Wild retains title as stand-in Archibald falls short

Women's omnium champion Kirsten Wild retained her title at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Pruszkow on Friday.

Wild was pipped to gold by Great Britain's Elinor Barker in a dramatic 10 kilometre scratch race on the opening night, but she returned to the top of the podium in the omnium.

The Dutch star edged out Letizia Paternoster, protecting a narrow advantage in the final sprint, while Jennifer Valente claimed bronze.

Great Britain were represented by Katie Archibald, the 2017 champion, as two-time winner Laura Kenny was forced to withdraw due to illness.

But Archibald could only finish seventh overall, failing in several bids to break clear and gain a lap after a nasty fall in a crash with Valente earlier in the points race.

2018 2019 @kirsten_wild defends her World Title in the Women's Omnium! #Pruszkow2019 pic.twitter.com/kuCAuQiuiO

— UCI Track Cycling (@UCI_Track) March 1, 2019

Meanwhile, Italy's Filippo Ganna won the men's individual pursuit for the third time in four years after easing away from Domenic Weinstein of Germany.

Stephanie Morton paid the price for an early move in the second race of the women's sprint final, finishing second for a third year running as Hong Kong rider Lee Wai Sze took first place.

Quentin Lafargue snatched the men's one kilometre time trial gold away from Theo Bos, while Jan-Willem van Schip won the points race.