| Aus Track Titles Home |
| Preview Program Day 1 report Day 2 report Day 3 report Day 4 report Day 5 report Wrap-up Startlist Special: Bikes and bits Photos Results |
 |
Australian/Oceania Track Titles - CN
Sydney, Australia, April 30 - May 4, 2003
Main Page Results Previous Day Next Day
Day 4 - May 3
- Men open 1 lap Time Trial
- Women Sprint Semi Final
- Mens Disabled Tandem Sprint
- Womens Disabled Tandem Sprint
- Men Team Sprint
- Men 15K Scratch
- Women Sprint
- Women 25K Points
- Men U19 Team Sprint
- Women U/19 20K Points Race
Reporting by Gerard Knapp
World records tumble on penultimate day
 |
The afternoon session of day 4 of the 2003 Australian Track cycling championships saw the introduction of a completely new event in track cycling - the men's open one lap time trial, as well as world records tumbling in the men's and women's flying 200 metre tandem time trials.
The inaugural men's open one lap time trial was taken out by Victorian rider Mark French in 18.494 seconds, ahead of two Greek riders, Lazaros Sloumpas (18.618), and Anthansios Mantzouranis (18.697). The event was introduced to provide the sprinters with another event and allow coaches to spot the best talent for lead-out riders in the team sprint, which is an Olympic and world championship event.
The team sprint is a three-lap time trial and has two teams of three riders starting on opposite sides of the track. The lead rider must have the explosive power to take the trio up to speed as quickly as possible.
French said the win should help him in his goal of becoming part of Australia's team sprint trio. In his first year of senior competition, French comes into an Australian squad with a wealth of sprint talent, including world champions Sean Eadie and Jobie Dajka, as well as former world keirin champion Ryan Bayley. Also available for the team sprint are Shane Kelly and Queenslander Danny Day.
 |
"That's where I want to end up," French said, "after the 'big man'", a reference to Eadie, who currently is the lead rider in the team sprint for Australia. For the one lap TT, French used a 92" gear, the same as for match sprinting (French uses a 94" for sprint qualifying).
Fourth in the one lap TT was Victorian rider Damien Kierl (18.8), while Wade Bootes came in fifth - on his rear wheel. Bootes lifted the front wheel as he threw his bike at the line and the timing was recorded as his rear wheel crossed the line, four hundreds of second slower than Kierl's time. It is the first national track championships for the multi-talented Bootes, the reigning world BMX and MTB 4X champion who has been training with the Australian Institute of Sport track squad, in between his other racing commitments around the world.
Consolation for French
French is a dual junior world sprint champion and the previous evening he was defeated in the final of the match sprint by Ryan Bayley. It was French's first national sprint final in the senior ranks and he fought hard with Bayley over three heats. Winning the one lap TT was some consolation for losing the previous evening, "but it was good racing with Ryan. It wasn't like there were big gaps at the line. It was really close."
In the final heat of the sprint, Bayley led it out very early in typical fashion and French was unable to come around, with a tyre's width separating the two at the line. "Ryan's got a sixth gear," he said of the WA rider's final surge. French said the silver would make him work harder and realize that the senior competition was at another level.
World records tumble
In the multi-disability flying 200 metre time trials, the duo of Keiran Modra and Darren Harry recorded 10.749 seconds for the flying 200 metre, breaking the world record of 10.77 seconds, which had stood since 1991.
In the women's tandem, the world record of 12.375 seconds was first broken by the pair of Janelle Lindsay and Lindy Hou with a time of 12.272, then Janet Shaw and Leanne Manderson broke it again with a 12.126.
Women's sprint final
 |
After being upstaged by her younger sister in previous days of the nationals, order was seemingly restored in Australia's female sprinting world with Queenslander Kerrie Meares taking the gold in the sprint final against South Australian rider Rosealee Hubbard.
However, it was a far from smoothly earned title for the Queenslander. In the first heat, Meares tried to go into the lead, slipped at the start and lost her front wheel, sliding down the track in front of the audience. "I thought 'whoops!', I've just fallen over in front of a thousand people."
Meares needed a front wheel change and massage on her right knee, while Hubbard slowly circled the track. After a short delay, the heat was finally underway and Meares used her tactical skills to keep Hubbard from coming around, before hitting her straps for the final run for the line and easily took out the heat.
In the second heat, Meares again took the lead but received a warning from the commissaries for blocking Hubbard and the heat was stopped. On their second lap, Meares was found to have come down on Hubbard, who had tried to slip under the Queenslander on the back straight. Later, Meares said "I didn't think she (Hubbard) would be that committed" to the move, but accepted the decision of the commissaries.
After receiving an official warning, Meares was made to take the lead-out in the re-start but this time she went out much faster and used pure speed to keep Hubbard at bay, easily winning the heat and the title.
The race for bronze saw her sister Anna Meares line up against New Zealand rider Elizabeth Williams. It was a similar score of two-nil to Queensland as the younger Meares faced closer competition from the Kiwi rider, but comfortably judged her run to the line, finishing alongside but just slightly in front of Williams.
Men's team sprint
 |
In his first-ever national track championships, world BMX and MTB downhill/4X rider Wade Bootes secured a gold medal in the team sprint with fellow Queenslanders Wade Cosgrove and Alistair Hartley.
Although they recorded a slower time to a top-strength team from Greece in the final, Queensland were awarded the gold as the highest-placed Australian team. However, they weren't actually the fastest team from an Australian state, with their time of 47.090 fractionally slower than the trio from NSW, who posted 46.953 in their final for the bronze medal against Victoria (47.226). Meanwhile, the sprinters from Greece were actually the fastest of the final four with a time of 46.849, but were not awarded with any medals as it was a national championship event.
The teams were selected for the finals based on qualifying times and NSW state coach Gary Sutton was philosophical about the result. "At the end of the day it's a bit disappointing, but that's how it goes."
Nonetheless, the result delighted Cosgrove, the multi-talented rider who has come away from his first national track event with a gold medal. He only recently started racing on the track and made lead rider for the Queenslanders, gradually posting faster opening laps as the day went on, with a time of 18.527 seconds for the first lap in the final.
The BMX and MTB rider has a noticeable surge in speed after the first 70 metres, with the following rider unable to hold his wheel for most of the first lap.
Bootes said he believes the surge is a result of his BMX and MTB racing background, but also admits that his finish of the first lap needs work. "That will come from specific training," he said. "When I sit down, I really feel like I ease up a bit. After all, I'm not really used to sitting down and riding hard."
In BMX and the 4X downhill MTB events, Bootes uses his explosive power for short bursts of acceleration - all out of the saddle and standing on the pedals. However, the rider forced his way onto the state team despite not attending the state titles, something of a political breakthrough in the state.
His talent has been recognized by Queensland state coach Peter Day and national track coach Martain Barras, who've offered the rider offered encouragement and training support. Earlier this year Bootes trained with the national track squad at the AIS in Adelaide and then competed at the Moscow round of the track world cup.
Men's 15km Scratch race
 |
Prior to the start of the men's 15km scratch race, Cyclingnews.com asked NSW coach Gary Sutton for his prediction: "(Darren) Young will place, but I think Cosgrove will get it. He's fast".
And that is exactly how the race panned out, with sprinter Wade Cosgrove coming from last wheel to jump the field, pulling a 10-metre gap and taking the win ahead of fellow Queenslander Grant Irwin and Tasmanian Darren Young in third.
The final frantic laps saw Tasmanian pursuit ace Mark Jamieson bury himself to lead team-mate Darren Young into a strong position, only to have the large Victorian rider Robert Wilson take Jamieson's wheel and kill the momentum of the lead-out. As Jamieson backed off on the penultimate lap, the field bunched at the head of the field and Cosgrove launched himself, leaving the field in his wake with an explosive burst.
It was a surprise birthday present for Cosgrove, the 2002 world junior champion in the 1km time trial who turned 19 on day 4 of the Australian championships. "I thought they're not going too quick, so I'll hit 'em now," Cosgrove said. "I thought someone was on my tail, but I looked around and saw that no-one was there."
 |
"I got the jump on them and I don't think they were expecting it." Cosgrove is seen by many - including himself - as more of a sprinter. But it is not the first time that Cosgrove has used the last-lap tactic in a longer scratch race. He used the same move only two weeks earlier to win the same event in the Queensland state titles.
He admitted that he wasn't feeling too good after the first 10 to 15 laps, but he was able to sit in for most of the race as most attacks didn't last.
As he cooled down on the rollers after the race, Cosgrove said he had "always wanted to be a sprinter" and was looking forward to competing in the keirin on the final day of competition. "I wish I hadn't done it now," he said.
Photography
Images by Tom Balks/www.tombalks.com
Women Multi Disability Tandem Flying 200
- West Australians Janet Shaw and Leeanne Manderson broke a long-standing world record in the Tandem Flying 200, setting a time of 12.126 (59.38km/h).
- Janelle Lindsay and Lindy Hou from NSW were no slouches either, taking the silver medal in the Flying 200 with a time of 12.272 (58.67km/h).
Men 1 Lap Time Trial
- In a completely new event in track cycling, Mark French (Vic) gets set to blast off in the 1 lap Time Trial.
- Mark French (Vic) was the fastest of 37 starters with a scorching time of 18.494 (48.66km/h).
Women Sprint Final
- In a close-fought race for the bronze, Anna Meares (Qld) took the honours over Elizabeth Williams.
- Anna Meares (Qld) eyes her Kiwi adversary with steely eyes.
- In the second round of the Women's Sprint Final, Kerrie Meares (Qld) took a tumble at the start, but quickly composed herself like a true professional.
- After Kerrie Meares (Qld) pulled her foot, Rosealee Hubbard (SA) was given a warning, requiring two restarts.
- Meares (Qld) chose to lead on both occassions, keeping Hubbard (SA) high on the banking until the final 100 metres.
Men Multi Disability Tandem Sprint Final
- Kieran Modra (WA, front) and Darren Harry (WA) came from 1-0 down take out the Multi Disability Tandem Sprint finals.
Men Team Sprint
- The Grecian trio rode like a well-oiled machine in the Team Sprint, easily accounting for Queensland with a time of 46.849.
- In the playoff for the bronze, the New South Welshman defeated Victoria in a time of 46.953.
- Wade Bootes (Qld) gives Cyclingnews photographer Tom Balks his best bad-ass look.
Women U19 20km Points Race
- Third-placed Amy Kirk (WA) takes the inside line in the closing moments of the Women's Points Race.
- It may be the bell lap, but Renee Braithwaite (SA) already had the race stitched up.
- A spectator's eye view of the bunch.
- Kate Nichols (NSW) finished second behind winner Renee Braithwaite (SA).
- Renee Braithwaite (SA) punches the air with delight, having done enough throughout the race to take the Points Race title.
Men 15km Scratch Race Final
- The bunch at full tilt with three laps to go.
- Rodney McGee (NSW) gets in the thick of the action.
- Once Wade Cosgrove (Qld) was home and hosed, Grant Irwin (Qld) took a flyer to make the podium a Queensland 1-2.
- Mark Jamieson (Tas, 3rd from front) did plenty of work at the head of the bunch, but the Queenslanders were simply too good tonight.
- Wade Cosgrove (Qld) launches his race-winning move, taking a flyer from a massive one and a half laps out.
- Wade Cosgrove (Qld) throws his bike at the line to assure himself of championship victory.
Women 25km Points Race
- A mass pile-up occurred less than a quarter of the way into the race, with Katrina Purcell (WA) coming off second-best.
- Lisa Fletcher (NSW) was another victim in the accident. Hopefully she's got another pair of shorts sitting at home.
- Lisa Fletcher (NSW) looks a little starry eyed, but thankfully none of the women were seriously hurt.
- Second-placed Louise Yaxley (Tas) leads race winner Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) in the final stages of the race.
- With a margin impossible to match, Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) was more than happy to sit in the confines of the bunch until the final 100 metres.
- Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) was a convincing winner in the Points Race, winning by a massive 13 point margin over Louise Yaxley (Tas).
Results
Afternoon session Evening session
Afternoon session
Event 77: Women Sprint Semi Final Round 1
Qualification Criteria: Best of 3 races, winners to race for Gold and Silver, losers for Bronze
Rnd 1 Rnd 2
Heat 1
1 Rosealee Hubbard (SA) 12.80 12.888
2 Anna Meares (Qld)
Heat 2
1 Kerrie Meares (Qld) 12.88 12.542
2 Elizabeth Williams (NZl)
Event 78: Women MD Tandem F200 Final
Rnd 1 Rnd 2
1 Janet Shaw (WA) 12.126 59.38*
Leeanne Manderson (WA)
2 Janelle Lindsay (NSW) 12.272 58.67
Lindy Hou (NSW)
3 Lyn Lepore (WA) 12.533 57.45
Kerry Cohen (WA)
4 Felicity Johnson (SA) 12.706 56.67
Toireasa Ryan (NSW)
5 Christine Fisher (Vic) 12.794 56.28
Jenny MacPherson (Vic)
* New World Record Time
Event 79: Men MD Tandem F200 Final
Rnd 1 Rnd 2
1 Kieran Modra (WA) 10.749 66.98*
Darren Harry (WA)
2 Anthony Biddle (ACT) 11.106 64.83
Kial Stewart (ACT)
* New World Record Time
Event 81: Men 1 Lap Time Trial Final
Avs.
1 Mark French (Vic) 18.494 (48.66)
2 Lazaros Skoumpas (Gre) 18.618 (48.34)
3 Anthanasios Mantzouranis (Gre) 18.697 (48.14)
4 Damien Keirl (Vic) 18.800 (47.87)
5 Wade Bootes (Qld) 18.840 (47.77)
6 Ryan Bayley (WA) 18.847 (47.75)
7 Lampros Vasilopoulos (Gre) 18.972 (47.44)
8 Ben Kersten (NSW) 18.986 (47.40)
9 Jason Niblett (Vic) 18.992 (47.39)
10 Daniel Beatson (NZl) 19.029 (47.30)
11 Leigh Sunderland (WA) 19.071 (47.19)
12 Jono Hamlin (NZl) 19.188 (46.90)
13 Andrew Taylor (NSW) 19.204 (46.87)
14 Carlo Barendilla (WA) 19.206 (46.86)
15 Sean Dwight (NSW) 19.265 (46.72)
16 Mark Jamieson (TAS) 19.370 (46.46)
17 Ben Rix (Vic) 19.418 (46.35)
18 Alex Bird (ACT) 19.800 (45.45)
19 Clint Johnson (Qld) 19.805 (45.44)
20 Gavin White (SA) 19.972 (45.06)
21 Paul Dimitri (NC) 20.001 (45.00)
22 Adam Coker (NZl) 20.012 (44.97)
23 Stephen Rossendell (TAS) 20.017 (44.96)
24 Richard Bowker (NZl) 20.175 (44.61)
25 Warren Scott (NSW) 20.185 (44.59)
26 Logan Caulfield (NZl) 20.418 (44.08)
27 Nicolas Schneider (NC) 20.544 (43.81)
28 Nick Scaife (SA) 20.587 (43.72)
29 Nick Corcoran (CAN) 20.695 (43.49)
30 Xavier Latoupie (NC) 20.796 (43.28)
31 Matthew Schriek (NZl) 20.982 (42.89)
32 Joseph DePasquale (SA) 21.232 (42.39)
33 Luke Horjus (SA) 21.241 (42.37)
34 Christopher Rouse (WA) 21.287 (42.28)
35 Christopher Wood (SA) 21.828 (41.23)
DSQ Sean Hennessy* (SA)
* Rider 37 Sean Hennessy (SA) disqualified for two false starts
Evening session
Event 83: Men Team Sprint Qualify
Fastest 2 race for gold, 3rd & 4th for bronze
1 Gre 46.973
2 Qld 47.024
3 NSW 47.240
4 Vic 47.249
5 WA 48.050
6 NZl 50.316
7 NCl 51.264
Event 84: Men U19 Team Sprint Qualify
Fastest 2 race for gold, 3rd & 4th for bronze
1 Vic 48.434
2 NSW 48.749
3 Qld 50.376
4 NZl 50.889
5 SA 51.132
6 WA 51.776
Event 85: Women Sprint Final
Bronze Medal Race
Rnd 1 Rnd 2 Rnd 3
3 Anna Meares (Qld) TBC 12.734
4 Elizabeth Williams (NZl)
Gold Medal Race
1 Kerrie Meares (Qld) 12.786 12.146
2 Rosealee Hubbard (SA)
Event 86: Women MD Tandem Sprint Final
Rnd 1 Rnd 2 Rnd 3
Bronze Medal Race
3 Lyn Lepore (WA) 13.838 TBC
Kerry Cohen (WA)
4 Felicity Johnson (SA) 13.633
Toireasa Ryan (NSW)
Gold Medal Race
1 Janelle Lindsay (NSW) 12.614 13.409
Lindy Hou (NSW)
2 Janet Shaw (WA)
Leeanne Manderson (WA)
Event 87: Men MD Tandem Sprint Final
Rnd 1 Rnd 2 Rnd 3
Gold Medal Race
1 Kieran Modra (SA) 11.323 TBC
Darren Harry (WA)
2 Anthony Biddle (ACT) 11.233
Kial Stewart (ACT)
Event 91: Men Team Sprint Final
Bronze medal
1 NSW 46.953
2 Vic 47.226
Gold & Silver medals
1 Gre 46.849
2 Qld 47.090
Event 95: Men U19 Team Sprint Final
Bronze medal
1 Qld 50.230
2 NZl
Gold & Silver medals
1 Vic 47.903
2 NSW 48.842
Event 96: Women U19 20km Points Race
1 R Braithwaite (SA) 18 pts
2 K Nichols (NSW) 12
3 A Kirk (WA) 10
4 A Eppinger (Vic) 9
5 P Walker (NZl) 6
Event 97: Men 15km Scratch Race Final
1 Wade Cosgrove (Qld)
2 Grant Irwin (Qld)
3 Darren Young (Tas)
Event 98: Women 25km Points Race
1 R Gilmore (NSW) 30 pts
2 L Yaxley (Tas) 17
3 K Cohen (Vic) 12
4 C Sell (NZl) 12
5 A Rhodes (SA) 10
