GLASGOW, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Iuri Leitao made history when he claimed Portugal's first ever world title in track cycling by winning the men's omnium event in Glasgow on Sunday.
With a comfortable cushion to take into the final points race, Leitao stayed out of trouble and held off the challenge of France's two-time omnium world champion Benjamin Thomas.
Portugal has a pedigree in road cycling but, with only one velodrome in the country, track cycling is the poor relation.
Now we have a lot of young riders so I think we have given a little bit of motivation for them.
"And it's really good to be to be a world champion in giving the hope to the new generation."
Persons:
Leitao, Portugal's, Benjamin Thomas, Thomas, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon
Organizations:
GLASGOW, Sunday, UCI, UCI ProTeam Caja, Thomson
Locations:
Glasgow, Portugal