GB’s track gold rush continues as Archibald and Leech win Madison world title

Anna Morris also beat teammate Josie Knight to the individual pursuit world title on day four in Santiago, Chile

Katie Archibald and Maddie Leech took gold in the women's Madison (Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com)

Katie Archibald returned to winning ways at the UCI Track World Championships with a commanding victory in the women’s Madison alongside Maddie Leech, becoming only the fourth woman to win two Madison world titles.

Later on day four in Santiago, Anna Morris defended her individual pursuit title with victory over Great Britain team-mate Josie Knight.

Archibald, who won the Madison world title in 2018 alongside Emily Nelson and claimed gold at the Tokyo Olympics alongside Laura Kenny, helped Leech claim a second medal and a maiden rainbow jersey after she was part of the team pursuit squad that won bronze.

Scot Archibald and 22-year-old Leech delivered a dominant performance, picking up points in the first three sprints.

Archibald took a sprint halfway through the contest to move within two points of the Netherlands, only for the Dutch to be forced out of the race by a heavy crash moments later.

Leech picked up three points to move back into the lead with two sprints to go and the pair kept France at bay over the closing laps.

Britain ensured at least two medals in the individual pursuit, with Knight the fastest qualifier for much of the session after catching her opponent and finishing in 4:25.141.

In the final race of qualifying, Morris posted 4:24.194 to set up an all-British final which the Welsh rider dominated from the outset.

Matt Richardson delivered a strong qualifying time of 9.210 seconds to be seeded first in the men’s sprint.

Richardson defeated Canada’s Nick Wammes in the last 16 and Japan’s Kaiya Ota in the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final clash with Australia’s Leigh Hoffman.

With PA