Franziska Brauße threw her arms in the air and was finally able to celebrate the first major individual title of her career: after an exciting race over 3000 meters, the four-man Olympic champion won gold in the single pursuit at the track cycling world championships just outside Paris. Emma Hinze, on the other hand, was not entirely satisfied, having completed her set of medals two hours earlier with silver in the 500-meter time trial.
“Taking over the title from Lisa is really special for me and hasn’t really arrived yet,” said Brauße, who was second in the World Championships a year ago behind Lisa Brennauer, who has since retired. Now it was enough for the really big coup.
Second World Cup title
Brausse started the duel for gold against Bryony Botha (New Zealand) strongly and was clearly in the lead, but then her lead dwindled more and more. “I couldn’t keep up the pace from the back. But fortunately it was enough,” said the 23-year-old. Mieke Kröger (Bielefeld) was narrowly defeated by Briton Josie Knight in the fight for bronze.
For the German team it was the second title at the World Cup in France. Emma Hinze, Lea Friedrich and Pauline Grabosch won gold with the sprint team on Wednesday. Hinze narrowly missed another title on Saturday with silver in the time trial over 500 meters. The only 20-year-old Frenchwoman Taky Marie-Divine Kouame won.
Emma Hinze (left) with her silver medal.
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Image: EPA
Hinze, who was still the fastest of the entire field in qualifying at noon, wasted too much time in the first lap to be able to still fight for the title. “It’s a bit of a shame when you’re first in qualifying. It was difficult at first, it took me a moment. But now I’m happy,” said the 25-year-old.
In the Keirin on Sunday, however, Hinze will no longer be at the start. “I notice that my body has given me a sign,” she said: “It’s been a lot in the last two or three years. I was in every final, I realize that now.”
Defending champion Friedrich, on the other hand, failed to qualify one day after sprint silver, finishing ninth just 0.007 seconds short of progressing. Friedrich could have won the competition for the third year in a row and clinched her second gold in Paris.
