Cycling sprint queen McCaig lifts 10th national title
Ian Chadband |
Alessia McCaig has annexed the women’s keirin crown for the fourth successive year at the Australian track championships to rack up the 10th national title of her burgeoning career.
For the second night running at the Anna Meares Velodrome on Saturday, the 22-year-old Victorian and top men’s sprinter Leigh Hoffman both illustrated why they’re the best in the country, with McCaig completing her third successive national sprint/keirin double.
Bendigo’s McCaig followed up Friday’s sprint win by dictating from the front in the keirin before carving out victory in consummate style.
“I’m stoked, four in a row is crazy,” beamed McCaig, who look set to be a force at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later in the year.
“I broke a PB and didn’t lose a race all week, so I’d say that is a 10-out-of-10 week for me.
“I decided to give it a bit of a crack, the last race of the week, and leave it all out there.”
The 25-year-old South Australian Hoffman also completed the sprint/keirin double, making light of being forced wide on the final lap before storming to national title number eight. “But I’ve got a bit to do to catch up with Alessia,” he smiled.
Rylee McMullen won the women’s scratch race, while Noah Blannin claimed the equivalent men’s title.
Jacqui Mengler-Mohr claimed gold, piloting Jess Gallagher to victory in the mixed tandem team sprint, before watching her daughter Ava Robbins win the U17 national title in the scratch race.
“I’m a very proud mum, I was tired mum straight after racing,” Mengler-Mohr said.
“But I found my voice pretty quickly to cheer her home. It is a special moment and amazing memory in front of a home crowd, it is just incredible. I’m so grateful.”
AAP