Conor Leahy wins individual pursuit national title five weeks after breaking collarbone

WAIS cycling graduate Conor Leahy has bounced back from a broken collarbone to defend his national title in the 4km individual pursuit.

The 21-year-old claimed the 2020 crown in December, after the Championships had been postponed from April.

In qualifying he topped the standings with a time of 4mins 14.648secs, nearly a second clear of his closest rival.

The final saw a close battle with Leahy going out hard and setting a solid tempo. Queensland local James Moriarty came home strongly, though Leahy’s experience was too much and saw him clock a quicker time of 4mins 14.430secs in the final.

“I had a bit of a faster schedule in mind, but the legs weren’t quite there. I crashed five weeks ago and broke my collarbone… to come here and win that race, yeah, I’m pretty happy,” said Leahy.

“I went out really hot maybe expecting a bit more than I had in the legs but to hold off in the end feels pretty special.”

In his first year in the elite category rising star Oliver Bleddyn impressive finishing fourth going under the important 4:20 barrier in his first attempt at the longer 4km distance.