Factbox: Marianne Vos,
Netherlands
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Marianne Vos of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Marianne Vos claimed the title in this event with 30 points. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> |
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Gold medalist Marianne Vos of
Netherlands waves to spectators at the awarding ceremony of the women's
points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan
Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Marianne Vos claimed the title
in this event with 30 points. (Xinhua/Hou Deqiang) Photo
Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Marianne Vos of the
Netherlands broke Briton's domination on the cycling track by winning the
women's points race at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Monday.
The 21-year old world champion dominated the race
well and became the only rider to overlap the peloton, collecting a total of 30
points for the gold.
"A couple of laps before the end I knew (I would
win). All the attacks stranded at half a lap. Winning the gold is wonderful."
Vos said.
She pumped her fist and let out a shriek after
crossing the finish line to win the first cycling gold at Beijing Games for the
Netherlands.
Vos, the first woman to have won world championships
in road, track and cross country mountain bike, was satisfied with her first
Olympic gold.
"I knew track was completely different. I didn't feel
bad in the Road Race or the Time Trial. It felt good in training so I had
confidence for this." She said.
The race featured a crash in the early stage, which
forced Sarah Hammer of the United States, Japanese Satomi Wadami and Verena
Jooss of Germany all withdraw from the race.
"The crash was early in the race and after 20 laps. I
was just able to gain a lap at the right moment. Then I tried to recover." added
Vos.
The silver medal was taken by Cuban Yoanka Gonzalez
with 18 points, while the bronze medal went to Leire Olaberria of Spain in 13
points.
"The strategy for the last laps was to save
everything for the final sprint. I had to work a little to control the final
sprint. I gave everything I had. I had nothing more to give. I was totally
spent." explained Gonzalez for her silver run.
Chinese Li Yan amassed six points to earn a 10th
place finishing with an outstanding first-place run in the 50th lap.
Britain's Rebecca Romero, who triumphed in the
women's individual pursuit last Sunday, finished 11th in just the second points
race she has competed in.
The women's cycling points race is a complex 100-lap
event where riders get points awarded in sprints every 10th lap around the
velodrome.
On the sprint laps, five points are awarded for first
place, three for second, two for third and, one for fourth and the rider with
the most points wins the race.
Britain dominated the track by winning four golds so
far.
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Marianne Vos of Netherlands celebrates
after winning the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games
cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Marianne Vos claimed the title in this event. (Xinhua/Zhang
Duo Photo) Photo
Gallery>>> |
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Gold medalist Marianne Vos (C) of the
Netherlands, silver medalist Yoanka Gonzalez (L) of Cuba, bronze medalist
Leire Olaberria of Spain show their medals at the awarding ceremony of the
women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at
Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Marianne Vos claimed
the title in this event with 30 points. (Xinhua/Hou Deqiang) Photo
Gallery>>> |