Dame Laura Kenny wins bronze with England in the women’s team pursuit victory against Wales 

Dame Laura Kenny has won bronze in the women’s cycling team pursuit against Wales on the opening day of sporting competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Kenny and her England team-mates claimed the bronze medal in the 4000m women’s team pursuit at the VeloPark in Lee Valley, the same track that the 30-year-old won two Olympic gold medals on ten years ago.

Kenny was joined by Josie Knight, Maddie Leech & Sophie Lewis in their triumph over Wales after previously failing to reach the final.

Dame Laura Kenny and England won the bronze medal in the women’s 4000m team pursuit

Kenny spearheaded England’s medal charge as she led from the front to help guide the quartet to victory.

They beat Wales by just under two seconds to cement their podium place in the women’s cycling event in front of a packed out velodrome crowd.

Kenny, married to Olympic medal record-holder Sir Jason Kenny was making her first Commonwealth Games appearance since Glasgow 2014 after being forced to miss the 2018 Games in Australia following the birth of the couple’s son, Albie. 

This time round her son was in attendance to watch his mum storm to more track success during a hugely successful career in the sport.

Laura Kenny (right) celebrates with team-mates Josie Knight, Maddie Leech & Sophie Lewis

England triumphed over Wales by nearly two seconds in the third place showdown event

Speaking to BBC Sport following England’s medal triumph, Kenny said: 

‘It’s been brilliant. I don’t think I have ever felt so much pressure to win a bronze medal in my life with a younger team.

‘I was a whole bag of nerves to help them win and get a taste of medals I’ve had in the past.

‘To be totally honest I’ve been the weak link in the last two rounds.’  

England and Wales finished third and fourth respectively during the five-team time trial with Australia and New Zealand progressing to the final. 

Australia took gold in the Commonwealth competition after beating New Zealand in the final following England’s success.

England’s pursuit team took silver in the men’s 4000m final against New Zealand in a close-fought encounter that broke the Commonwealth record.

The English quartet first broke the games record with a time of three minutes and 49.584 seconds.

However the Kiwi stars went quicker still, setting a time of three minutes 47.575 seconds to steal victory in London.

England’s velodrome heroes were helpless in denying New Zealand’s four-man team of Aaron Gate, Jordan Kerby, Tom Sexton and Campbell Stewart gold, as they settled for silver.