Richardson Reigns and Knight Stuns on Day Two of the Lloyds National Track Championships
Men’s Sprint
Matthew Richardson (Team Inspired) won his second national jersey in GB colours after a dominant performance - cruising through knockout rounds without losing a single match, to make the gold medal final. His opponent was teammate Harry Ledingham-Horn who beat Archie Gill (Private Member) in both semifinal rounds, responding to his early attacks but catching him to beat him on the line.
On his win, Richardson said; “It’s good to win another national jersey. It was a conservative day. I respected my opponents but obviously raced smart as I didn’t want to waste too much energy and line it up if I needed to in the final.
“It wasn’t the hardest day I’ve ever had on a bike but it’s all part of learning. It’s still very special but nothing will quite top the first time, as last year was obviously really special.”
Women’s Individual Pursuit
Josie Knight (DAS Hutchinson) set the pace in the women’s individual pursuit with the fastest qualifying time, edging just 0.141 seconds ahead of world and national champion Anna Morris (Private Member) to set up a highly anticipated final. Erin Boothman (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Jessica Roberts (Spectra Racing) secured the remaining medal spots, with Boothman later claiming bronze. In the gold medal showdown, Morris opened strongly and built an early lead, but Knight mounted a fierce late charge, overturning the gap in the final laps to snatch victory on the line and deny Morris a successful title defence.
Speaking about a strong final, Knight said: “Honestly I think it’s an absolute privilege to race Anna [Morris]. She pushes you on to be better, you’re up against a world champion and that comes with some pedigree. You want to beat the best and that’s her, I’m happy that I’ve done that today.”
Women’s C4-5 Time-Trial
Kadeena Cox added to her medal haul with a dominant win, showcasing new pacing tactics as she adapted to the longer kilo distance.
Last to race, having seen strong times set prior, Kadeena was flawless in her execution, growing from strength to strength as the race went on. A confident race from Crystal Lane-Wright (BCP - Private Member) saw her finish second, while Rebecca Newark (JAD - Jadan Glasdon pb Vive le Velo) finished in third.
Commenting on her race, Cox said: “I feel like I’m trying to play around with new tactics. I’m used to riding the 500 (m time-trial) and just going all guns blazing, so I tried to taper back the first lap a little bit so I had a bit more on the second and third lap.
On the difference between the 500m and new kilo distance: “It does feel like a massive difference with the new event, I am a ‘sprinter’ sprinter - one lap is probably my best, so it’s a challenge, but also I feel like it’s a challenge like it’s the type of challenge I’ve needed for the past few years.”
List of National Champions on Day two:
Jenny Holl, Sophie Unwin, Women's B Sprint
Emma Finucane, Rhianna Parris-Smith, Lowri Thomas, Women's Team Sprint
Chris Latham, Moran Fice-Noyes, Para-cycling Men's B Individual pursuit
Matthew Bostock, Men's Scratch Race
Matthew Richardson, Men's Sprint
Josie Knight, Women's Individual pursuit
Fin Graham, Para cycling Men’s C1-3 Elimination
Archie Atkinson, Para cycling C4-5 Elimination
