Sarah Lee is world champion at last: Hong Kong rider defeats Stephanie Morton in sprint final
- Lee finally stands atop the podium in Pruszkow, Poland after finishing third in 2013 and 2017
- Olympic bronze medallist turns her attention to Sunday’s keirin
Sarah Lee Wai-sze can finally say it – she is the best women’s sprinter in the world.
Having previously finished third in the women’s sprint on two occasions, the Hong Kong rider stood atop of the world championships podium with a gold medal in Pruszkow, Poland on Friday night.
Watched by her former rival Kristina Vogel, of Germany, who was commentating, Lee scored a dominant victory over Australia’s Stephanie Morton in the final, her first victory in the worlds of an Olympic programme.
It was more disappointment for Morton, who captured her third silver medal in a row having lost to Vogel on the two previous occasions. The German rider was forced to end her career prematurely after suffering from a clash during training last year.
“I felt very nervous,” Lee said after her victory. “It was incredible. I have gained more confidence in the keirin [which begins on Sunday] and I hope I can win in the Olympics.”
Lee won two sprint bronze at the 2013 and 2017 worlds. She was also the world champion in the 500-metre time trial in Minsk in 2013, claiming her first rainbow jersey, an honour for world champions only, but the time trial is not on the Olympic programme.