Mission accomplished for the New Zealand cycling team highlighted with victory in the men’s two-rider madison and a strong showing in the women’s omnium on the final day of the UCI Tissot Nations Cup track competition in Hong Kong.
It is the second of three Nations Cup competitions offering ranking points towards qualification for both the UCI Track World Championships and Paris Olympic Games.
The experienced kiwi pairing of Campbell Stewart and Aaron Gate combined to dominate the two-rider madison, over 50kms and 200 laps with a hand-sling between riders to keep one rider always in play.
They were ultra-consistent, scoring points on 17 of the 20 sprints, winning four of them, to finish on 45 points ahead of Spain on 35 edging Japan on countback for second from the 16 starters.
It proved a tight battle with only Japan managing to gain a lap on the field for 20 bonus points.
The kiwi combination had a lead on 23 points at the halfway with Spain scoring points on four of the last six sprints to nab second.
It leaves New Zealand in a share of top ranking with one round remaining.
Meanwhile Bryony Botha finished seventh in the women’s four-discipline omnium competition, finishing 21st in the scratch race, winning the tempo, second in the elimination and 10th in the points race.
Japan’s Yumi Kajihara won on 124 points from compatriot Tsuyaka Uchino on 113, with New Zealand remaining at the sharp end of the overall standings with one event remaining.
Earlier Sam Dakin qualified in 9.983s in the men’s sprint, but was eliminated in the first round, and Shaane Fulton and Rebecca Petch lost out in the repechage in the women’s keirin.
Several New Zealand endurance riders now head to respective professional road teams in Europe.