Harrie Lavreysen wins gold in all Dutch men's sprint final

In a men's sprint final that came down to the third and last race, the Netherlands' Harrie Lavreysen has been crowned the Olympic champion in a close battle with fellow team member Jeffery Hoogland at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The two-time world champion in the event became just the third Dutch cyclist to win the gold medal in the men's sprint and the first in 89 years - Jacques van Egmond won at Berlin 1932.

"After World Championships in 2019, where I became world champion it was a small thought [I might become an Olympic champion] but I had no idea," said Lavreysen.

"Going into the Olympics as a three-time world champion [in team sprint], I'm not only coming for the team sprint so I was hoping for more medals but also it was my first Olympics so I didn't know anything about it, how it would go, how it would feel but it was amazing."

Hoogland had won the first of the three races before a close finish in the second saw compatriot Lavreysen just pip him on the the line, sending the battle for gold to a final decider.

The deciding race saw Hoogland take the lead as both riders slowly made their way around the track at Izu Velodrome but Lavreysen came from behind in the final stretch to claim gold.

"I think the Netherlands did amazing here, getting into the final with two riders. I think that shows we push each other so hard," Hoogland said.

"I honestly had like a mentally really rough year because I lost worlds before to him, mentally fighting so hard every day to keep up with him. I finally closed the gap with 200m (to go), I was so strong but couldn’t finish it.”

Great Britain's Olympic debutant Jack Carlin held off ROC's Denis Dmitriev for the bronze medal.