by Karen Forman, cyclingnews.com correspondent
World Olympic sprint silver medallist Jobie Dajka proved his sprinting prowess with a 2-1 win over rival and AIS team-mate, world keirin champ Ryan Bayley, in the 2001 Cyclists International Melbourne Cup on Wheels carnival at Vodafone Arena on Saturday night.
Dajka, who is also the reigning Oceania Sprint Champion, pipped Bayley on the line to win the decider of the three-lap John Beasley Cycles match race in a time of 11.301.
The two speed machines put up a tough battle and provided the crowd of around 3000 spectators with a nail-biting finale. But it was South Australian Dajka with the tactics in the end - nothing surprising to West Australian Bayley.
"Jobie is quicker off the mark, whereas I take a while to build up to my top speed," he said prior to the event. "Jobie always has had more acceleration than me."
Dajka stamped his supremacy on the event in the first heat, powering away down the back straight and hitting top speed in the first 20 metres to hold off an attacking Bayley. He won in 10.943.
Then it was Bayley's turn. He rode a tactical second heat, riding high on the track behind Dajka, then ducking underneath to the front before the bell. Dajka pulled out all stops for the sprint to the line, but Bayley pipped him on the post for a very close finish in 11.104.
"They're very confident, both of them," said guest presenter Stewart Doyle, who commented road and track events for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. "Two speed machines."
Event 5 - Match Race 1 Jobie Dajka (South Australia) 10.943 2 Ryan Bayley (Western Australia) Event 9 - Match Race 1 Ryan Bayley (Western Australia) 11.104 2 Jobie Dajka (South Australia) Event 12 - Match Race 1 Jobie Dajka (South Australia) 11.301 2 Ryan Bayley (Western Australia) Final standings 1 Jobie Dajka (South Australia) 2 Ryan Bayley (Western Australia)