Sakakibara is now second on the overall points tally, having collected a second bronze medal to add to a silver in four rounds of competition.

World champion Alise Willoughby and Dutch rider Judy Baauw edged Sakakibara out in the World Cup series event. 

Sakakibara’s day was a near flawless performance winning every race except for her semi-final where she came second.

“I came in today with the same sort of mindset from yesterday and that was just to have fun,” Sakakibara said.

“In the final I was able to get into second place around the track and I kind of messed up the last straight which cost me, but I am really happy I finished third, it was an awesome weekend and I’ve learnt so much.”

Sakakibara’s brother Kai was also in impressive form on the Papendal track in the early rounds, butmissed out on a spot in the final coming sixth in the semi. 

“It was disappointing that none of our men’s side could make it into the final but when you see the quality of riders going out in the early rounds, it goes to show how cut-throat racing is at these rounds these days,” national team manager Luke Madill said. “Saya was great again today, she is showing that she fits right in and is comfortable with the best in the world.”

With Sakakibara 100 points behind leader Laura Smulders, the next two rounds are held at Heusden-Zolder in Belgium next weekend.