England sweep up in cycling pursuit
16th March 2006Team England track cyclists produced an historic clean sweep of the medals in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit tonight (Thursday - the first time English athletes have won all three medals in a cycling event in Commonwealth Games history.
Stockport’s Paul Manning took gold in the all-England final coming from behind to beat Derbyshire’s Ron Hayles after they had produced the two fastest qualifying times earlier in the evening. Manning, who won a bronze in this event in 2002, rode to a time of 4:23.799 in the final, beating his English team-mate by nearly five seconds.
“I’m so pleased with that,” said Manning after winning Team England’s first cycling gold since 1994. “I rode well in qualifying but I knew I had to back it up with a second ride.
“We’re all absolutely delighted,” said Hayles. “We were hoping to get a medal but we never dreamed of getting all three. This is brilliant for English cycling.”
Merseyside’s Stephen Cummings took his first major individual medal when he beat New Zealand’s Jason Allen to take the bronze with a ride of 4:24.767.
“I said the other day no one knew what Steve could do, including himself,” said Manning of his young team-mate. “And he showed his potential here. He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Manning led briefly in the early stages of the final, but Hayles had sneaked ahead by the end of the first kilometre. It was desperately close, though, with only three tenths separating the riders.
Hayles pulled away until he had a lead of nearly half a second by the half way point.
But Manning wasn’t going to be beaten easily and he began his charge. By the three kilometre point he was back in the lead as Hayles’ fast early pace began to tell. The man from High Peak faded in the closing stages and Manning punched the air as he crossed the line.
“I’ve been there or thereabouts for four or five years,” said Manning. “I’ve had medals at world and Olympic level but obviously gold is great.
“But to us this is a team sport and winning all three is superb for the team.”
The England cyclists had made their medal intentions clear from the start, as they dominated the qualifying round earlier in the evening on day one of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Manning and Hayles ensured England would have the gold and silver medals when they posted the top two times. Manning overpowered New Zealand’s Hayden Roulston to record 4:21.801, and Hayles crossed the line only fractionally slower in 4:21.837 eclipsing his opponent, the home favourite Mark Jamieson of Australia.
“It was pretty close to my best,” said Manning of his qualifying time. “But I thought I would have to break a personal best to win the final.”
Cummings was also in sparkling form as he recorded 4:25.570, the fourth quickest qualifying time. In the bronze medal ride he was simply too good for Allen, leading from the start and never wavering to ensure England’s monopoly of the medal podium.
England must now be clear favourites for the team pursuit title on Saturday (18 March).