Olympics: Risi off the pace in points race

Bruno Risi looks back in the points race final in Sydney Keystone

The Swiss track cyclist Bruno Risi has finished 12th in the men's points race. The 32-year-old rider from canton Uri took 13 points from the complicated scoring system, but was unable to mount a serious challenge on the leading riders.

During the 40km indoor race, points are awarded every 10 laps to the riders who cross the line in the first four positions.

Five points are awarded for first place, three for second, two for third and one for fourth. After the race distance is completed, the winner is the rider who has managed to lap the field. If more than one rider achieves this feat the points system determines the final order.

Risi’s points tally was the seventh best but he finished two laps behind the top competitors, with Spain’s Juan Llaneras taking the gold medal.

Although he finished outside of the diploma places, Risi was at least able to improve on his performance at the last Olympic Games in Atlanta, when he finished 17th. He later described that race as the worst of his life.

On Thursday, though, Risi will be hoping to ride the best race of his life when he pairs up with fellow canton Uri cyclist Kurt Betschart for the Madison race.

Risi and Betschart are among the favourites for a medal in the discipline, which requires tactical interaction between the two riders in a combination of long distance cycling and timed sprints.

swissinfo with agencies