The 2025 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, held in Santiago, Chile, saw outstanding performances from British cyclists, with Scottish rider Katie Archibald winning silver in the women’s elimination race and the Great Britain women’s team earning bronze in the team pursuit event.
Katie Archibald’s Silver Medal Journey
Archibald, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and one of the most decorated cyclists in British history, achieved her 16th world championship medal and her first individual medal in the elimination race. The race was marked by intense competition and disruptions: it had to be restarted twice following crashes that saw some riders hospitalized. Archibald expertly navigated these challenges, conserving energy and strategically avoiding elimination through much of the race.
As the field was reduced to the final four riders—Archibald, Ireland’s Lara Gillespie, Belgium’s Hélène Hesters, and France’s Victoire Berteau—Archibald made a critical sprint to eliminate Berteau, securing a place on the podium. The final sprint against Gillespie ended with Gillespie taking the gold, the first female Irish winner at the Track World Championships, while Archibald took silver, remarking that she “just didn’t have the legs” to catch Gillespie but was proud to contend at the highest level.
Great Britain Women’s Team Pursuit Bronze
Great Britain’s women’s team pursuit squad, composed of Anna Morris, Josie Knight, Jess Roberts, and Meg Barker, qualified strongly, posting the second-fastest time in qualifying rounds. However, they were narrowly defeated by Germany in the first round. With Jess Roberts replaced by Maddie Leech in the bronze medal ride-off, the team overcame Belgium decisively to secure the bronze medal, preventing Germany from sweeping the women’s team event golds.
Event Details and Standout Quotes
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Location: Santiago, Chile
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Event Dates: October 22-26, 2025
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Race Conditions: The elimination race was notably turbulent with multiple restarts.
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Katie Archibald: “I’m really happy to get to that point and contend… Physically, I’m a bit disappointed but that’s the mark of a World Championship title.”
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Lara Gillespie’s win marks a historic first for Irish women in this competition.
Table of Women’s Elimination Race Top 4 Finishers
| Rank | Rider | Nation | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lara Gillespie | Ireland | Gold |
| 2 | Katie Archibald | Great Britain | Silver |
| 3 | Hélène Hesters | Belgium | Bronze |
| 4 | Victoire Berteau | France | – |
Table of Great Britain Women’s Team Pursuit Medal Round
| Round | Opponent | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | N/A | 2nd fastest | Strong qualifying time |
| First Round | Germany | Lost | Eliminated by Germany |
| Bronze Medal | Belgium | Won | Maddie Leech replaced Jess Roberts |
Broader Context
Katie Archibald’s performance highlights her individual versatility after years of team pursuit successes, aiming now for the 2028 Olympics. Meanwhile, the women’s pursuit squad’s bronze keeps British cycling’s podium streak alive amidst fierce European competition.
This championship has been a mix of tension, triumph, and history-making moments, positioning Great Britain firmly as a major force in track cycling on the world stage.
Coverage of the championships continues through October 26, with expectations high for further medals.