Cyclists’ mirror reflections at Minsk-Arena velodrome
The competition gathered 150 cyclists from 16 countries, competing in the omnium (elimination race), sprint, scratch (mass start race), git (time cycling), point race, team sprint, keirin (final sprint to the finish at top speed) and madison (race for endurance). All are on the official calendar of the International Cycling Association and are used to win Olympic rating points.
On the first day, Belarus won eight medals in the men’s and women’s point race, and in the junior scratch and men’s team sprint. On the second day, omnium medals were forthcoming. Tatiana Sharakova — who led the women’s team — confidently completed the final point race, being ahead by a whole lap and guaranteeing herself first place in the final qualification round. Silver went to Russia’s Gulnaz Badykova and Lithuania’s Ausrine Trebaite captured bronze.
In the men’s omnium, Belarusian Roman Tishkov won, followed by Artem Zakharov. Bronze went to Ukraine’s Vladislav Kreminsky.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian team’s third gold was won by Vitaly Prokopchuk, for the junior point race. Silver went to Alexandra Karpovich and bronze to Vladimir Sokolov and Oksana Safonchik. In the scratch, Anton Muzychkin won silver.
The Belarusian team won 16 medals during the two day cycling competition. The next Grand Prix tournament (highway) — held under the aegis of the International Cycling Association — will be hosted by Minsk, from July 4th-5th.
By Kirill Karin
