by Justin Davis

APELDOORN, Netherlands, March 26, 2011 (AFP) – Anna Meares of Australia
dominated Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite 2-0 to claim her maiden sprint title
at the world track cycling championships Saturday.

Meares, 27, had beaten reigning and five-time world champion Victoria
Pendleton of Britain in the semi-finals to secure her final spot.

And the Queenslander, who gave up the defense of her 500 meter time trial
crown here to focus on the sprint tournament, proved too strong for
Krupeckaite in the final.

She beat the Lithuanian with relative ease in the first race, and despite
having to restart the second, after an infringement by Krupeckaite, Meares
powered past her rival with ease, giving herself time to celebrate before the
finish line.

Pendleton, the reigning Olympic champion, had to settle for the bronze
medal after beating Belarussian Olga Panarina 2-0.

Meares’ win is a first for Australian women in track cycling’s blue riband
event. Before gold, she had won two bronze and one silver.

Although Krupeckaite is a formidable opponent in her own right, the key to
victory was ousting Pendleton in the semis.

“I tried to bring out everything possible to beat her (Pendleton), she’s
been four-time straight and five-time champion in this event,” said Meares.

“To be able to beat her is a big honor for me. We have a big rivalry, but
I admire her for the rider that she is.”

Pendleton came into the championships claiming she would happily sacrifice
a world title if it meant she would defend her Olympic crown in London next
year.

And after making an extra effort to prime herself for the challenge, Meares
put hours of poring over tactics and videos of her opponents to good use.

The Australian seemed in control of each of her matches, even appearing to
intimidate Pendleton in their semi — a tactic she admitted she does not get
to use too often.

“I like that tactic,” she added.

“I don’t get to play it too much these days. A lot of people are very wary
of my right hand side at the fence. I was surprised I got the opportunity to
put Vicky there, she doesn’t often allow that to happen.

“I took the chance, I took the risk and it paid off.”

Meares, however, knows the hard work will continue all the way to the
London Games in 15 months time.

“Absolutely. Victoria has had a stranglehold on this event for six years,
and I think that makes her one of the greatest sprinters of all time,” added
Meares.

“We’re only 15 months out from the Olympic Games, and there’s no way I’m
discounting her. Because she’s such a good rider I look forward to the rivalry
and the battle.

“I think it’s going to make us bring the best out of ourselves.”

Pendleton said: “I knew coming into this competition that I wasn’t in the
form of my life; I’m committed to a two-year programme.

“I’m really pleased to come away with a medal. I haven’t missed a
semi-final since 2003, which I don’t think is a bad run – you wouldn’t expect
that from a football or a cricket team, would you?

“I’m not giving up without a fight yet. I think she (Meares) should be
looking over her shoulder because I’ll be back next year with a vengeance.”