The Track Cycling continues at the Rio Olympics with the Men’s Sprint & Women’s Keirin events starting on Saturday. Both events will rech the medal round.
NOTE – The Men’s Team Pursuit final also takes place on Saturday – see my earlier preview for tips.
Women’s Keirin
The keirin is the cycling event that takes place behind a motorbike. Six riders follow the bike for 2kms – 8 laps of the Olympic velodrome track. The motorbike pulls away from the lead with 3 laps to complete. The riders then contest a sprint for the finish line.
Three rounds take place on Saturday. Round 1 has 4 heats and 4 repecharges. Round 2 features the top 12 riders in two heats. The top 3 from each progress to the final to contest the medals and 4th-6th places. The last 3 in each Round 2 race go on to the consolation final (to determine positions 7-12).
The top 3 at the March World Championships top the betting. There is no outstanding favourite for the event – like in some of the other track cycling races.
Favourite is Kristina Vogel (GER) the World Champion at odds in the 3.0-3.5 range. She is closely followed by World Champion runner-up Anna Mears (AUS) who can be backed in the 4.0-4.5 range. These two riders are most likely to challenge for gold. Mears has had an outstanding career and is my choice here.
Equal third favourite is Becky James (GBR) bronze at the Worlds in the 7.50-10.0 range. She is joined by Shuang Guo (CHN) who you can back at 6.00-7.50.
Sadly, the Each Way offers on this event are limited. Only three bookmakers are offering 1/4 of the odds for top 3. In light of this I will suggest two smaller EW bets.
I have to admit to being a little suprised by the outstanding form of the British team at Rio. They are punching well above their season performances. They do focus their entire energy on the four year Olympic cycle however. I’m not sure James challenges for Gold, but it would not surprise in light of the British performances so far. hence, I’m going to suggest a small EW bet on James.
Men’s Sprint
Following on from their gold medal in the Men’s Team Sprint I fully expect Team GB’s Jason Kenny to do the sprint double. Kenny won the 2016 World Championship and looked in phenomenal form in the team event on Thursday. Kenny can be backed in the 1.80-2.20 range and I love those odds! He looks extremely powerful here and is defending Olympic Champion in this event. I think he wins his 5th Gold Medal here (3 in the Team Sprint).
Similar to the Women’s Keirin, the other medalists at the World Championships feature next in the betting market. Matthew Glaetzer (AUS) 4.0-4.5 and Denis Dmitriev (RUS) 6.0-9.0 are expected to be Kenny’s closest challengers. Of the two Glaetzer looks the bigger threat on form.
Anothe rider expected to be a threat is Gregory Bauge (FRA) 7.0-8.0. He has the pedigree in this event but looked a little flat to me in the Team event.
The Each Way odds avialibility is limited here too so I will just go Win Only.
Women’s Keirin Tips
PLACED – Back Anna Mears to win the Women’s Keirin with a 1.25/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 4.50 with Ladbrokes.
PLACED – Bet on Becky James to win the Women’s Keirin with a 1.0/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 9.00 with Ladbrokes.
Back them both here:
Men’s Sprint Tip
WON – Bet on Jason Kenny to win the Men’s Sprint with a 3.0/10 stake at 2.10 with Paddy Power.
Back Kenny here:
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