UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup: Sarah Lee storms into keirin final as remaining Hong Kong teammates valiantly bow out

The Olympic hopeful finished first in her qualifying heat but faces a tough task in Japan’s Kobayashi this afternoon

Teammates Jessica Lee, To and Law complete remaining races in what was invaluable experience after months without action

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Hong Kong's Sarah Lee Wai-sze clinches gold after winning the women's sprint final against Japan's Yuka Kobayashi in the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup at the Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: SCMP / May Tse

Published: 12:31pm, 16 May 2021Updated: 12:34pm, 16 May 2021

Hong Kong’s cycling queen Sarah Lee Wai-sze stormed into the women’s keirin final after a statement-making first round on the final day of the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup on Sunday.

The 34-year-old, who won gold in the sprint category on Friday, finished first in her heat with a time of 11.692 seconds having confidently trailed the pack in the first two laps.

Lee contends for another medal as the last Hongkonger standing at the Tseung Kwan O Velodrome this afternoon. She will be focused on shaving her time down as opponent Yuka Kobayashi – who she beat in the sprint – finished with 11.345 in the subsequent heat. As has often been the case this weekend, the Japanese riders are considered the biggest medal threats.

Teammate Jessica Lee Hoi-yan, who is also getting the rounds in ahead of this summer’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, did not manage to qualify in her heat despite a strong tactical surge.

Hong Kong speed cyclist Jessica Lee Hoi-yan in the women's 500m time trial final at the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup at the Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: SCMP / May Tse

Though the 30-year-old bows out of the tournament, she had made clear that her placement was less important than implementing coach Shen Jinkang’s new strategies.