Olympic medal prospect shines in return from injury
Kiwi sprint star Ellesse Andrews has made a timely and successful return from injury ahead of this year’s Paris Olympics.
In her first competition since breaking her collarbone in February, the 24-year-old keirin world champion won her top event, and finished second in the individual sprint, at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Canada.
Andrews, a silver medallist at the 2022 Tokyo Olympics in the keirin, travelled to Milton, Ontario, in search of much-needed competition as she ramps up her training ahead of Paris.
She sure put to bed any concern the injury might derail her Olympics, showcasing her power in both events.
Having finished third in her semifinal to reach the keirin final, Andrews showed her class in the medal race, pushing to an early lead from the back before she was overtaken with a lap and a half remaining.
However, donning the world champion’s rainbow stripes, Andrews punched back to get her nose out in front down the back straight of the final lap, before holding off Dutchwoman Steffie van der Peet in a sprint finish.
“It was Ellesse’s first keirin ride since November last year,” coach Jon Andrews said.
“With her crash and six weeks out, we did not really know what to expect this weekend. To come away with a win was really reassuring and such a great confidence-builder with Paris three and a half months away.
“It was never in the original plan to come here. It was super important to be here to get some racing under her belt and to get some confidence back.
“It does shake you after a crash and Ellesse is no different.”
Andrews, who last year became the first Kiwi rider to win an individual gold in a sprint discipline at a world championship, was beaten twice by Frenchwoman Mathilde Gros in the sprint final.