CYCLING: It was a record setting day as Australia claimed three gold medals on the third day of competition at the 2016 Oceania Track Championships in Invercargill, New Zealand.

Matthew Glaetzer claimed his fourth consecutive title in the sprint, setting the fastest ever flying 200m time on New Zealand soil in the process. Sam Welsford dominated to claim omnium gold and up and coming sprinter Tahlay Christie took gold in the under 19 sprint, her third gold of the championships.

Sprint

Matthew Glaetzer already the holder of the second and third fastest times for the flying 200m in history, again put his name in the record books. His time of 9.797secs is the fastest time ever recorded on New Zealand soil. 

Glaetzer breezed through the fist two rounds over Louis Higgison and Ethan Mitchell of New Zealand, before defeating Peter Lewis in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals Glaetzer was too strong for 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion Sam Webster before defeating Edward Dawkins in the final to claim gold.

Pat Constable the only other rider to qualify under 10 seconds in 9.950 also advanced to the semi finals with ease. After Constable took the first heat Edward Dawkins was able to fight back, winning the next two sending Constable to the bronze medal ride.

Constable came close with two strong rides in the race for bronze, but Webster proved too strong as Constable settled for fourth.

After narrowly missing out on advancing to the semi finals Shane Perkins finished fifth winning the 5-8 final, ahead of Mitchell Bullen, Jacob Schmid and Peter Lewis.

Junior World Championship representative Tahlay Christie was the fastest qualifier in the under 19 women's event in 11.746, just faster than Georgia Quick 11.998secs.

Christie continued her smooth run earning a spot in the final defeating Loren King of New Zealand. In the race for gold Christie proved too quick for Junior World Championship team sprint silver medallist Emma Cumming of New Zealand. Georgia Quick claimed bronze.

In the under 19 men's event Kye Bonser qualified second fastest in 10.958secs, one of only two riders under 11 seconds. Before easily moving through the early rounds setting up a semi final berth against Jackson Ogle.

After winning the first heat in the semi final Bonser lost the second before a convincing win in the third to make it through to the race for gold. Bonser was forced to settle for silver however, behind fastest qualifier Bradly Knipe of New Zealand. Charles Hofman earned the bronze medal.

Omnium

Sam Welsford started the second day where he left off winning the 1km time trial in 1min 2.718secs, and flying lap 13.008secs to build a 14-point advantage ahead of the points race.

Despite a strong challenge from New Zealand's former world champion Aaron Gate throughout the race, Welsford proved the strongest. Picking up points in ten of the sixteen sprints as well as taking a lap, claiming gold on 245 points to Gate's 224 with bronze to Nick Kergozou (New Zealand) 205.

"It means a lot to me as it is my first senior omnium win," said Welsford. "I'm pretty happy to take it out against some great riders.

"I had some good times in my weaker events so I was extremely happy," added Welsford who won four of six events over the two days.

"Things are coming along nicely entering this season. I still have things to work on but good to nail out some good times and results, plus I have learnt a lot.

"I have to give big credit to Aaron Gate for racing it all way to the end," said Welsford of the strong competition he faced. "He was flying!"

Alex Porter finished fifth, Stephen Hall sixth and Jackson Law seventh.

Georgia Baker came out flying off the back of her individual pursuit success on Friday, finishing second in the scratch race. Baker followed up by taking victory in the 3km IP in 3mins 39.342secs and the elimination race. After three of six events Baker leads the competition on 118 points, a 12-point advantage over Lauren Ellis (New Zealand). Elissa Wundersitz is fourth, eight points off the podium, while Lauren Perry is eighth.

In the women's under 19 event Chloe Heffernan sits second on 110, eight points off the lead after the first three events. Laura Jones andChelsea Oaten sit sixth and seventh on 94 and 90 points respectively.

Under 19 Men's Team Pursuit

New Zealand's Thomas Sexton, Connor Brown, Hugo Jones and Josh Scott proved too strong for Ryan Schilt, Tom Bolton, Nick Edwardsand Josh Toovey. New Zealand set out very quickly managing to catch the Australian team with three laps to go to claim gold. Team from Cycling Southland earned bronze.

Cycling Australia