Cycling at CWG: Mayuri Lute finishes 18th in women's 500m time trial final; narrow escape for Vishavjeet Singh from horrific crash

Lute clocked 36.868s to end near the bottom of the 20-cyclist final. Australia's Kristina Clonan took the gold in 33.234s. Vishavjeet Singh did not finish his men's 15km scratch race final.
India's Mayuri Lute in action during the Women's 500m Time Trial Final at Lee Valley VeloPark on day three of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in London. (Photo | AP)
India's Mayuri Lute in action during the Women's 500m Time Trial Final at Lee Valley VeloPark on day three of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in London. (Photo | AP)

BIRMINGHAM: Mayuri Lute finished way back in the 18th position in the women's 500m time trial final as Indian cyclists continued to struggle at the Commonwealth Games here on Sunday.

Lute clocked 36.868s to end near the bottom of the 20-cyclist final.

Australia's Kristina Clonan took the gold in 33.234s.

Another Indian, Vishavjeet Singh did not finish his men's 15km scratch race final.

Earlier in the day, top Indian cyclist Ronaldo Laitonjam lost to Australia's Matthew Glaetzer in the pre-quarterfinals of the men's sprint event.

The 20-year-old Indian finished 0.162s behind Glaetzer, clocking 10.011s over the 200m distance.

Laitonjam had earlier finished 13th in the qualifying round after clocking 10.012 at the Lee Valley Velo Park here.

His teammates David Beckham (10.120) and Esow Alben (10.361) finished 18th and 23rd in the qualifying round.

Laitonjam had clinched a silver medal in the sprint event of the senior category at the Asian Track Championship in New Delhi in June.

Indian cyclist Vishavjeet Singh, who qualified for the final in the men's 15km scratch race, made a narrow escape from the horrific crash that grabbed the spotlight at the Commonwealth Games.

The incident happened in the afternoon on Sunday when the cyclists were into their final leg of the 10-lap qualifying scratch race.

Eight riders collided on the track at the Lee Valley Velo Park in London.

The 24-year-old Olympic champion Matt Walls of England suffered stitches, scrapes and bruises after crashing over the barriers.

Isle of Man's Matt Bostock and Canada's Derek Gee were also taken to hospital following minor injuries, said an official here.

Spectators were also injured, with one being taken away in a wheelchair as cyclists and bikes flew into the crowd, said team India cycling coach Dayalram Jatt.

Narrating the incident Jatt said Singh was just behind the pack but he showed presence of mind and moved away by braking in time.

"It requires tremendous skill to brake in time in that rush of blood and he did exactly that to stop behind as bikes flew into the barriers. It was simply horrific, I never saw such an accident. We were left shaking in fear for some time," Jatt told PTI from London.

Vishavjeet, however, made sure that he reached a historic final for the first time in a multi-sport event.

In the final consisting of 60 laps, Singh was going strong but fell behind in the final lap and incurred a penalty point to be labelled "did not finish (DNF)".

"But overall, I'm happy for Singh to have survived the crash and make the final," the coach said.

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