Second success for Hong Kong cyclist Lee Wai-sze

A day after she became the first Hong Kong cyclist ever to win an overall World Cup title, Lee Wai-sze made it two, adding the keirin crown to the sprint title she sealed on Saturday.

Despite finishing only fourth in the keirin final, Lee secured sufficient points to top the standings after the last of the three World Cup events, in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

She finished on 20 points from three rounds, while second overall went to Rebecca James of Britain with 13 points from two rounds. Mainlander Zhong Tianshi, who only took part in the Mexico leg and won the race, was one point behind for third.

"This is a great result for the Hong Kong team and our next target will be the world championships next month," said coach Shen Jinkang.

The worlds will be held in Minsk, Ukraine, from February 20-24. Lee's two major rivals, mainlander Guo Shuang and Anna Meares of Australia, will be absent, a boost to Lee's chances.

The 25-year-old Lee, bronze medallist in the keirin at the London Olympics last summer, got off to a perfect start yesterday, winning the six-member group in the first round. She then came second in the next stage to reach the final.

But she faced tough Chinese opposition in the final, with the top three places going to mainlanders. Zhong, who set a world record in the 250-metre flying lap the previous day, clinched the title, silver went to Gong Jinjie and bronze to Xu Yulei.

In other events in Mexico, Hong Kong's Diao Xiaojuan came ninth in the women's omnium, while Cheung King-lok and Leung Chun-wing were ninth in the men's madison.

The Hong Kong team will now leave for a month-long training camp in Kunming in preparation for the world championships.