On day 15 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Jennifer Valente (San Diego; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24) and Lily Williams (Tallahassee, Fla.; Human Powered Health) paired up to compete for Team USA in the Women’s Madison which took place at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome.
The Madison race, a 120-lap event, features sprints every 10 laps where only the top four teams earn points. Team Great Britain claimed the first sprint, but Team USA quickly responded, with Valente executing a precise throw to position Williams for third place in the second sprint.
As the race progressed, Valente and Williams remained determined, securing third place in the third sprint. In the fifth sprint, they pushed hard to finish second, earning three more crucial points. Their momentum continued into the sixth sprint, where a strong effort saw them claim first place, propelling them to the top of the standings.
Over halfway through, the Netherlands launched a decisive attack, lapping the field and overtaking the lead. Later on, Italy also gained a lap on the field earning 20 points. Team USA fought hard, earning third place in both the eighth and ninth sprints. In the final sprint, Valente and Williams gave everything they had, securing another third-place finish. By the end of the race, Team USA had accumulated 18 points, securing a commendable fourth-place finish overall.
1. Italy (37 points)
2. Great Britain (31 points)
3. Netherlands (28 points)
4. United States (18 points)
Racing for Team USA resumes on Sunday with the Women’s Omnium, where Valente will return to the track to try and earn her second consecutive gold medal.
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