Canada appealed this decision, but in vain: the commissioners of the International Cycling Union (UCI) upheld it and this fourth Canadian medal of the competition became a fifth place instead.

“We do not agree with this descent. We have shown footage that we shot and believe there was enough space for it [que Lauriane] trying to sneak in came to explain Canadian track and field team head coach Dan Proulx. We tried to overturn the decision but the commissioners said they wouldn’t do it. »

Genest got stuck at the end of the track for the last lap and a half. She tried everything to join Germany’s Alessa-Catriona Pröpster, who won the event. She saw a narrow gap between Colombian Martha Bayona Pineda and Pröpster and went inside. Bayona Pineda pulled away just in time to dodge an evasive maneuver.

This maneuver was reviewed by the UCI commissioners.

“They talk about changing lanes and to check if the cyclist had enough space. We believe it; they say no, said Proulx. We have to respect their decision even if we don’t agree. The keirin is very competitive, the runners are very close and go very fast. You are used to this type of race. »

“It’s always open to interpretation. There are many races – even this weekend – where we’ve seen riskier overtaking and the drivers haven’t been sanctioned. »

The revamp also resulted in the relegation of Luz Daniela Gaxiola Gonzalez, meaning the two cyclists finished fifth, a rank better than originally announced for Genest.

Bayona Pineda thus ends up on the silver medal. Britain’s Katy Marchant climbs to the third step of the podium.

Disappointed, Genest chose not to meet the media before leaving Mattamy National Cycling Center.

“She’s very disappointed with this decision but she’s been at the highest level for several years and knows it’s part of our sport,” Proulx said. We know she will bounce back quickly. »

Genest had gone all out on this Keirin, even skipping the individual sprint and slowing down in his quarter-final duel on Saturday to conserve his energy for the long day of racing.

Her choice proved wise: the bronze medalist in the discipline at the Tokyo Olympics – Canada’s first-ever Olympic medal in keirin – completely dominated her previous two heats before the final.

In this last race, Genest chose the leading position behind the hare. But her competitors hadn’t forgotten their demonstration of power in qualifying and in the semi-finals and didn’t give her any leeway.

While she likes to launch her attacks higher up the track, Genest was being pursued by three competitors when Bayona Pineda launched her attack very early. Pröpster, who had a strong weekend, quickly followed in the Colombian’s footsteps and Genest eventually found himself fourth and then attempted the sanctioned manoeuvre.

“The important thing is that relegation is not a disqualification and she gets points,” Proulx said. Now we’re going to look at where it fits in for the World Championships and later the Olympics and see what we need to do based on the Pan American Championships [de juin] and other competitions. Maybe we have to enter other competitions. These points are important, but it’s still early enough for us to adjust if necessary. »

Mitchell seventh

Her compatriot Kelsey Mitchell finished the event in seventh place after the repechage.

The Albertan, already a double medalist in this Nations Cup, was overtaken by Pröpster in the last lap of her qualifying run. Mitchell made sure it didn’t appear again in the draft. She took control of the race as soon as one of her opponents made any appearance of attacking. Mitchell reacted quickly and rode the last two laps ahead of the group, winning by one bike.

However, she found herself behind the top three in her semi-final, so she had to settle for the B-final, finishing 7th-12th, which she won.

“I’m very happy with this seventh place,” she assured. It was a long day of racing, a third for me. My legs were heavy in the last two. »

Dewlap short

In the men’s sprint, Canada’s Ryan Dodyk, Nick Wammes, Tyler Rorke and James Hedgcock all easily qualified.

Hedgcock’s journey ended on April 16^Are finals while Dodyk and Rorke progressed to the next round. Only Wammes qualified for the quarterfinals where he was stopped by Malaysia’s Muhammad Sahrom.

The latter bowed to Australia’s Matthew Richardson in the duel for the bronze medal. Trinidad’s Nicholas Paul won gold, his second medal this weekend with the bronze amassed in the keirin. The 200m world champion beat Poland’s Mateusz Rudyk in straight sets.

In Madison, Canadian tandem Dylan Bibic and Michael Foley accumulated six points to finish in 12th place^e Rank. Portugal’s Manuel Alves Oliveira and Iuri Leitão won the event with 61 points ahead of Dutchmen’s Yoeri Havik and Vincent Hoppezak of Pro Team Beat and France’s Thomas Boudat and Benjamin Thomas.

Finally, in the Omnium, Canadians Maggie Coles-Lyster and Sarah van Dam finished seventh and tenth. Britain’s Katie Archibald, Italy’s Elisa Belsamo and America’s Jennifer Valente all won three medals.