Sam Welsford takes two National Road Series wins in Victoria

Olympic silver medallist Sam Welsford returned to national level racing last week picking up two wins and top 10 on every stage on route to third place overall at the Tour of the Great South Coast.

The eight-stage, six-day race held along South Australia and Victoria’s coastline provided the perfect opportunity for Welsford and his track teammates to return to competition following a block in Europe. It was a strong start from Welsford, a dual reigning world champion on the track as he cruised to victory on the opening stage.

“This was a perfect ride by the boys. This is our post-Europe tour and we have put into action a few things that we learned from the European trip,” Welsford said. “We stayed calm throughout and went for it on the final lap. Kel [O’Brien] led the way for the first half and then Cam [Scott] came from his wheel until the last corner and then I did the rest. It all worked out perfectly.”

His trademark speed served him well on the following stages with a third place followed a second win to consolidate the overall lead after three stages. Welsford followed that up with three second place finishes on the next three stages further cementing his status at the top of the standings.

The race was turned upside down on the penultimate stage with a seven rider group including Welsford’s teammate Kelland O’Brien escaping to contest the stage win, pushing Welsford down to third overall having again found the top ten in ninth. Another podium on the final stage sealed a successful tour and earned him the criterium classification in a race won by teammate O’Brien.

Adelaide based Welsford now turns his attention to the track season, starting with the Oceania Championships in Invercargill, New Zealand in October.

In other cycling news West Australian Mountain Bike siblings Reece and Sarah Tucknott competed at the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne, Canada. In the under 23 women’s category Sarah finished in 41st position with the title taken out by Switzerland’s Sina Frei. Reece in the elite men’s finished 55th as Nino Schurter (Switzerland) defended his title.

Photo Cycling Australia / Jean-Pierre Ronco