Australia have finished with just one gold from their eight-medal haul at the track cycling World Cup meet in New Zealand and will be hoping for better at this week’s Brisbane round.
The Kiwi hosts dominated the three-day meet in Cambridge, winning five golds, while the 18-strong Australian team climbed the dais once through a dominant ride from Georgia Baker and Alexandra Manly in the women’s madison.
World champions Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson, Ashlee Ankudinoff and Alexandra Manly won silver in the women’s team pursuit.Credit:Getty Images
Their two medals on Sunday included a silver medal to Cameron Meyer and Kelland O’Brien in the men’s madison, well beaten on points by world class New Zealand duo Aaron Gate and Campbell Stewart.
Sprinter Stephanie Morton picked up a bronze in the women’s keirin, a result the world champion described as pleasing in her first major event since undergoing knee surgery.
Sam Welsford, Leigh Howard, Kelland O’Brien and Alexander Porter won silver in the men’s team pursuit. Credit:Getty Images
‘‘I wasn’t really sure what to expect coming into this week,’’ Morton said.‘‘It’s the first real big race back since the op and I’m really happy with where I’ve landed, really happy with the progression and looking forward to Brisbane.’’
Nathan Hart finished fourth in the men’s sprint, with world champion Matthew Glaetzer having been eliminated in the round of 16.
Matthew Richardson, Nathan Hart and Thomas Cornish during the men’s team sprint. Credit:Getty Images
Glaetzer provided one of the highlights of the meet for Australia when he snared bronze in the men’s keirin on Saturday in his first competitive event since being diagnosed with thyroid cancer six weeks ago.
‘‘It’s pretty surreal to be honest. It’s the best third place I’ve got in my career,’’ Glaetzer said.
‘‘I exceeded my expectations by about three positions with this third place and very special in the considerations of what I’ve been through and it’s a credit to my team around me, just taking it one day at a time and not letting something get in your way.’’
Like most of the team in Cambridge, Glaetzer will ride in Brisbane, before preparing for his first round of radiotherapy treatment as he sets his sights on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. The Anna Meares Velodrome will stage this week’s meet, from Friday to Sunday.
AAP
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