Paris 2024 track cycling: All results, as New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews sprints to victory women’s keirin

New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews rode an audacious race, leading from the front to win the women’s track cycling keirin at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on Thursday, 8 August.

She took the lead with two laps remaining, refusing to surrender the sprinter’s lane or her leading position. She crossed the finish line with room to spare, stamping her authority on the women’s keirin at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“I really was just focusing on myself and just responding to what the other riders around me were going to be doing,” said Andrews. “To be honest, my plan from the start was to respond and react to everyone else, and hopefully that would put me in the right position coming into the bell.”

Her decision to take the initiative early and prevent any moves from her rivals paid off. It left five riders fighting for her wheel, and ultimately, the silver and bronze medals.

Great Britain’s Emma Finucane made the early move, attempting to pass Andrews on the outside of the track with more than a lap left to race. She remained on the shoulder of Andrews, dropping into her draft around the final turn.

Unfortunately, Finucane paid dearly for her efforts. The Netherlands’ Hetty van de Wouw passed her on the final straight, using her fresher legs to overpower the British rider and claim the silver medal.

Finucane was forced to settle for the bronze medal, but it was still a worthy reward in her eyes.

“That field was so strong,” said an elated Finucane. “You have the world champion Ellesse [Andrews], you have Hetty [van de Wouw], you have myself and there’s six really strong women in there.

“I’m so thankful that I was in the mix and to get a bronze medal. Literally, when I crossed that line, I couldn’t believe it.”

Van de Wouw was equally pleased to be on the podium, even if it wasn’t the step she desired.

“It feels great,” said Van de Wouw. “Of course, I was going for gold, but getting second, I’m really happy about it. I’ve been fourth a lot of times last season, so I’m very happy.”

All three medalists took their respective spots on the podium, with the crowd applauding their efforts after a thrilling day of racing at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome.

Track cycling: Women's keirin podium

Gold: Ellesse Andrews, New Zealand

Silver: Hetty van de Wouw, Netherlands

Bronze: Emma Finucane, Great Britain

Find full results on Olympics.com.