Durbridge and Kent Win Medals in Cape Town

The Western Australian Institute of Sport’s up and coming track cyclists have produced a fine display in Cape Town, South Africa picking up medals in the 2008 Junior Track Cycling World Championships.

Luke Durbridge claimed gold as part of the men’s team pursuit, who recorded a third straight win in the event after defeating Russia by over two seconds. Durbridge teamed up with fellow Australians Luke Davison, Rohan Dennis and Thomas Palmer to take out the 4km event.

Durbridge also competed in the individual pursuit narrowly missing out on a medal in finishing fourth.

WAIS cycling Coach, Darryl Benson said the results were good for Durbridge.

“It’s a good result. He’s riding against older boys in the last year of juniors so to be close to a medal in the IP and collect gold in the team is a positive sign for the future,” said Benson.

Sarah Kent also starred on the track, winning silver in the women’s individual pursuit. It was the second year in a row Kent had medaled in the event, also claiming silver in 2007. Kent finished a close second behind fellow Australian track cyclist, Ashlee Ankudinoff.

In other cycling news, Cameron Meyer has put a scare through the Australian cycling team for the Beijing Games after he came off his bike, dislocating his shoulder in Europe. The injury is not thought to be serious and he is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the Olympics, with Meyer travelling overseas this week to continue his final Beijing preparations.

WAIS cyclist, Scott Sunderland is heading to the US for eight weeks of competition on the UCI sprint circuit.