By Nick Butler

Kristina Vogel crosses the line to win her first individual world cycling title ©AFP/Getty ImagesMarch 1 - Germany's Kristina Vogel held off two Chinese rivals to win her first major individual title on day four of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Track World Championships in Cali.


In addition to team sprint titles at the last three World Championships, as well as at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the 23-year-old was individual sprint runner-up last year in Minsk and won a keirin bronze in Melbourne the year before.

But, with two of her biggest rivals, Britain's defending champion Becky James and Australia's Olympic champion Anna Meares, going out at the quarter-final stage, this always seemed her big chance and the German duly took her opportunity with a virtually flawless performance. 

Behind her, there were two minor medals for China as Tianshi Zhong took silver after Lin Junhong held off Britain's Jessica Varnish to claim bronze.

The Chinese duo will be sick of the sight of Vogel after also finishing one place behind her in the team sprint, yet the Championships have nonetheless been a major success for Chinese sprinters.

Elsewhere there was a third medal, and first gold, of the Championships for Australian Amy Cure in the women's 25 kilometres points race.

Amy Cure leads the breakaway group en route to winning the world point race title ©AFP/Getty ImagesAmy Cure leads the breakaway group en route to winning the world point race title ©AFP/Getty Images



After minor medals in both the individual and team pursuits Cure beat Stephanie Pohl of Germany and Jasmine Glaesser of Canada by three and six points respectively.

Italian favourite Giorgia Bronzini finished in eighth place after being unable to gain a lap - as Cure secured a second Australian victory in the event following the win for Katherine Bates in 2007.

While Germany and Australia added a third gold to their overall collection, France ensured that they would not be left behind as Thomas Boudat won the omnium title.

He held off Tim Veldt of the Netherlands and Viktor Manakov of Russia for the medals, while there was more home success for Colombia as Juan Arango finished in a creditable sixth position, one place behind Britain's former champion Ed Clancy.

France are also set for more success in the men's sprint tomorrow as François Pervis defeated Britain's Olympic champion Jason Kenny to reach the semi-finals and stay on course for a third individual gold medal of the Championships.

After Kenny and Clancy's disappointing day, Britain does have a chance of more medals in the omnium where, although Laura Trott lies six points off American leader and bitter rival Sarah Hammer in second place at the halfway stage, she has proved time and time again that she is capable of overhauling any deficit on the second day.

As well as the women's omnium and men's sprint events, the fifth and final day will also feature the men's madison and women's keirin, as well as the conclusion of the tight battle between Germany, Australia and France at the top of the medals table.