Clancy leads Britain to team pursuit win at track cycling

APELDOORN, Netherlands (AP) — Three-time Olympic champion Edward Clancy led a youthful Britain team to victory in the men’s pursuit at the track cycling world championships on Thursday.

Also the Olympic women’s champion, Britain, came second to the United States, which won the world title for a third straight year.

Clancy won his sixth world title and teammates Kiam Emadi, Charlie Tanfield and Ethan Hayter their first in beating Denmark to the gold medal. Italy was third.

“I’m just happy to still be here. I’ll be 33 in a couple of weeks,” Clancy said. “I still have massive passion. When we get it right and win, nothing feels this good.”

The Americans dominated the women’s team pursuit, and never trailed in the final against Britain.

“After getting second at the Olympics it’s nice to get a win here,” U.S. anchor Chloe Dygart said. “However, even with the win, our goal is still looking ahead at Tokyo (in 2020). That’s what we are focused on.”

A silver medal was still remarkable for Britain’s Laura Kenny, the four-time Olympic gold medalist who gave birth to her first child in August and didn’t begin training with her team until early January.

“My comeback was supposed to be in August so to be here and take home a silver with the girls is way more than I expected,” Kenny said.

Her teammate Katie Archibald will not defend her omnium title on Friday, instead her madison partner Elinor Barker will go for it.

Yauheni Karaliok of Belarus won the men’s scratch race. He, Michele Scartezzini of Italy and Callum Scotson of Australia lapped the field, and Karaliok proved to be the stronger of the leading trio.

Also, Fabian Hernando Zapata of Colombia took the men’s keirin, improving on his silver medal last year. He took the lead on the final turn.

Tomoyuki Kawabata of Japan was second, and Maximillian Levy of Germany third.

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