Aussie gold for Winton cyclist

same tactics as I use here,’’ the 16-year-old Central Southland College student said.

She won gold in the junior women’s keirin and silver in the teams sprint. The other Southland juniors in the New Zealand team to win medals were Emily Paterson (silver in team pursuit and madison), Conor Shearing (silver in team pursuit and bronze in madison) and Helena Rikiti (silver in team pursuit).

Tyla always sets a goal before competing and her aim in Adelaide was to finish in the top 10 in the five events she entered. ‘‘To win gold and silver was unreal.’’

She wants more good performances at the U19 Track National Championships in Cambridge in February to secure a place in the New Zealand team for next year’s junior world champs in Germany.

Knowledge gained at the Southland branch of the Cycling New Zealand Hub had been a big factor in her success in the championships in Adelaide, Tyla said.

She is grateful for guidance from the hub’s head coach in Southland, Sid Cumming, and other trainers and managers, including Gerald Paterson, Nathan Shearing and Lance Spencer.

Tyla took up track cycling four years ago after trying it out to see if she liked it at the Invercargill velodrome.

‘‘I’ve never stopped,’’ Tyla said. ‘‘The cycling community is a close family.

‘‘We’ve all got the same mindset, we are focused and driven.’’