CYCLING: Laura Kenny triumphs as husband Jason misses out on national jersey

The second day of the HSBC UK | National Track Championships in Manchester saw two of the most decorated British athletes in action.

Four-time Olympic champion, Laura Kenny CBE won gold in the 15km scratch race but had to fight hard as Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker proved to be stiff competition.

Kenny emphasised how important winning a national title is to her, stating: “Sometimes people think because you’ve won at world championships and Olympics, Nationals can’t mean too much, but it does. Every race means something, and to wear this jersey means you’ve not only beaten the other girls from your country, you’ve beaten the world’s best.”

Laura Kenny takes sensational scratch race triumph on first nationals return since 2015! ?

Another superb day of racing at the 2019 HSBC UK | National Track Championships! ??

Read the full report below ⬇️ https://t.co/hokhfk0HJO pic.twitter.com/9dxUpSr7DD

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) January 26, 2019

However her husband and joint-most successful Olympian for Great Britain, Jason Kenny CBE, missed out on gold in the sprint event, but still has an opportunity to take the national jersey in the men’s keirin tomorrow.

Kenny’s competitor in the final, Joe Truman edged clear to take gold in the sprint event.

A close sprint to the line saw Jessica Crampton finish first in the women’s keirin.

In a highly contested event, Mathew Rotherham of Sports City Velo won the 1km time trial final. He was just over a second quicker than the silver medalist Jonathan Wale.

Rhys Britton took home the gold medal for the men’s scratch race with a total of 35 points after a gruelling 30km on the track.

Earlier in the day, world champions Steve Bate MBE and Adam Duggleby won their first national title in the para B pursuit, their fastest time since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Louis Richie MBE defended his C1-5 pursuit title, as well as recording his second fastest time.

In tomorrow’s final session, medals will be up for grabs in the women’s team sprint, time trial and points race, as well as the men’s keirin, team pursuit and scratch race.

Photo Credits: swpix.com