Pendleton, Meares into sprint quarters

LONDON (AFP) –

Britain’s Victoria Pendleton sets a new Olympic record as she competes in the women’s cycling sprint qualifying in the velodrome at The Olympic Park at The 2012 Olympic Games in London. Pendleton and Beijing silver medallist Anna Meares remained on collision course for sprint gold at the Velodrome after coasting into the quarter-finals on Sunday.

Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton and Beijing silver medallist Anna Meares remained on collision course for sprint gold at the Velodrome after coasting into the quarter-finals on Sunday.

Pendleton, crowned keirin champion on Friday, started her campaign by posting a new Olympic record of 10.724sec for the 200m flying lap — the opening salvo in the demanding, three-day battle for the sprint crown.

The 31-year-old Englishwoman then beat Russian teenager Ekaterina Gnidenko in the first round before downing Dutchwoman Willy Kanis in the second.

Meares was the only other rider in the 18-woman field to go under 11secs in qualifying, the 29-year-old Australian clocking 10.805 to show she has the finishing form to realistically aim for a medal.

The Australian then went on to coast to a first round win over Kayono Maeda of Japan before beating Canada’s Monique Sullivan in her second round.

China’s Guo Shuang, who was third in qualifying in 11.020, also secured a last eight place beating Daniela Larreal of Venezuela then New Zealand’s Natasha Hansen in her first and second rounds respectively.

Also going directly into the quarters were Vogel, Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania and Lisandra Guerra of Cuba.

Ukrainian Shulika, beaten by Vogel in their second round match, went on to win her three-woman repechage heat to secure a last eight spot, as did Belarusian Olga Panarina.

In Beijing, Pendleton, who is competing in her third and final Games, won gold ahead of Meares with Guo taking the bronze.

The women’s sprint competition resumes Monday with the semi-finals and ends on Tuesday.