Bronze Medal for Aussie Team Pursuit Squad

The Australian women’s team pursuit featuring WAIS athletes Melissa Hoskins and Bella King has won a bronze medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Mexico.

The quartet of Hoskins, King, Amy Cure (TAS) and Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW)qualified third fastest in an Australian record time of 423.820secs to set up a bronze medal ride against the USA.

With Canberra’s Rebecca Wiasakreplacing an ill Ankudinoff in the final, the team got off to a great start to lead after the first kilometre, with the Americans bouncing back to lead after the second and third time checks. However the Australians rallied to take the win and eclipse their Australian record (4:22.533).

“We went out there with a time in mind that we wanted to hit this weekend, so it was really good to achieve that,” said Cure. “We have been over here for three weeks already and we have been training really well together during this trip, we have learned so much and have now achieved one of the best team pursuits we’ve ever done.

“The Brits have proven today we still have a bit to go, but we are chasing those steps,” Cure added.

Great Britain’s Joanna Rowsell, Danielle King, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald set two world records in two rides, with their gold medal final time of 4mins 16.552secs far too good for Canada (4:23.172).

Bella King also contested the women’s omnium in Mexico, ending the six event program in fifth place. King’s second place effort in the points race was her best return from the program, but she showed a solid consistency to also record a further four top five results. Gold went to reigning world champion Sarah Hammer.

-CyclingAustralia