After making the running for most of the event, the New Zealand women’s team pursuit squad had to be content with the silver medal.
The New Zealanders - Bryony Botha, Ally Wollaston, Emily Shearman and Nicole Shields – were brilliant in the qualifying round and looked a class act in dismantling Italy in the semi-final.
They began the final against the USA strong favourites in many eyes.
But in the final New Zealand were always behind, and though they managed to close the gap somewhat over the final 500 metres, they never seemed to click as well as they had in their earlier rides.
The Americans were timed at 4min 04.306s, with New Zealand finishing in 4min 04.927s. Though these things are measured in tiny fractions of a second, it was the slowest of their three rides.
The New Zealand men’s team pursuit lineup of Aaron Gate, Campbell Stewart, Keegan Hornblow and Tom Sexton rode well to beat France and secure fifth spot.
The New Zealanders clocked 3min 44.741s, nearly three seconds up on the French.
Though their final performance was a good one, things didn’t quite fall their way during the event.
Gate said later they hadn’t gone to the Olympics aiming for fifth. “We can be proud of the effort. We went so close, but were just on the wrong side of things,” he said. “We left absolutely everything out on the track tonight and we will take being fifth ranked in the world.
“I know the boys can regroup in four years and get the job done.”
Gate will now focus his efforts on tomorrow’s omnium.
Australia won the men’s team pursuit gold medal beating Britain in a high-octane final.