HALE’S GIFT TRIUMPH

HOMEGROWN sprint sensation Jack Hale has claimed his first Latrobe Gift in a crowd-pleasing performance off the back mark.

Hale, who is now training and living in Melbourne, made his presence felt in his semifinal before holding on to take out the major event.

His first SCAT Christmas Carnival scalp comes after a win at Reunion Day at the Domain Athletics Centre at the weekend.

“It is great to win the Latrobe Gift and meet the expectations I knew were on me to perform this year,” the 19-yearold said after the race.

“I am over the moon to put in such a run just 50 days out from the Commonwealth Games trials.”

Tasmanian champions also took out the Latrobe Women’s Wheel and Women’s Gift.

Abby Chapman, who won the event in 2015 put in a solid performance, saying she was managing to juggle her athletics and medical careers.

“I thought my training might suffer but so far so good,” the Launceston General Hospital doctor said.

“I was just aiming to make the finals but now have the Burnie Gift on my radar.”

Lauren Perry, who had returned to competition on the bike after suffering chronic fatigue, was a popular winner in the Women’s Wheel.

“I had no race plan but have gained confidence from the win,” Perry said after the race.

“It has been a long comeback but everything seems to be going in the right direction now. I now have the national road series in my sights and Tokyo Olympics on my radar.”

Latrobe Wheel winner Sam Welsford created history, taking out his third wheel race. The backmarker cleaned up the leaders in the final lap to a cheering crowd.

Labelled the best track rider in Australia, Welsford is now aiming to claim his third Burnie Wheel victory.

“I had a good year last year and this one is shaping up as even better,” the 22-year-old said. “I realised I had the race late and it was a great feeling.

“The depth of riders are better at this year’s carnivals, but it seems I am going through a good phase.”