The first heat pits Iran against America. Sohrabi leads out Friedman first and Friedman took a 7 second victory. Sohrabi struck back with a tight 2nd leg victory, but Friedman marches through.
In the next heat, Alex Rasmussen faces Daniel Thorsen. Rasmussen won the first leg by 2 seconds but Daniel Thorsen was better in the next leg, winning by 4 seconds. Graeme Brown against Aleksei Markov should also be a close affair. Markov led out hte first leg, which Brown won by 2 seconds. The russian hit back though and won over Brown by 3 seconds. Its 1-1 and Thorsen only leads Rasmussen by 2 seconds, while Markov only leads Brown by 1 second so both pairs wil lgo to a 3rd leg.
Kankovsky is tipped to reach the final, and the Fed-ex rider made light work of Brad Huff in the first leg, winning by 7 seconds. Kankovsky won the 2nd leg too despite leading out. Huff edged in front round the final bend but the Czech powered down the inside to win and move onto the Quarter finals.
Markov, Brown, Thorsen and Rasmussen lined themselves up for the 3rd and decisive bout. The fastest from each pairing would advance to the Quarter finals. After a tight start, two riders edged away: Markov and Rasmussen. They held their gap so Markov and Rasmussen are through, with both Aussies being knocked out.
Theo Bos destroyed Kiwi Tim Gudsell in the first leg - by 13 seconds! In the 2nd leg, Bos would lead out but he again thumped the Kiwi, this time by 15 seconds.
Thomas against Madsen was a much tighter affair though and Thomas grabbed the first leg by 2 seconds. Madsen punctured in the buildup to the second leg, but Geraint Thomas waited for him and the leg began as normal. The Dane put his technical issues behind him to take victory by 1 second.
Trusov led out the first leg against Pollock and lost it by 3 seconds. But disaster struck for the Russian as he crashed out of the race inside the velodrome, allowing Pollack through by default. (Trusov just randomly stopped and a little while later, the message told me he had abandoned.)
Despite having to lead out Tim Mertens, Mark Cavendish had little trouble in winning the first lef by a 3 second deficit. Cavendish had it much easier in the 2nd leg, winning by 13 seconds.
We currently have a Dane, a Russian, an American, a Czech, a Dutch, a German and a Brit rider through to the quarter finals, and the final spot will be contested between a Dane and a Brit, Madsen and Thomas, for the hardly enjoyable draw of Theo Bos waiting for them. The sprint megan and Madsen lept away - he has had a green moment at the best possible moment. Theres nothing Thomas can do, Madsen wins through.
First up is Friedman against Alex Rasmussen. Friedman led out against a fired up Rasmussen and the Dane shot past to win by 6 seconds. Friedman would need a 3 second win to bring this quarter final to a 3rd leg and Rasmussen will lead out. Friedman came past him but then Rasmussen cpome back at the American.
Cyanide gave it to Friedman, I would have given it to Rasmussen - but it doesnt matter as Rasmussen goes through.
Aleksei Markov would be up against it against Alois Kankovsky but with a green moment, he had a slight chance when leading out the Czech. An erratic Kankovsky was slow away but with 1.5km to go moved past Markov. Markov kept it even though and it was a close finish. The Czech won though, by 1 second. In the second leg Kankovsky would lead out, and Markov has yet another green moment. He comes past the Czech rider and leaves him behind! Unbelievable stuff from Markov, he wins by 6 seconds and is through to the semi finals!
Madsen had a green moment against Bos, but he would need much more than that as Bos won by 7 seconds, despite leading out. Bos then cruised to the semi finals with a 13 second win.
A hugely impressive first leg came from Mark Cavendish, who left Olaf Pollack for dead in an awesome 9 second victory. But Pollack ruthlessly struck back and needing 6 seconds to bring it to a 3rd leg - 6 seconds is what he got.
In the Playoff it was a much more even encounter, but Mark Cavendish had the edge and took victory.
Aleksei Markov became the first finalist as he overcame Alex Rasmussen with a lead of over 3 seconds after the first 2 legs. The damage was done in the first leg as Markov took an impressive victory, and Rasmussen could not win back enough time in the 2nd leg.
Bos and Cavendish had the annoying obstruction of idiot AI riders deciding to follow them despite not moving at all. Cavendish led out Leg 1 and Bos won. Bos led out Leg 2 and Cavendish won - ending Bos' unbeaten run.
So things moved on to a play off. Cavendish was quick out of the blocks.
But Bos soon came past the Brit and took a comprehensive win and will now face Markov in the final.
3rd Place Playoff
Cavendish v Rasmussen for Bronze. Cavendish took a convinving 5 second victory in Leg 1, but Alex Rasmussen hit back and won by 4 seconds in the 2nd leg.
In the play-off leg though, Cavendish was too strong and beat Rasmussen to take Bronze.
Final
Aleksei Markov and Theo Bos were all ready to battle for the Gold medal. Markov would lead out Bos for the first leg and Theo Bos destroyed him. Taking a whopping 8 second win.
Bos would lead out the 2nd leg, and Markov needs a 5 second win to just take it to a 3rd leg. Markov moved into the lead at the final turn with 800m to go, but could not hold off Bos who wins the Leg, and the Gold Medal!
