BBC SPORT | CYCLING | Queally wins gold for Britain

Cyclist Jason Queally has won Britain's first gold of the games in the 1km time trial, equalling the country's Atlanta efforts on the opening day of competition in Sydney.

The Preston rider set a new Olympic record in the event at the Dunc Grey velodrome, beating Germany's Stefan Nimke and home favourite Shane Kelly into bronze.

On a good first day for Britain at the velodrome, Rob Hayles also put himself in contention for a bronze medal in the 4,000m pursuit.

But Saturday was Queally's night after a surprise win in the event - a straight race against the clock over four laps.

I just cannot believe it, I'm speechless - I came here thinking a potential medal, maybe a bronze, but it all depends on what happens on the day - something strange happened

Jason Queally

The 30-year-old, starting 13th of the 16 competitors, smashed his previous personal best by nearly a second and a half with a time of 1:01.609.

Queally then faced an anxious wait to see what colour medal it would be.

Home favourite Kelly - who beat the Briton into the silver medal position in the last Commonwealth Games - was ahead of him in the early stages of the ride but lost time in the final lap.

The final rider, France's world record holder Arnaud Tournant was also unable to match Queally's time. Queally is the first British cyclist to win gold since Chris Boardman won the 4,000m pursuit title on the track in Barcelona eight years ago.

Chris Queally
Queally on his way to gold
Afterwards, Queally admitted he was still trying to come to terms with his gold medal.

He said: "It's incredible. I don't know where the time came from."

When he saw the words "new Olympic record" flash on the scoreboard, Queally said he had first did not understand what it meant.

He found it hard to watch as his two main rivals, Kelly and Tournant still had to ride.

When he saw Tournant's poor time he could not believe he was now an Olympic champion.

Queally said: "When Tournant's time came along, it was an awful shock. I feel a bit sorry for him."

Queally's career

Born May 11, 1970, Great Heywood, Staffordshire

Graduate in Biological Science from Lancaster University, where he represented British Universities at water polo

1995: Turned from triathlon to cycling after completing a course at the Manchester Velodrome. Joined Manchester Track League.

1996: Decides to ride full-time. Won silver medal in 1km time trial at the National Track Championships

1998: Silver medal in the 1km time trial at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur

1999: Fifth at the world championships in 1km time trial and, with Chris Hoy and Craig MacLean, won silver medal in the Olympic sprint

2000: Wins Britain's first gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in the 1km time trial

Born in Stafforshire, but now based in Lancashire, Queally did not take up cycling until his mid-twenties.

He represented British Universities at water polo, and then switched from the pool onto two wheels via the triathlon.

In 1998 he took a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and he was fifth in last year's world championships even though he was hit by a car on his way to the stadium.

The rider now has a chance of a second Olympic medal in the Olympic sprint - a relay event in which he is the British team's anchorman.

Last year he, Craig Maclean and Chris Hoy took silver in the worlds. The trio will compete in this event on Monday in Sydney.




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