More British medals as Track World Cup draws to a close

Anything the men can do, the women can do exactly the same.

It’s fair to say the British have a penchant for the team pursuit - reigning Olympic champions, and now World Cup gold medallists on home soil in Manchester.

Saturday night was the men’s night but Sunday belonged to the women’s quartet - Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Neah Evans and Emily Nelson dominating their Italian opponents to win gold.

The Brits proved simply unstoppable throughout the final, the European champion Italians no match as they slipped further behind with the crowd cheering one team only.

With their opponents almost in sight, the British four crossed the line in a time of 4:16.803 with the Italians following almost five seconds later.

And with this being only the second time this quartet had raced together, Olympic champion Barker insists the future looks bright with Tokyo 2020 on the distant horizon.

“We had a minimal team strategy and it worked well,” she said.

“It’s a massive confidence boost for us and I think it’s a big statement to make.

“I think it was pretty unexpected. We didn’t expect Saturday’s time and we didn’t expect Sunday’s either.

“It’s one of the fastest times we have done outside of the Olympic Games, so it’s a good place to be in especially at this point in the cycle.

“We’ve got another two-and-a-half-years or so to get another six seconds out of us.”

There was success too for Olympic team sprint champion Callum Skinner, who won kilometre time trial bronze having been forced to sit out the previous World Cup round with a back injury.

Representing 100% ME, Skinner looked set for silver with his time of 1:01.161, but Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer set a winning time in the final ride of the competition to knock the Brit down a step.

“I’m really happy. It was in the kilo at the Euros where I injured my back,” Skinner said.

“To come here, to put in a better time, to get a medal and to do it injury free is a good step forward.

“In the last lap it was really special to have the crowd and it gave me a little bit extra. You can really hear them go and this place is electric when everyone’s shouting your name - it makes a big difference.

“I was keen to get back and compete here, it’s our home track and it’s the one that launched my Olympic career from the junior steps onwards.”

It was an impressive day for young sprinter Joe Truman, who reached the final of the men’s keirin having won his two previous rounds.

But it wasn’t to be for the 20-year-old against a world-class field, eventually finishing sixth.

Elsewhere, Rio bronze medallist Katy Marchant reached the 1/8 finals of the individual sprint - losing to eventual winner and world champion Kristina Vogel - while Mark Stewart and Chris Latham finished sixth in the men’s Madison. Photos: SWpix.com Sportsbeat 2017