The 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships presented by Tissot concluded on Sunday in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, with the host country winning two world titles, and Germany and Belgium one each. This left the Netherlands alone at the top of the standings with a total of 12 medals, including five gold. Germany finished with six medals, including four gold, while Great Britain, Australia and Italy also had six medals each.
[TWITTER ID="https://twitter.com/UCI_Track/status/970329078313246720"]
Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands took her third gold medal of the Championships in the Points Race with a dominating performance that saw her score 49 points. Jennifer Valente of the United States, who had previously won gold in the Team Pursuit, took the silver medal while Jasmin Duehring of Canada won the bronze.
"Yes, it's awesome," said Wild. "Thanks to all the people here. Yes [winning this race] is special, but every jersey is special, whether it's the first or the last."
[TWITTER ID="https://twitter.com/UCI_Track/status/970287319541575680"]
In the men's 1000 metre time trial, the Netherlands took gold and bronze, with Jeffrey Hoogland recording the fastest time of the day at 59.459 seconds. Matthew Glaetzer of Australia, the Sprint champion 24 hour earlier, took silver and former world champion Theo Bos won the bronze medal.
The final women's title was awarded in the Keirin, and brought Belgium their first world title of the Championships, when Nicky Degrendele outkicked Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong, China, and Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania.
"I still can't believe it," admitted Degrendele. "This is my first Elite title and I'm very happy. I was speechless, I didn't know I actually did it, I still can't believe it. I think in the next few days it will sink in, but at the moment it is so hard to believe. It's nice to get the medal but also the jersey. Last year the girls, in the Madison, were world champions and they couldn't defend it this year, so I'm happy I could get a jersey."
[TWITTER ID="https://twitter.com/UCI_Track/status/970301651272830976"]
The world championships concluded with the men's Madison, and the German team of Roger Kluge and Theo Reinhardt won their country's fourth world title. They were one of four teams to take a lap on the field, but they also won five intermediate sprints for a total of 53 points. Spain finished second with 45 points and Australia third at 37 points.
"[I had] good legs today and a good partner as well," said Kluge. "Maybe I was the strongest, but without him I couldn't win. There's always two in the game. I had all week good legs, after I came from Abu Dhabi. It was hard watching all week the other races and now I'm really happy to bring it home. Finally the jersey I've been looking for since 2008. Now I've got it I'm really happy. Thanks to Theo. It's a good start to the way to Tokyo."
