Emma Hinz needed to show strength, Le Sophie Friedrich shone with impressive dominance: the German sprint aces continued their search for gold the day after their team’s victory.

On an otherwise rather grim day for the German track cycling team at the World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, top German sprinters once again provided the highlights. Defending champions Heinz and Friedrich advanced to the sprint semi-finals, securing another German medal. Pauline Grabosch, on the other hand, was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Frederick: “I’m really proud”

“I had to find myself first, deal with pressure and stress. I wouldn’t have handled it so well in the past. I’m glad I managed it. It comes with experience,” said Hinze, and Frederick Said: “I’m really proud to have such a good time. I needed this for my head.” The gold ride on Wednesday really inspired her: “It gave me energy.”

On the other hand, the last chance for the precious metal was shattered for the German women’s foursome, which had major changes. Meike Kroger & Co. missed out on the small final and went away empty-handed. There was also a disappointment for former sprint world champion Stefan Bauticher, who was the last German to finish in the Kerin quarter-finals.

But you can count on German sprinters for this. The day after the team gold, the trio presented themselves in a strong position in the individual sprint as well. Frederick in particular was confident in merit and sovereign victory with the best of times. Defending champion Hinge, on the other hand, had more trouble than expected, but still got through it. Grabosch missed out on a surprise, narrowly escaped by former speed skater Laurin van Riesen from the Netherlands. Earlier, however, she had knocked out Tokyo Olympic champion Kelsey Mitchell from Canada.

Possible replay of 2021 final

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This could mean a new edition of the 2021 World Cup final between Heinz and Friedrich on Friday. In the semi-finals, Hinge meets French favorite Mathilde Gros. Frederick has to deal with Van Rissen. German success continues in the short term range. In the last two world championships, Hinge and Friedrich had already won all the titles among themselves. Only 23-year-old Lee Lin Teutenberg had another respectable success with a fourth-place finish in the elimination round.

On the other hand, for the German four, there was nothing to gain in the World Cup. The two Tokyo Olympic champions Mikey Kroger and Franziska Bruce, along with newcomers Lina Charlotte Reisner and Lee Lynn Teutenberg, missed out on making the short final with a sixth-best time. After the end of Lisa Brenauer’s career and the absence of health from Lisa Klein and Laura Sweet Milk, expectations were already low. “We lost a driver in both runs. We had to react. We did well enough for him,” said Kroger, who is hoping to gold in the personal pursuit: “My strongest competitor is probably my roommate Franzie Bruce. “

The men’s four had already missed out on a seventh-place finish on Wednesday. Great Britain won the title against Italy in the final. Hour world record holder Filippo Gana missed his first gold chance on the Olympic track in Paris 2024.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:221013-99-117284/5