24 Jan 2011

Another medal for NZ cyclists

5:57 am on 24 January 2011

Sprinter Simon Van Velthooven picked up his second medal on the final night of the UCI World Cup of Cycling in Beijing.

Van Velthooven, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in his specialist Keirin, surprised many when he picked up a bronze in the kilo time trial.

The burly Manawatu rider had earlier made it through to the eighth round of the men's sprints before turning his attention to the gut-busting kilo, more for experience than expectation.

Van Velthooven won gold in the Keirin on the second night.

In other events Canterbury rider Natasha Hansen missed out in repecharges for the women's keirin, Joanne Kiesanowski was 11th in the omnium competition and Tom Scully was a close fourth in the points race.

New Zealand finished with three medals after the women took out the team pursuit.

Head coach Tim Carswell said it was mission accomplished with a growing depth within the squad.

The final World Cup is in Manchester next month with the World Championships in March.