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28th Olympic Games - JO
Athens, Greece, August 14-28, 2004
Results Qualification Sixteenth & Eighth-finals Quarter-finals Semi-finals Finals Track 101
August 24: Men's Sprint Finals
Flyin' Ryan beats Bos
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Reigning sprint world champion Theo Bos (Netherlands) struck the first blow against Australian Ryan Bayley, but the determined Bayley wouldn't be denied his chance. A hard-fought second round evened the score, setting up a do-or-die final race between the two best sprinters of the Games. Bos was all attitude, eyeing Bayley sternly as they took to the line, but Bayley wouldn't be drawn in a staring match, preferring to look dead ahead and keep his mind on the task at hand.
Bos led the way as Bayley kept several lengths behind, monitoring the big Dutchman's speed and plotting his move. As the speed steadily increased, Bos tried to establish even more distance but Bayley quickly closed the gap, coming through the bell lap and beginning his effort. The two big riders muscled side by side, in the saddle, and it was Bayley who came around the outside from second position fly through for the gold medal.
In the bronze medal round, Laurent Gané was once more below his best, giving way to Germany's Rene Wolff in two races. The veteran from France wouldn't end his final Games with a medal in the sprint, beaten clearly by the excited German.
Photography
Images by www.epicimages.us
- Aussie flags flying high.
- The Aussie fans were out in force to see Ryan Bayley win the gold.
- Theo Bos (Netherlands) wins the first round of the gold medal final against Ryan Bayley.
- In another thrilling finish, Ryan Bayley (Australia) gets even with the Netherland's Theo Bos in round 2 of the gold medal final.
- Ryan Bayley (Australia) beats Theo Bos in round 2 of the sprint with a huge bike throw, along with his trademark wheelie.
- In the deciding round, Bayley and Bos manoeuvre for position, testing each other's nerves.
- An angry Ryan Bayley (Australia) takes the third round sprint with ease to clinch the gold medal.
- Ryan Bayley (Australia) wins the gold in the third and final round of the men's sprint.
- Ryan Bayley (Australia) salutes the crowd, with a very sporting Theo Bos joining in on the applause.
- Ryan Bayley (Australia) lifts his bike up high in front of his legion of fans.
- Aussie fans had plenty of reasons to smile after 'Flyin' Ryan's' triumph in the men's sprint final.
Images by AFP Photo
- Laurent Gané and Rene Wolff battled for bronze in the men's finals
- It was Germany's Wolff who emerged the winner of the bronze medal round
- The big showdown came between Ryan Bayley and Theo Bos
- Theo Bos won the first round but Bayley came back to win the next two- and gold
- Pure power: Ryan Bayley wins the sprint gold
- A podium royal: Theo Bos (Netherlands, silver), Ryan Bayley (Australia, gold), Rene Wolff (Germany, bronze)
- Ryan Bayley (Australia) savours his gold medal
- Rene Wolff (Germany) comes around the outside to beat Laurent Gane (France) 2-0 for the bronze medal.
Results
For gold & silver 1 Ryan Bayley (Australia) 10.661 10.743 2 Theo Bos (Netherlands) 10.710 For bronze 3 Rene Wolff (Germany) 10.677 10.612 4 Laurent Gane (France) Race for 5th-8th 5 Ross Edgar (Great Britain) 11.214 6 Barry Forde (Barbados) 7 Damian Zielinski (Poland) 8 Mickael Bourgain (France)
