Australia's Anna Meares wins women's keirin for record 11th world track cycling titleAustralian Anna Meares set a new record haul of gold medals by winning the women's keirin title at the World Track Cycling Championships on Monday (AEDT).
The 31-year-old won her 11th gold to take her clear of the women's mark she previously shared with Frenchwoman Felicia Ballanger.
The gold, along with earlier silver and bronze medals, also took Meares' career tally to 26 world track title medals to surpass previous record-holder, Briton Chris Hoy.
France's Arnaud Tournant remains the overall record-holder at the world track titles with 14 gold medals.
On the final night of competition in Paris, Meares was joined by team-mate Annette Edmondson, who won the women's omnium title.
"I had a dream before the Paris worlds were announced that the world titles were in France, that I got to win my 11th world title, and that I got to meet Felicia Ballanger," said Meares.
"Two of those have happened - I still haven't met the great woman but there's still time."
Coach Gary Sutton said the Olympic sprint champion was an example to all in the sport.
"What an absolute gem! She's been an absolute role model for our girls and a role model for the sport to be honest with you. And certainly one of the greats," he said.
Meares names win as pinnacle of career
Meares said winning a record 11th crown topped even her two Olympic titles.
"Today's number one," she beamed after shedding tears on the podium.
She said it even made up for her disappointments earlier in the week when she was beaten to gold in the 500m time-trial by Russia's Anastasia Voynova and then lost to Britain's Jessica Varnish in the sprint eighth-finals.
"I was really disappointed after the sprint two days ago, I wasn't sure how I was going to fare today (Monday AEDT)," admitted Meares.
"All my team-mates rallied behind me, gave me some chocolate, made me feel better and let me have some fun today.
"Fun turned out to be sharp execution of races and in the right position all the time. And I made the most of my opportunities."
Shanne Braspennincx of the Netherlands took the silver ahead of Cuba's Lisandra Guerra in third.
But there was heartbreak for Meares's Aussie teammate Stephanie Morton, who was disqualified after suffering a puncture.
In keirin rules a rider can rejoin the race if they suffer a mechanical problem within the first half lap - Morton's came 40 yards beyond that.
"I do feel terrible for Steph, I've never seen that before," said Meares.
"It's so unfortunate, it's out of her control. She's in such good form. For us to go one and two in our semi-final and her to miss out on an opportunity to race in the final for that. I'm so sorry for her."
Edmondson takes omnium title
Australia's Annette Edmondson upset Olympic champion Laura Trott to win the women's omnium title.
It was the 23-year-old's second gold medal of the championships having been part of the Australian world record-breaking team pursuit squad on Friday (AEDT).
Edmondson had never before beaten Trott at a world championship or Olympics, four times taking a minor medal behind the Briton, who was also world champion in 2012.
Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands, who won the scratch race world title on Sunday (AEDT), took bronze.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-23/australias-anna-meares-claims-record-11th-world-track-cycling/6212456
