CYCLING: Australia’s cyclists wrapped up the International Track Series (ITS) event in Adelaide over the weekend with a host of strong performances.
Matthew Glaetzer, Mitchell Bullen and Annette Edmondson all finished with gold in what was a world class five day meet.
Men’s Sprint
Glaetzer claimed his second sprint gold in three days after winning the 200m on Saturday.
In an all-Australian semi-final match up, reigning national champion Glaetzer edged Mitch Bullen (NSW) in straight heats while third-fastest qualifer Peter Lewis was taken to three by Japanese Olympian Nakagawa.
In the final, Lewis pushed his AIS track team mate but just couldn’t find the answer to the South Australian’s form as Glaetzer grabbed the victory.
“Pretty happy with that, qualified third so happy to make the 1-2 final,” said Lewis, who finished second to Glaetzer in the sprint final at the 2015 National Championships in Melbourne in January. “Had a crack but Matt is in red hot form at the moment, he was just too quick.
“But for me it is very early in the season, a long way to go. Where I am at in the gym, I am really happy with my performances this week.”
Men's Keirin
Armidale’s Mitchell Bullen (NSW) lead an Australian trifecta with a powerful victory in the men’s keirin final.
Taking the lead coming into the bell, former sprint national champion Bullen, 23, charged to the line ahead of rising stars Jacob Schmid (VIC), 21, and Braeden Dean (VIS), 19.
“It has been a long, tough week of racing, so to finish it off with a win,” said Bullen who finished second to Glaetzer in Thursday’s keirin final.
“It started to cool off in here as the night went on, so the plan was always to be towards the front of the race, but it panned out really well for me.
“I now head into the offseason, and I am looking forward to getting back into the gym and some hard work over the winter.”
Women's Omnium
Reigning world champion Annette Edmondson (SA) was almost perfect as she claimed her second omnium win of the week.
On Saturday, Edmondson took a strong win in the scratch race and finished second in the individual pursuit behind reigning world champion Rebecca Wiasak (3:35.567). She then took out the elimination in convincing style to establish a 20 point lead.
The field had no answers to Edmondson’s dominance on Sunday as she recorded wins in the time trial and the flying lap to establish an unassailable lead of 40 points heading into the final event of the day, the points race.
“I am stoked, didn’t know what to expect, where my form was at. I just wanted to get one win in the rainbow jersey to do it justice, so to get two is really nice,” said Edmondson, who won the omnium held across Wednesday and Thursday.
“It was quite surreal to be able to wear the rainbow bands and look up into the stands and see people you know,” added Edmondson who now heads to Europe for a women’s track endurance camp before continuing her road season.
Men's Omnium
In the men’s event, Tirian McManus (NSW) and 2012 omnium world champion Glenn O’Shea (VIC) rounded out the podium behind Sanghoon Park (KOR).
In the first three events held on Saturday, McManus won the scratch race, while Daniel Fitter (QLD) posted the fastest time of the day in the individual pursuit (4:25.974) and Sam Welsford (WA) claimed the win in the elimination race.
Nicholas Yallouris (NSW) bounced back from a crash in the previous night’s elimination race to win both races against the clock - flying lap and time trial – with McManus and O’Shea collecting five points each in the points to secure their placings.
“I am over the moon, I never expected coming into this to be going so well this early in the season,” said McManus, who also finished third in the first omnium of ITS which concluded last Thursday.
“I think it’s the first time I have been hitting the track season with some form since moving into the senior ranks. All the hard work in the gym has been really paying off.”
Women’s Sprint
It was a dazzling display from Wai Sze Lee (HKG) as she powered to her second sprint win of the week.
Fastest qualifier and second in Wednesday’s sprint competition, Stephanie Morton (SA) continued her good form with another sub eleven second run (10.937), the fastest of the morning session. McCulloch (11.222) was second fastest ahead of China’s Shuang Guo (11.271) and Lee (11.282).
Olympic champion Anna Meares (SA) was defeated by millimetres in the quarter-final by Lee, before Lee’s Aussie killing run continued over Morton in two heats in the semi finals.
McCulloch progressed to the final with a solid win over Olympic medallist Guo in the semi final, however Lee’s finishing power was just too much for McCulloch in the final.
“Really happy, I wasn’t really expecting that today,” said McCulloch who continues her return to form in 2015 after missing much of 2014 with injury.
“Second fastest qualifier in 11.222 and then second overall, so really stoked.
“Lee is a quality rider and I out qualified her today, but didn’t have the legs at the end, but I am happy to have taken her right to the line.”
In the battle for bronze, Morton pleased the home crowd with a 2-0 victory over Shuang Guo to take third place.
Women's Keirin
A world class line up treated fans with some of the best racing seen at the Super-Drome with in form Wai Sze Lee (HKG) prevailing in an extraordinary women’s keirin final ahead of 2009 world champion Shuang Guo (CHN) and reigning world champion Anna Meares (SA).
Lee, who won both sprint events of the week and finished second behind Meares in Thursday’s keirin, was boxed in at the bell and was forced to take the scenic route, moving four wide on the back straight.
As they approached the final bend, Lee took the lead and with Guo on her hip, the pair powered in a superb spread finish to the race just ahead of Meares in third and Stephanie Morton (SA).
CYCLING AUSTRALIA
