The Netherlands retained their cycling track men's sprint team Olympic title in a world record of 40.949 seconds at Paris 2024.
PARIS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions the Netherlands set their second world record on Tuesday night to win gold in cycling's track men's sprint team event, beating Britain in the final.
The Netherlands' Roy van den Berg, Harrie Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland completed the three circuits of the 250-meter track in 40.949 seconds - the first time anyone has ever broken 41 seconds.
Australia beat China in a time of 42.336 seconds in the first round and their team of Leigh Hoffman, Matthew Richardson and Matthew Glaetzer took bronze against France in a time of 41.597 seconds.
The Netherlands had gone into the final as hot favorites after having set a new world record of 41.191 against Canada to reach the final.
Winning five of the last six World Championships, they once again showed their dominance with a commanding ride where they always held an advantage.
Team GB, who beat Germany in the previous round, may have been unable to match the gold medal won by their female compatriots, but their result means Britain have taken silver and gold in the two competitions decided so far on the track. ■
