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Elinor Barker and Emily Nelson claim World Championship madison silver in Hong Kong

The Belgium (back) and Britain team (C) join hands during the women's madison final at the Hong Kong Velodrome during the Track Cycling World Championships
Image: Elinor Barker and Emily Nelson change over during the madison but Belgium (behind) were able to claim gold

Elinor Barker and Emily Nelson claimed silver in the first Track Cycling World Championships women's madison as Belgium took gold in Hong Kong.

Jolien d'Hoore and Lotte Kopecky won with 45 points to the British pair's 33, while Australia's Amy Cure and Alexandra Manly finished on 26 points to take bronze.

It was Britain's fourth medal of the championships on the fourth day.

Barker now has two silver medals and will be eager for a points race gold on Sunday's final day of competition.

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The Olympic team pursuit gold medallist won Britain's first medal with silver in the scratch race on day one, Chris Latham added bronze in the corresponding men's event on Thursday and Katie Archibald won omnium gold on Friday's third day of competition.

Barker and fellow Wales rider Nelson were in the medal mix throughout, scoring points with regularity in the sprints, which occurred every 10 laps in the 120-lap (30-kilometres) race.

At the halfway stage Belgium led with 19 points, with Britain second on 13 and Australia third on 11 points.

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Australia's Manly tumbled - for a second time - entering the ninth sprint, which Nelson won to narrow the gap to Belgium to three points.

D'Hoore next beat Barker to the line at the 10th sprint, behind New Zealand, as Belgium moved four points clear with two sprints remaining.

Belgium's Lotte Kopecky (L) and Jolien D'Hoore sling each other during the women's madison final at the Hong Kong Velodrome during the Track Cycling World
Image: Lotte Kopecky (L) and Jolien D'Hoore claimed enough points to deny Barker and Nelson a gold for Britain

There may have been margin for protest as D'Hoore aggressively drove for the line.

Nelson and Barker missed the change entering the penultimate sprint as Belgium enhanced their advantage to seven points ahead of the final sprint, where double points were available.

But Barker had to chase as D'Hoore crossed the line first.

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