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Kelsey Mitchell follows up bronze in Hong Kong with a silver at New Zealand World Cup

Canada's sprint sensation is on fire

Canadian Kelsey Mitchell of Pedal 2 the Medal has won sprint medals in consecutive rounds of the UCI track cycling World Cup. Mitchell followed up her bronze medal in Hong Kong with a silver in the fourth round in Cambridge, New Zealand on Saturday.

Both Mitchell and Team Canada’s Lauriane Genest qualified with fantastic times. Mitchell ripped the 200-metres at 10.606, which was second fastest, and Genest was third with 10.639. Both had a bye through the 1/16 finals.

In the 1/8 finals Mitchell beat Indonesian Putri Dwi, while Genest clipped Aussie Caitlin Ward. The quarter finals pitted Genest against Russian Daria Shmeleva, but despite winning the first match, the Canadian could not advance. Mitchell drew Mexican Valles Salazar and overcame a first match loss to carry on to the semis.

Mitchell avenged Genest by taking Shmeleva, again in three matches. She was guaranteed a medal. The gold medal final would be against another Russian, Anastasia Voinova, fresh from defeating the fastest qualifier Stephanie Morton. Mitchell prevailed in Match 1 by the narrowest of margins before falling two straight to Voinova.

Hugo Barrette and Joel Archambault were also following the derney in keirin action on Saturday. Barrette was the fastest in Heat 1 of Round 1, while Archambault was third in Heat 3. Archambault had to enter the repechage but his second place in Heat 2 ended his day.

Barrette’s third place in Heat 1 of the second round meant that he was bound for the 7-11 final. There he placed 11th after 8th last week in Hong Kong.

Barrette and Archambault are back in action on Sunday in the sprint and Allison Beveridge tries to match or beat her omnium silver medal she won last season in Cambridge.