Cycling: Riders put on pace but not the medals

It was a case of so near yet so far for New Zealand at the World Cup track meet in Russia at the weekend.

The small New Zealand team ended the second of three days of competition outside the medals, although they were not that far off the pace in Moscow.

Greg Henderson, of Dunedin, was right in the mix in the points race, which was won by Matthew Gilmore, of Belgium.

Gilmore accumulated 42 points and Henderson, one of five riders to lap the field, collected 32 to finish fifth.

Spaniard Juan Llaneras Rosello claimed the silver medal with 35 points.

Henderson also had to content himself with fifth when he joined Hayden Roulston, Lee Vertongen and Hayden Godfrey in qualifying for the 4000m teams pursuit.

The New Zealanders posted a time of 4m 11.345s. Russia, who went on to beat Germany in the final, qualified top in 4m 07.793s.

Fourth qualifiers Ukraine got through to the ride-offs with a time of 4m 10.650s.

Godfrey came seventh in the 4000m individual pursuit. His qualifying time of 4m 32.056s was more than 10s down on the eventual champion, Sergi Escobar Rour, of Spain.

The other New Zealander in action, Mark Ryan, finished eighth in the scratch race.

- NZPA