Lea Sophie Friedrich missed the world championship title in the sprint by a hair’s breadth. Emma Hinze also had to congratulate her opponent in the small final.
The German sprinters Lea Sophie Friedrich and Emma Hinze miss a golden finish at the track cycling world championships.
The two German super sprinters put on a spectacular show again on the last day of the Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, but missed a crowning glory.
Spectators on the part of the British
On Wednesday (08/09/2023) the 23-year-old Friedrich had to be beaten in the final of the sprint competition after two exciting runs by the British Emma Finucane, who was loudly cheered on by the spectators – and had to be satisfied with the silver medal.
“It was a tough World Championship, I’m really exhausted. I’m very, very happy about the silver medal, even if it didn’t look like it at first. I gave everything.”said Friedrich, who won a medal in all four competitions in Scotland: “I can be proud of that.”
A few minutes earlier, Hinze had raced past the bronze medal. The 25-year-old from Hildesheim lost in the race for third place after two heats against Ellesse Andrews from New Zealand. “I couldn’t get it to switch in my head”said the 25-year-old from Hildesheim.
Both remain at eight world titles
Another triumph should not come for the successful duo. After the gold medal with a world record in the team sprint at the start of the competitions in Scotland and Hinze’s victory in the non-Olympic time trial over 500 m, in which Friedrich finished third, both exceptional sprinters remain with a total of eight world championship titles.
The world championship record in the women’s competition by Kristina Vogel is still within reach. Only three titles separate Friedrich and Hinze from the former dominator, who has been in a wheelchair since her serious training accident in 2018 due to paraplegia. However, unlike Vogel, they cannot (yet) boast a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
With a lot of tailwind into the Olympic year
After the successful world championship, Friedrich and Hinze are racing into the upcoming Olympic year with a powerful tailwind. In Paris, they are aiming for at least one win after the duo had won the silver medal in Tokyo in the team sprint, which was then held with only two starters.
Almost sold out Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome from Glasgow Friedrich had previously successfully taken revenge. The exceptional sprinter from Dassow prevailed after two runs against Andrews. The New Zealander had denied Friedrich the third triumph in the keirin on Sunday, the defending champion only came in third.
Two-time sprint world champion Hinze, on the other hand, lost to Finucane with the same result. Like Friedrich, Hinze won gold twice in Scotland. Last Friday, the woman from Hildesheim won the time trial over the non-Olympic 500 m, Friedrich took bronze.
Kluge in fourth place in the points race
The former road pro Roger Kluge just missed out on a medal in the points race at the end of the World Championships in Glasgow. The 37-year-old collected a total of 89 points in the wooden oval on the last day, so the 2008 Olympic silver medalist was only six short of bronze in fourth place. Aaron Gate (123 points) from New Zealand won the title.
Kluge impressed with his strong stamina. He scored the majority of his points in the second half of the 160-lap (40km) race, but his fight wasn’t rewarded with a medal. The day before, the veteran had finished seventh in a duo with Theo Reinhardt at the Madison.
Kluge ended his active career on the road last year and has been concentrating on the track ever since.