Haines Impresses on Junior Worlds Debut
WAIS cyclist Jade Haines has won the women’s Maddison exhibition race that closed out competition at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Switzerland over the weekend.
The race victory rounded out a successful debut for Haines, who picked up a silver medal in the final of the individual pursuit, whilst she was also a member of the Australian women’s team pursuit squad that finished seventh.
Haines partnered Victorian, Ruby Roseman-Gannon with the pair putting on a brilliant display to dominate the Maddison as they stormed to victory, picking up points at will, across the sprint laps.
“I couldn’t be happier to share the win with Jade and finish junior worlds on a high,” said Roseman-Gannon. “It’s so exciting that they have finally introduced the Madison into the women’s category at world level and I hope they continue to include it.”
Haines and Roseman-Gannon took the lead after the second sprint and were consistently at the front, picking up regular points to claim victory on 21, ahead of Great Britain on 13 and Australians Macdonald and Clonan on 10.
“We came into the event with good legs – Jade rode a ripper pursuit yesterday and I was feeling really good,” continued the Victorian.
“After a few nerve racking changes we got into a good groove and took the lead, Jade winning the second and third sprints.
“We managed to win the final sprint and sealed the deal for Australia. Unfortunately it was an exhibition race so we were not crowned world champions, however we were absolutely ecstatic to win.”
Haines at 17 years of age is earning a reputation as one of the country’s finest young female talents, with her Maddison success following on from a silver medal ride in the individual pursuit.
She set a personal best time in qualifying for the pursuit final, where she faced Russian Maria Novolodskaya. Despite a fast start, Haines was overtaken in the gold medal ride off, but was absolutely delighted with her effort on debut.
“Getting second at my first Junior Champs is unbelievable, such a buzz to get here let alone be on the podium,” she said.
“After talking with my coach the plan was to start strong but build and come home with a big kick, because the Russian had started to die at the end of her qual,” Haines explained. “Unfortunately my kick wasn’t a match for hers but I am hungry for that gold medal next year.”
A fast start in the race for gold saw Haines take an early advantage on Novolodskaya. The Russian, who qualified less than a second faster was able to close the advantage in the second half of the race to take gold in 2mins 23.745secs to Haines’ 2mins 25.859secs.
In qualifying, Haines shot out of the start gate in the 11th of 19 heats, covering 10 laps of the track in 2mins 23.213secs. The West Australian’s time stood at the top of the leader board until the final heat, when Novolodskaya stopped the clock in 2mins 22.410secs.
Bronze went to Ellesse Andrews (NZL-2:22.695). Ruby Roseman-Gannon (VIC) finished ninth with a time of 2mins 26.392secs.
WAIS cyclist Tahlay Christie exited the women’s sprint competition in the repechage phase, having lost her quarter-final ride against Great Britain’s Sophie Capewell.
Photo: © Guy Swarbrick