Meyer Makes Triumphant Track Return
Cameron Meyer’s Track World Cup return didn’t disappoint as he put in a commanding display to claim points race gold on the second day in Glasgow before adding Madison silver with partner Callum Scotson on the final day of competition.
The West Australian stamped his class over the points race field, in his first effort back since the 2012 World Championships in Melbourne, dominating from the second sprint, never looking back.
He claimed victory on 81 points, well clear of the chasing pack, leaving the six-time World Champion to reflect on a successful return to international competition.
“I’m really happy to be back racing at an international level and to take my first win back makes it even better,” Meyer said.
With 10 points collected from the second and third sprints, Meyer launched a trademark attack to gain a lap alongside Mark Stewart (Great Britain), which added 20 points to his total, placing him in firm control.
Attempts by others to take a lap were quickly marked by Meyer and he again stole a lap just after the half way point as he picked up five points in the sixth sprint en route to move to 55 points.
With less than 20 laps remaining Meyer was part of a group that earned a lap, Meyer’s third, providing the 28 year-old with an unassailable advantage.
Fresh from points race gold on Saturday, Meyer partnered with reigning Australian Champion Scotson to claim silver in the 120 lap Madison race on Sunday afternoon.
“It does feel really good to come away with the silver. Especially with the new format where to be in the mix, you have to be one of the strongest teams,” Scotson said. “It’s my best result in a Madison at international level, so I can’t complain.”
After claiming second in the opening sprint, the pair waited patiently for the moment to strike as they won the fourth of 12 sprints after a bold move by Meyer put them in the overall lead.
Closely monitoring the race, the experience of two time Madison world champion Meyer was evident as other teams started to fade, Australia won the seventh sprint before adding points in the following four sprints.
A lap gain by Spain in the closing 30 laps temporarily put the pair on the back foot, but in a dramatic final 10 laps, Meyer and Scotson again regained the lap and the lead by three points.
With double points on offer on the final sprint it went down to the wire with Spain managing to grab third place and four points to snatch gold from Meyer and Scotson by a single point. Belgium rounded out the podium with the bronze medal.
“We got good points early and moved into the lead before the crunch time came. Then at the vital points of the race when it was every team for themselves, Spain just had a little bit more legs,” explained Scotson.
“They distanced us, got the lap earlier and got a vital four points in the last double points sprint.
“It certainly is disappointing,” Scotson added of missing gold by one point. “To come so close is hard, but I feel Spain deserved the win.
“I also improved a lot technically and tactically out there from the experience I’ve gained from pairing with Cam recently.
“I know now that I just need to get a bit stronger to finish off strong in the back end of the race. All in all it was a good World Cup.”
-CyclingAus