Women Elite Keirin Final for gold - Ellesse Andrews of New Zealand 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ellesse Andrews created history with a gold medal in the women's keirin on day four of track action at the World Cycling Championships in Glasgow.
The 23-year-old from Christchurch became the first New Zealand rider to win an individual gold medal in a sprint discipline at a world championship, and it follows her silver medal in the same event at the Tokyo Olympics one year ago yesterday.
Her brilliantly planned race was perfectly executed to hold off Colombia's two-time world championship medallist, Martha Bayona Pineda to claim the title.
It needed a photo finish to confirm the victory, with officials also checking a slight movement in the lane by the kiwi, before she could celebrate with her parents and grandfather in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
The gold medal takes New Zealand's tally to five medals, equal best at a world championships, with three days of competition remaining.
Andrews was second in her quarterfinal behind Germany's Emma Hinze, and rode confidently to qualify for the final after finishing second to another German, Lea Sophie Friedrich in the semifinal.
She drew the back mark in the final, pushed forward quickly when the derny left the track, and sprinted to the front with a lap to go. She held off the challenge down the back straight and lost the lead narrowly to Bayona but reclaimed the advantage with another push on the bend, holding on to win by the narrowest of margins.
Bayona was second 0.01s behind with eight-time world champion, Friedrich 0.1s back in third.
"This has been a dream for a long, long time. My last rainbow jersey was in elite juniors in 2017 so I have been pushing for this one for a long time and super-proud to bring it home for New Zealand this year," said Andrews.
Ellesse Andrews of New Zealand leads Martha Bayona Pineda of Colombia, Hetty van der Wouw of The Netherlands in the women's keirin final at 2023 World Cycling Championships. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We had planned for every scenario so when I drew six, me and Nick (Flyger) had a couple of words and I was super-clear on what I needed to do. And the race played out exactly how I wanted it too.
"The key was absolutely that push to stay in the lead around the bend. That last acceleration on the back straight was absolutely everything I had and from there honestly it was holding on as best I could because Martha (Pineda) was coming at me in.
"It was not until that photo finish was confirmed that I was sure but it has still not sunk in.
"It was so special to have both my parents and my granddad here to celebrate this moment with me. After every round I heard them cheering and waving at me."
There is little respite for Andrews after a long night with presentations, media and doping to eat and get some rest before she returns for the individual sprint qualifying tomorrow morning.
In other action on the track, Tom Sexton was 11th fastest in qualifying in the 4000m individual pursuit and 2019 world champion Campbell Stewart was 11th in the four-discipline omnium.
Emily Shearman finished 20th in the women's elimination race.
On the road Ryan Christensen was the best of the kiwi riders in the 271km elite men's road race finishing 48th.
Australian-based Wellington mountain biker, Samara Sheppard has finished sixth in the 95km elite women's mountain bike marathon.