Intro:

New Zealand, Russia and host nation France picked up gold medals at the Track Cycling World Championships in Paris on Friday (20th February).

Script:

Day three at the Track Cycling World Championships in Paris and there was more success for the host nation as Francois Pervis successfully defended his 1-kilometre time trial title, leaving Germany's Joachim Eilers and New Zealander Matthew Archibald in his wake.

It was a third gold medal for France at these championships, and a second individual gold for Pervis, who also retained his keirin title on Thursday at the Velodrome National.

Pervis' secured the win in 1 minute 0.207 seconds, averaging speeds of almost 60 kilometres an hour.

Pervis, who considered withdrawing from the competition following a bout of illness over the winter, claimed a third world title in his favourite event and his sixth gold medal overall.

Following Anastasiia Voinova's victory in the women's 500 metre time trial, Artur Ershov claimed Russia's second gold medal, after winning the men's points race.

Ershov edged out Spain's Eloy Teruel, who picked up his second career silver at world level in the points discipline.

Germany's Maximilian Beyer took the bronze.

Australian Rebecca Wiasak won the women's individual pursuit by defeating Jennifer Valente of the United States in the final.

Amy Cure, took the bronze by defeating Briton Joanna Roswell in the final for third place.

Australia and Germany lead the medal table with six medals apiece, although France have the most gold medals with three.