Neah Evans relegated from World Cup gold on opening night

BySportsbeat

Updated 03/11/2017 at 22:26 GMT

Neah Evans will likely never experience heart-break quite like this opening night of the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup.

Neah Evans of Great Britain competes during the UCI Cycling World Cup, Women's Scratch Race final, at Alcides Nieto Patino velodrome, on February 18, 2017, in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia.

Image credit: Getty Images

Crossing the line first in the 10km scratch race, the Scot seemed to have secured her maiden medal on the global stage – and a gold one to boot – after a stunning late burst in Pruszkow.

Eurosport Player One Year Pass for just £29.99

But, with the commissaire deeming her to have ridden on the blue band, the ecstasy was quickly replaced with disappointment and relegation into fourth place, out of the medals.

Tour de France

Evenepoel trying to enjoy 'mid-season break' after crash, targets Tour de France

18 hours ago

The fact that Evans was in contention to begin with was a huge achievement, with three riders looking set to battle it out for the podium positions after a late breakaway, among them eventual winner Maria Averina.

After hauling herself back single-handedly, the 27-year-old not only rejoined the group but took the burst on the line, only for the officials to cut short the celebrations due to an infringement on the inside of the track.

This is just Evans' second World Cup appearance and it was not the only race of her day, joining Manon Lloyd, Emily Nelson and Emily Kay in the team pursuit qualifiers.

That encounter was not to be as dramatic, safely qualifying in the third fastest time to set up a first-round clash with Canada on Saturday.

There was also success for the British sprint teams, with Joe Truman, Jack Carlin and Ryan Owens making it through to round one.

They will be joined by Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant, the eighth-fastest qualifiers in their first World Cup as a pairing.

Friday's other finals saw Emily Nelson finish ninth in the points race, while Matt Bostock finished sixth in the men's equivalent despite this being his World Cup debut.

Tour of the Alps

Stage 5 highlights: Paret-Peintre wins final stage after Thomas attack, Lopez tops GC

00:03:39

21 hours ago

Tour of the Alps

Tour of the Alps Stage 4 highlights as Britain's Carr surges to victory and Lopez retains GC lead

00:02:51

Yesterday at 15:32

Cycling

Cavendish set to return from illness at Tour of Turkey as Tour de France preparation continues

18/04/2024 at 08:42

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me