Laura Trott added to Great Britain’s impressive gold medal haul at the track cycling world championships by winning her maiden title in the women’s omnium event Saturday.
Trott finished on 28 points in the gruelling six-discipline event to beat Annette Edmondson of Australia (31) and American Sarah Hammer (36), who took the bronze.
“I couldn’t ask for much more coming into London,” said Trott, who will also compete in the women’s team pursuit at the summer Olympics.
“I didn’t expect to win. I thought maybe I would pick up a medal, because I had been in the World Cups, but to win – what more can I ask for?”
Trott held the lead after four of the six events, but said all she could do was try to stick as close to Edmondson, her biggest rival, in the penultimate event, the scratch, before giving it her all in the 500-metre time trial.
“I wasn’t so nervous before the 500, I was more nervous before the scratch race,” added Trott, who took her second gold of the week after winning the team pursuit.
“It’s such a hit-or-miss race you never know what’s going to happen.
“My tactic was just to follow the Australian around all day long and when she started to move just make sure that I nipped her on the line – it was a closer race than I wanted it to be.
“In the 500 I just did what I always do. I nailed it.”
Two-time defending world champion Tara Whitten of Canada finished just off the podium in fourth place.
Edmondson, competing in her first world championships, said she was encouraged by claiming two medals having took silver in the women’s team pursuit behind Britain.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want those rainbows. (But) to come away from my first World Championships with two silver medals is really really encouraging for me, especially given it’s an Olympic year,” said Edmondson.
