Vantage CNZ Team Sprinters add shine to Wellington Carnival

Road, Track & Cyclocross

The Vantage Cycling New Zealand sprint team added shine to the track carnival on the resurfaced Wellington Velodrome.

The squad competed at the famed Laykold Cup carnival on the wonderfully refurbished velodrome at Hataitai, where squad rider Jordan Castle claimed the 10km scratch race to add his name to a rich list of previous winners including Olympic medalist Gary Anderson and four-time Commonwealth Games medalist Graeme Miller.

The Laykold Cup dates back to 1928 and remains the most coveted prize in Wellington track cycling along with the Poneke Plate for women and Stayers Cup for Masters Men.

Fellow Cycling New Zealand elite sprinter Shaane Fulton, from Nelson, claimed the Poneke Plate 20-lap women’s scratch races from teammates Olivia King and Ellesse Andrews.

The squad, after an extended time based at Cambridge, enjoyed the chance to compete at the venue, with Andrews setting a new track record of 11.84s for the flying 200m with teammate Callum Saunders setting a new mark of 10.52s for the men, just 0.06s ahead of teammate Sam Webster.

Webster then joined with Ethan Mitchell and Sam Dakin to set a record of 1.0384 for the 1000m team sprint.

Port Nicholson Poneke Cycling Club member Nick Warren said the club was thrilled to host the Cycling New Zealand sprint team with the club receiving countless positive messages and comments.

“The juniors we had there were fizzing and us grown-up fans loved talking with the riders and staff. Your riders are to be commended for being excellent ambassadors for the Cycling New Zealand brand and the sport of track cycling.

“From signing autographs to jumping in with the junior derby races, they represented themselves brilliantly.”

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