What we learned: Track Cycling highlights from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Find your top moments, replays and more from the track cycling competition right here.

6 min

(2021 Getty Images)

The Izu Velodrome, home of Track Cycling at Tokyo 2020, in 2021 hosted some truly pulse-racing, jaw-dropping action.

World records tumbled, familiar faces returned to glory and even then, there were still lots of shocks and surprises.

Great Britain, a formidable powerhouse in track cycling, maintained its steady grip on the sport medalling in seven of the 12 events.

Rising cycling stars such as Netherlands' Harrie Lavreysen however, were on hand to ensure that Team GB did not have things entirely their way, while countries like the United States enjoyed the first ever track cycling medals.

Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, a recap of the medal winners, and who to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics taking place in just three years time.

(2021 Getty Images)

Top 5 track cycling moments at Tokyo 2020

Here's our pick of the most memorable highlights from the velodrome in Japan.

1- Kenny: King of the Keirin

Jason Kenny became the first Briton ever to win seven Olympic gold medals after he crossed the line first in the men’s keirin event.

The defending Olympic champion added to his gold medal tally after he won Great Britain’s fourth consecutive Olympic gold in the race.

Kenny’s win was as stunning as it was decisive; the 33-year-old sprinted clear of the rest of the field with three laps remaining to ensure the gold was his.

The Briton now owns a total of nine Olympic medals (seven of which are gold) making him his country's most decorated Olympian ever.

(2021 Getty Images)

2- The Pocket Rocketman delivers for Malaysia

Four time Olympian Mohd Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia is now also a two-time Olympic medallist after he clinched silver in the men’s keirin event in Japan.

The two-time Malaysian Sportsman of the Year (2009, 2010) carried the weight of a nation into Tokyo after he scored an historic bronze in the keirin back in Rio 2016.

The man known affectionally as the Pocket Rocketman did not fail to deliver after he bested individual sprint gold medallist Harrie Lavreysen and Maximilian Levy of Germany in the semi-final.

3- Jennifer Valente: first-ever U.S. woman to win a track cycling title at the Olympics

American cyclist Jennifer Valente clocked an historic first for Team USA in the Izu Velodrome after she took gold in the women’s omnium competition.

Valente survived an event full of drama and peril to claim the title in what is a first for her country.

The 26-year-old took wins two of the events four races to beat Japan’s own KAJIHARA Yumi to the gold.

(2021 Getty Images)

4- Italy breaks the world record in men’s team pursuit

Records had a fragile look about them in the men’s team pursuit competition.

The world champions Denmark laid down an earlier marker of intent when they set a new Olympic record of 3:45.014 in the qualifying round.

Then in the final it was the Italians who shone.

After the Danes moved to take an early lead, Simone Consonni, Francesco Lamon, Filippo Ganna and Jonathan Milan held their nerve to close the gap in the final two laps of the race and secure the gold medal in a world record smashing time.

They blistered through the finish line in 3:42.032 and the world sat in awe.

(2021 Getty Images)

5- Two flying Ddutchmen duel for gold

Harrie Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland may well have been allies in the men’s team sprint competition, but all friendship ties were cut just before the individual sprint event.

And just as well because the race for gold fell between the two Dutchmen, and it was a tight affair.

Lavreysen won the first battle with a 0.012s margin before Hoogland retaliated by surviving the second by 0.015s.

In the third and final sprint the 24-year-old Lavreysen managed to stave off his compatriot to clinch the gold and become the third Dutchman ever to win the individual sprint at the Olympic Games in over a century.

(2021 Getty Images)

One to watch

Jason wasn’t the only Kenny making history in Tokyo.

Laura Kenny (née Trott), Jason’s wife, became Britain’s most successful female Olympian in Japan after she added a silver in the team pursuit and a gold in the Madison to her Olympic medal cabinet.

It was something of a magical Madison performance for Kenny and partner Katie Archibald. The Britons finished the event with 78 points - more than double the points of their nearest rival in second place.

Kenny's feats in Tokyo saw her rewarded with the honour of being the flag-bearer for the Closing Ceremony.

Hello Paris 2024

With youth striking well across the board in the track cycling at Tokyo 2020 we can expect to see some familiar faces return in time for Paris 2024.

Jason Kenny, who had retired after Rio 2016, hinted that he was not having similar thoughts again after his triumphs in Japan. Laura Kenny also suggested that she couldn't see herself stopping now.

The Saint-Quetin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, built in 2014, will host the track cycling events.