Kiesanowski on track in omnium

Jo Kiesanowski in the omnium flying lap ©Guy Swarbrick

Mar 27th, 11. Kiwi road-pro Jo Kiesanowski has an Olympic dream; she moved a step closer to it today with a solid showing in the first day of the women's omnium at the UCI Track World Championships.

In the opening day of the women's omnium, Kiesanowski finished the day in 7th place after the first three of six events.

The Christchurch road-pro was 9th after a strong effort in the flying lap clocking 14.992 on the heavy Apeldoorn track.

After a fantastic start which saw her 5th fastest after 50m, she finished just fractionally outside her best time.

Like Archbold, the points race proved costly. The omnium winner is the rider with the least points at the end of the competition; consistently high placings are needed to be on the final podium.

In the individual points race two days ago, Kiesanowski placed 9th overall, but in the omnium points race today, she only managed 17th, and therefore picked up 17 points.

Kiesanowski rebounded for an incredible showing in the elimination race.  She showed off the superb track skills to hold off to be the second to last rider to be eliminated.

Tomorrow she competes in the individual pursuit, scratch race and time trial events.

The women's omnium is a new event at the Olympics, and Kiesanowski wants to be the first Kiwi representative.

17th in the omnium points race lost her a few placings overall ©Guy Swarbrick

Jo K - down to the final two in the omnium elimination ©Guy Swarbrick

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