Sunderland Fights Back to Claim Victory

One week after being hit by a car, dual reigning Commonwealth Games champion Scott Sunderland claimed gold at the Subaru Track National Championships.

The 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games champion and the Australian record holder in the one kilometre time trial, Scott Sunderland (WA/Budget Forklifts) clocked a time of 1:02.359 to clinch his maiden kilo national title.

“To finally get a national title is a great feeling after setting the Australian record [in Mexico] and after winning two Commonwealth Games,” said Sunderland, who was hit by a car last Wednesday while training, but despite potential cracked ribs and severe swelling on his leg travelled to Melbourne for the Championships.

“I’ve had a big cork to my right thigh and it was swollen like a water balloon. Up through my ribs I’ve got a lot of bruising and a potential crack,” said Sunderland who made the decision to ride the event earlier on Wednesday.

“Once I was on the starting gate I was in the zone and it was game on. The initial pain was there but once you’re in the final, it’s going to hurt regardless,” said Sunderland who becomes the seventh winner of the event in seven years.

Wollongong’s Scott Law (Avanti/NSW) claimed silver, a narrow 0.25 of a second off the pace of Sunderland, stopping the clock in 1:02.609.

Nicholas Yallouris (NSW / 1:03.294) rounded out the podium.

Article by Cycling Australia.

For full story and video footage of Sunderland’s race, click here.