualifying time, before a dramatic crash left her male counterparts in the lurch. While the men’s team pursuit quartet were ultimately permitted to have a second ride, their final time was just outside the top four, meaning they, too, will have to settle for an attempt at the bronze medal.
Related: Team GB eclipsed by Denmark’s Olympic record in men’s team pursuit
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