27/02/2011 - Short and fast was the order day at the ILT Velodrome this morning on the final day of the 2011 RaboDirect Elite Track National Championship.
Para-cyclist Philippa Gray and her tandem pilot Laura Thompson (Southland) rode a blistering ride in the tandem kilometre time trial to set a new national record. The women set a 1.12.417 over four laps of the track. It is a massive confidence boost for the duo ahead of the para-cycling World Championships in Montichiari, Italy in the middle of March.
International Keirin rider Simon van Velthooven flew through the sprint qualifying rounds to advance to tonight’s final after easily winning his semi-final dual from Canterbury’s Elijah May. It was Southlander versus Southlander in the battle for the second spot in the sprint final. Matt Archibald faced off against fellow time member Matt Dodds in the semi final with Archibald doing enough to secure himself a place in the final tonight.
Southlander Cameron Karwowski takes the lead in the men’s omnium after winning the final lap. He has a slim two point lead ahead of Jason Allen and Tom Scully. There are still two races left in the omnium – the points and the elimination.
Tonight’s final session will see the women’s omnium decided with the scratch race and 500m time trial. New Zealand Commonwealth Games sprint representatives Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell make their championship debut in the team sprint. Racing kicks off at 6.30pm.