WAIS Athletes Return Medal Performances at Oceania Champs
WAIS cycling athletes competing at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand have produced a strong campaign at both U19 and senior level.
Tahlay Christie won three gold medals across the three days of racing, whilst Sam Welsford was highly impressive in the men’s omnium, defeating former world champion Aaron Gate to claim his first title at senior level.
“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!”
Welsford also picked up a silver medal in the men’s madison, competing with Jackson Law and was second in the opening day’s scratch race.
Fellow WAIS athlete Elissa Wundersitz won a bronze medal in the women’s omnium, behind Georgia Baker and Chloe Heffernan. Wundersitz was particularly strong in the points race, earning a solo lap of the field.
Wundersitz also earned a silver medal as part of a composite team pursuit squad and was fourth in the scratch race.
Junior track star Tahlay Christie rounded out a triple gold medal winning campaign with a win in the U19 women’s sprint. Having recently competed for Australia at the junior world championships in Astana, Christie showed she’d maintained her appetite for competition.
“It felt really good to win it after just coming back from my Junior Worlds campaign, said Christie.
“It was awesome to get back into racing with my teammates from WAIS, and to come away with a win after getting silver last year was great.
“I’m definitely happy, I’ve learnt a lot throughout the year, both on and off the track, added Christie, after claiming three gold and one silver from four events. “I’ve been so happy seeing how much I have improved from last year and I’m excited to continue improving leading into Nationals next year.”
Christie indicated she was happy to get straight back into racing. “I was able to refocus and prepare really quickly having just raced a big event, and was perfectly fine with getting straight back into training and competition,” she said.
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.
Bonser enjoyed a terrific campaign, also claiming silver in the team sprint and kilo, whilst earning bronze in the keirin.
Scott Sunderland finished second as part of a composite men’s team pursuit, Matt Richardson contested well in the men’s U19 sprint, finishing fifth, whilst Rebecca Stevenson gained valuable experience racing against the region’s best sprint cyclists in the time trial, keirin, and sprint events.
– with Cycling Aus