British cyclist Matt Walls has bagged a gold medal at Tokyo 2020 with a dominant performance in the omnium.
At his first Olympics, the 23-year-old proud Oldham lad finished on a total of 153 points – 24 more than silver medallist Campbell Stewart of New Zealand.
Italy’s defending champion Elia Viviani took bronze.
Walls’ victory earns Team GB’s first track cycling gold medal at the Games – adding to a personal haul that has already seen him take a world championship bronze and European title.
GOLD! 🥇
MATT WALLS YOU HERO 🔥🔥🔥
Matthew Walls is the new omnium Olympic Champion!
Absolute class from the British rider in every single round – what a performance at his debut Games….!
Walls got his campaign at the Izu Velodrome off to the perfect start when he won the opening scratch race, before placing third in the tempo race.
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Second place followed in the elimination round, ensuring he would top the overall standings going into the 100-lap points race.
He was one of several riders to gain a lap early on, earning 20 points, and won two of the sprints.
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Not only is this Team GB’s first track cycling gold of the Games, Walls is also Great Britain’s first male Olympic champion in the omnium event, after Mark Cavendish’s silver at Rio 2016 and Ed Clancy’s bronze at London 2012 – when the event was first included on the Olympic programme.
Matt Walls: Olympic champion! 💥
That's the first gold for #TeamGB on the track at these Games.
And he brings GB's medal tally up to a fantastic 50! 🥇🥈🥉
Walls told the BBC after his victory: “I managed to get a good lead coming to the end.
“It’s been a hard day [but] I came into that points race with a bit of a lead which was nice, it gave me a bit of breathing room.”
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Giving a deserved shoutout to his upbringing in the Greater Manchester town, Walls added: “Thank you to all my family and friends, I wouldn’t be here without them, especially my parents when I was younger growing up, they travelled around the country with me and there’s no chance I’d be here without them.”
A shout-out to Oldham from Olympic Champion Matt Walls 🤩
Today was a masterclass in cycling from the 23-year-old, dominating from the start 👏
Delays on M60 continue after man dies falling from bridge near Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
A man has tragically died after falling from a bridge on the M60, near the Trafford Centre.
Police closed the motorway in both directions at around 10am this morning as they responded to the concern for welfare.
The man was on Barton Bridge on the M60, but tragically fell and passed away at the scene.
The motorway was shut anti-clockwise between junction 12 for the M602 and junction 10, and on the clockwise carriageway between junction 9 and 11, with a huge diversion in place.
Although the motorway has reopened as the afternoon has worn on, disruption is ‘likely’ to continue for several hours yet.
National Highways is reporting up to two miles of congestion on the M60 around Barton Bridge.
In a statement released earlier today, a GMP spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am today (Tuesday 31 March).
“The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance. Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
GMP later added: “Earlier today, officers responded to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60. The man sadly fell from the bridge and passed away at the scene.
“The road remains closed while enquiries continue. Please avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible as disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day.”
Molly-Mae Hague and adidas drop new collection inspired by matcha and iced lattes
Daisy Jackson
Today, adidas has finally released its hotly-anticipated parnership with Manchester-based influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
The social media superstar has collaborated with the sportswear giant for a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by matchas and iced lattes.
Molly-Mae and adidas Originals have just given fans a look at the shoes for the first time.
The star has curated a limited-edition collection of iconic Originals silhouettes – a Samba and a Superstar.
The first is the Samba Matcha shoes, a premium leather and suede shoe in a soft green colour, with double pink and white laces.
The other is a Superstar II Latte, which again features double laces in coffee-coloured hues, but in the iconic leather Superstar silhouette.
In behind-the-scenes footage of the design process on Molly-Mae’s Amazon Prime documentary series, Behind It All, she described them as ‘matcha cool girl in London’ shoes – and the vision has definitely come to life.
Molly-Mae said: “Seeing my creative vision come to life on two iconic adidas Originals silhouettes that have long been staples in my wardrobe is a true dream.
“Being so closely involved in the design process and creating products that feel fun, timeless, and an authentic extension of my own personal style has been the best experience.
“I am so excited to see how others style them in their own way.”
Steve Marks, VP Brand adidas UK commented: “At adidas, we partner with individuals who define style through authenticity and a deep-rooted connection to our brand.
“Molly-Mae’s relationship with adidas Originals has developed organically over time as a key advocate of the brand and this partnership represents a natural evolution – bringing her signature aesthetic to two of our most iconic silhouettes.”
The limited-edition adidas Originals x Molly-Mae collection drops in stores and online on 9 April, priced at £100 per pair.
Emily Sergeant -
5th August 2021 
