TRACK CYCLING

Roulston returns to winner's circle at Oceania Championships

By Cycling New Zealand


Hayden Roulston on the way to winning the 4000m individual pursuit at the Oceania track championships at Invercargill's SIT Zero Fees Velodrome. Credit: Eugene Bonthuys

Hayden Roulston has made an emphatic statement with a second gold medal at the Oceania championship at Invercargill’s SIT Zero Fees Velodrome on Saturday.

Roulston, representing New Zealand on the boards for the first time since the 2008 Olympics, added the individual pursuit title to the team pursuit gold he won on the opening night of the four-day championship.

Looking to end his cycling career with gold at the Rio Olympics, Roulston was happy with his results after a couple of tough weeks of preparation.

“Last night you saw I’ve still got a lot of work to do and tonight I won based on experience,” Roulston said.
“I was not good tonight, I’m still struggling with that lactate clearance. It’s going to take a long time to come back, but to walk away from here with two golds and to have that monkey off my back is a good sign.”

New Zealand men’s endurance coach Tim Carswell was also pleased with Roulston’s progress.

“We know that he’s definitely still got everything he needs physically to be a fantastic track rider and he’s come out and proved that over the last couple of days,” Carswell said.

“He’s still got work to do, but that’s the great thing. He’s made a great first step and it’s exciting to see where it will go over the next few months.

“We’ve got a pretty good idea of where he’ll fit in across the track season, in training camps and future competitions. Obviously the goal is to allow him the opportunity to continue that progression towards the world champs in February.”

After leading qualification by more than a second from Rohan Wight during the morning session with a 4:25.185, Roulston managed to hold off a determined finish from the Australian to win the final in 4:27.552.

Australian Alex Morgan overtook New Zealander Luke Mudgway to claim bronze.

Earlier in the night, Invercargill’s Bradley Knipe proved too strong in the under 19 men’s 1000m time trial, but it was Australia that claimed the gold in both the under 19 and elite women’s individual pursuit.
Georgia Baker headed off her Australian compatriot Macey Stewart by more than 7sec for the elite women’s gold.

Australia's Stephanie Morton produced a classy ride to win the elite women's keirin with Natasha Hansen claiming silver and Anna Meares bronze.

Australian Sam Welsford (114 points) leads the men’s omnium standings after three events from 2013 world champion Aaron Gate (108) and Australia’s Jackson Law (106).

Welsford won the 15km scratch and elimination race with Gate winning the individual pursuit.
 
 
Day two results:
 
U19 men’s 1000m time trial: Bradley Knipe (NZ) 1:05.156 1; Kye Bonser (Aus) 1:06.156 2; Kai Chapman (Aus) 1:06.678 3.
U19 women’s 2000m individual pursuit: Chloe Heffernan (Aus) 2:34.045 1; Nicole Shields (NZ) 2:36.701 2; Laura Jones (Aus) 2:36.644 3.
Elite women’s 3000m individual pursuit: Georgia Baker (Aus) 3:42.188 1; Macey Stewart (Aus) 3:49.467 2; Hannah van Kampen (NZ) 3:48.406 3.
Elite men’s 4000m individual pursuit: Hayden Roulston (NZ) 4:27.552 1; Rohan Wight (Aus) 4:27.853 2; Alex Morgan (Aus) 4:25.059 3.
Elite women’s keirin: Stephanie Morton (Aus) 1; Natasha Hansen (NZ) 2; Anna Meares (Aus) 3.
U19 women’s keirin: Tahlay Christie (Aus) 1; Emma Cumming (NZ) 2; Georgia Quick (Aus) 3.
U19 men’s omnium: Ryan Schilt (Aus) 196 points 1; Tom Sexton (NZ) 191 2; Nick Edwards (Aus) 178 3.
U19 men’s 10km scratch race: Carne Groube (NZ) 1; Ryan Schilt (Aus) 2; Tom Bolton (Aus) 3.