Third Oceania title for Sexton in points race
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Both New Zealand and Australian elite track cycling squads will approach the upcoming international season with confidence after strong performances at the Oceania Championships that finished in Cambridge on Saturday.
The five-day meet is the first significant competition before both high performance squads compete in the UCI Track World Cups in Perth, Hong Kong and Malaysia next month.
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Cycling New Zealand high performance director Ryan Hollows was pleased with the quality and approach from the New Zealand teams.
“Oceania is always very important as an early season event whether here or in Australia,” said Hollows.
“Year on year we are seeing the quality and performances improve and is an important start point for the international season ahead for both nations.
“There were over 80 Australians here which is a testament to the event and ensured a high quality of racing through juniors, elite and para cyclists.”
Hollows said that the competition is invaluable ahead of the three World Cups.
“The World Cups are important to ensure we can pick up quota and eligibility for the UCI World Championships and on to the Olympic Games. We are also wanting some good racing bearing in mind we are still to select a team to the Commonwealth Games.”
Hollows was impressed with the performance of sprinter Olivia King, who will partner Kiwi star Ellesse Andrews in the opening World Cup in Perth.
“We’ve been without a women’s team sprint in the early part of the season, so Perth will be an important opportunity for Olivia and Ellesse to get more race experience under their belts and gain more tactical awareness.”
Other NZ riders singled out include Tom Sexton, who won the points race, omnium and individual pursuit along with second in the madison.
“Ally Wollaston won her races in typical Ally-fashion and Bryony Botha was very impressive.”
Standouts on the final day comprised Sexton, who rode with authority and nous to win the elite men’s points race; while Australian Keira Wills took out the elite women’s race from New Zealand’s Prue Fowler.
The under-19 omniums were shared with New Zealand’s Riley Crampton winning the junior men, and Australian Megan Moore claiming the junior women.
The honours in the junior keirin finals were also shared, with Australia’s Emily Watch winning the women, and New Zealand’s Ben Murphy in the men. Australian Tayte Ryan was classy in winning the 1000m time trial and compatriot Claudia Marcks winning the women.