France claims track world championships

PARIS – France picked up their second gold medal at the Track Cycling World Championships on home soil when Marie Divine Kouame claimed the 500 metres title.

The 20-year-old Kouame clocked 32.835 seconds – the only rider under 33 seconds – to finish ahead of Germany’s Emma Hinze, who had the best time in the qualifications.

China’s Yufang Guo took third place.

No Frenchwoman had won the 500m title since Felicia Ballanger in 1999 in Berlin.

Kouame’s triumph came a day after compatriot Mathilde Gros stunned the mighty Germans in the individual sprint.

Also, British rider Ethan Hayter claimed gold in the Omnium.

Hayter was untouchable, finishing with a 20 point bonus. French rider Benjamin Thomas stormed home to claim silver, while New Zealander Aaron Gate took the bronze.

Thomas, twice world champion himself, was chasing a third crown, but Hayter could not be topped.

With 11 laps to go, Hayter took off. Thomas tried to match him, and nearly did. Gate, who finished second in the event last year, held on to take third.

Hayter won his first world title in 2018 as part of the British team pursuit squad.

Hayter is the first rider to successfully defend the Omnium title since Fernando Gaviria in 2015 and 2016.

After an impressive year on the road, Hayter returned to the track in Paris.

The British rider suffered a rare setback in September at the World Championships, when his chain came off late in the time trial during the event in Wollongong, Australia.

That disappointment aside, Hayter won the British National Time Trial, the Tour of Poland as well as stages of the Tours of Romandie, Norway, Algarve and impressing in the Vuelta.

GB’s Josie Knight picked up bronze in the individual pursuit.

Germany’s Franziska Brausse took first place, while another New Zealander, Bryony Bortha, snatched silver.

Belgian duo Lotte Kopecky and Shari Bossuyt beat out French pair Clara Copponi and Valentine Fortin by a single point in the women’s madison only after the inverse was initially announced. The confusion was swiftly cleared up and the Belgians were confirmed as the champions.