James, Williams star at track champs
New Zealand elite team riders Kirstie James and Zac Williams stepped out of the shadows of their more illustrious teammates with telling performances on the second night of the UCI Oceania track championships in Cambridge.
James made it three Oceania titles in two days with victory in the women’s
3000m individual pursuit yesterday to back up wins in the 4000m team pursuit and points race on Monday.
She put the pressure on in the second half of the race to beat top qualifier and teammate Bryony Botha in the final of the individual pursuit. James clocked
3:33.835, which was four seconds faster than her morning qualifying ride, with Botha a second back, recording her second personal best of the day.
‘‘I’m really satisfied with my results through the training block we have had and I have exceeded my expectations here,’’ James said.
‘‘I have always wanted to win a pursuit title. It is an event that shows your true form and true grit. It is the only race that can hurt you that much, so to back up after winning the points race [on Monday], I was really happy with that.’’
Williams set the morning session alight in qualifying when he clocked
1:00.447 which was the fastest time by a New Zealander at sea level, previously held by former world championship medallist Matt Archibald. He also broke the New Zealand all-comers record held by London Olympic medallist Simon van Velthooven.
It was a New Zealand trifecta in the final with Williams forced to fight hard after an indifferent start that saw him half a second down through the first lap. He dug deep to power home in 1:00.825, his second time under the 1:01 barrier to head fellow elite squad riders Bradly Knipe (1:01.429) and Nick Kergozou
(1:01.517).
‘‘I am absolutely stoked. The record this morning was a bit unexpected but to do that time and beating the guys I know that have gone sub 1:01 in New Zealand history is pretty cool,’’ Williams said.
The much-vaunted Australians also shone, and none more so than world champion, Jordan Kerby who produced a ride of brilliance to win the men’s 4000m individual pursuit in 4:13.529, only a second outside his time in winning the world title.
In doing so, he smashed the New Zealand all-comers record set by Jesse Sergent in
2012 by three seconds. New Zealand’s Jared Gray, a member of the world junior champion team pursuit this year, showed his bright future in finishing second in
4:23.736.
World Championship medallist Stephanie Morton, in-form after two silver medals at the recent World Cups in Europe, took out the women’s keirin after winning the team sprint on the first day.
New Zealand Olympian Natasha Hansen, back after injury, made a bold move off the front with two laps to go, but Morton managed to roll over her on the final bend to win from the Kiwi and her team sprint winning teammate Kaarle McCulloch.
After finishing runner-up in the individual pursuit, New Zealand’s Bryony Botha attacked off the front of the pack with Breanna Hargrave, with the Kiwi holding her off in the sprint for the win.
South Australia’s Josh Harrison took out the all-Australian sprint finish to claim the men’s scratch race.
In under-19 action, the Australians claimed the men’s team pursuit honours, while New Zealand’s Ally Wollaston enjoyed a superb night to win the 2000m individual pursuit and then won the double-points final sprint to claim the points race.
Australian Thomas Cornish set an allcomers record in winning the 1000m time trial in 1:02.286, while Nelson’s Shaane Fulton continued her outstanding form to claim the Keirin honours.
Today’s penultimate day of elite action includes the men’s individual sprint plus the omnium for men and women.