New Zealand’s sprint cyclists were to the fore on the final day of the UCI Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Melbourne.
Eddie Dawkins led a Kiwi clean sweep of medals in the keirin competition. The world championship silver medallist beat promising Manawatu rider Jordan Castle with Dawkins’ fellow Rio Olympic team sprint medallist Sam Webster third.
This follows Webster’s win over Dawkins in the final of the individual sprint on Friday.
Christchurch’s Jackson Ogle impressed to finish second in the junior men’s keirin final.
Ellesse Andrews, a double medallist at the junior world championship in team sprint and pursuit, showed her further capabilities with a second placing in the scratch race final with Manawatu’s Emily Shearman third.
There were further medals in the two-rider Madison with Michaela Drummond pairing with Racquel Sheath to finish second in the women’s race behind Australians Annette Edmondson, the Rio omnium medallist, and Amy Cure.
Regan Gough teamed with Tom Sexton to finish third in the men’s Madison won by Miles Scotson and Kelland O’Brien from Australia.
The championship was the first chance to collect UCI qualifying points for next year’s world championships with Cycling New Zealand also taking the opportunity to blood some new talent while riders had the opportunity to compete under some of the new racing formats.
Full results: http://timedresult.com/
Photo courtesy Guy Swarbrick: Eddie Dawkins in action