Great Britain’s cycling team celebrated a stellar start at the Track World Championships in Chile, as Josh Tarling and Josh Charlton clinched gold medals, reinforcing Britain’s dominance on the global track scene.

Josh Tarling Wins First British Gold in Points Race

Josh Tarling, only 21 years old, kicked off the championship with a remarkable performance in the men’s points race, delivering the first British gold of the competition. Covering the grueling 40km race, Tarling amassed 750 points, surpassing American competitor Peter Moore, who finished with 675 points.

From the outset, Tarling showcased his tactical brilliance, scoring points in the opening sprint and seizing maximum points in the third sprint. His decisive move came when he powered ahead to gain a lap, establishing a commanding lead. Tarling continued to dominate, collecting additional points—including maximum points in the eleventh sprint—culminating in a memorable victory.

This win marks a significant milestone as Tarling becomes the first British man to win the points race world title since Jonathan Dibben in 2016. Reflecting on his performance, Tarling shared,

“I didn’t know how my first World Championships would be or how it would feel, so not knowing was scary. It felt pretty good. I think it was good that I got those early points in so I knew the legs were there.”

Josh Charlton Clinches Gold in Individual Pursuit

Following Tarling’s success, 22-year-old Josh Charlton added another gold to Britain’s tally by winning the men’s individual pursuit, marking GB’s first world title in this event since Bradley Wiggins in 2008. Charlton, who took silver on his championship debut last year, dominated the race this time, finishing over three seconds ahead of Denmark’s Rasmus Pederson.

Other British Medalists

The British team continued their impressive form across other events. Joe Truman claimed bronze in the men’s 1km time trial, matching his achievement from last year, finishing behind the Dutch powerhouse duo, Harrie Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland.

Meanwhile, Katie Archibald secured silver in the women’s elimination race, and the GB women’s team earned bronze in the team pursuit. Britain also collected silver medals in both the men’s and women’s team sprints on the opening day. After three days of competition, Great Britain’s medal count stands at seven, showcasing the depth and talent of the national squad.

Great Britain’s Dominance at the Track World Championships

The early success of Tarling and Charlton highlights a new generation of British track cycling talent making its mark on the world stage. With multiple medals already in the bag, Team GB is poised for further success as the championship progresses, cementing Britain’s reputation as a powerhouse in international track cycling.