Glaetzer, Richardson win opening keirin heats at Games

Australian sprinters Matt Glaetzer and Matt Richardson want to share the first-division prize in the race known as track cycling's lottery.

Glaetzer and Richardson won their opening-round heats on Saturday in the keirin, with the remaining three rounds to be decided on Sunday's final day at the Paris Olympics.

The six-rider event is notorious for unpredictability. The only time at the Olympics that a country has had two riders on the podium was British great Sir Chris Hoy winning gold and Ross Edgar claiming silver in Beijing.

Matt Glaetzer
Australian Matt Glaetzer leads his heat in the opening round of the keirin at the Paris Olympics.

Asked about possibly finishing first and second, Glaetzer said: "That would be a dream, incredible. It's possible, but there's a long way to go.

This is Glaetzer's last event at his fourth and final Olympics.

He and Richardson combined with Leigh Hoffman to win bronze earlier this week in the team sprint, ending Glaetzer's run of fourth places.

On Friday, Richardson also won bronze in the match sprint.

"Anything can happen - keirin is a bit of a lottery," Richardson said of the Australians' chances.

Glaetzer only started thinking about the keirin on Saturday morning, keen to give himself a respite after the team sprint.

"It was pretty hard to switch off. I was pretty fortunate the other boys raced the sprint, because I had a pretty good recovery and they did a great job," Glaetzer said.

"You don't want to switch on too early and things can go around your head on a loop ... that never helps.

"I know every ride here could be my last, so it's just making sure that I go out on a note that I'm satisfied with. I don't want to leave anything out there."

Also on Saturday, Olympic debutant Kristina Clonan was eliminated from the women's sprint after losing her third-round heat to British star Emma Finucane and then bowing out in the repechage.

Sam Welsford and Kelland O'Brien, one half of the men's team pursuit quartet that won gold, were 13th in the madison as Portugal won.

Georgia Baker will also ride on Sunday in the omnium.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store