Sunderland Wins UCI Track Silver

Published On: 15 December 2008

Scott Sunderland has been in great form in the UCI Track Series

WAIS cyclist Scott Sunderland has helped his Team Toshiba outfit to the top of the team sprint standings after a second place finish in the third round of the UCI Track World Cup in Cali, Columbia.

Sunderland competed over the weekend with fellow Australians Dan Ellis and Jason Niblett with Team Toshiba finishing narrowly behind Germany to maintain a two-point lead atop the sprint standings.

Germany clocked a race time of 44.605secs for the win in the difficult altitude conditions of Columbia, whilst Team Toshiba managed 45.072secs for the silver medal, which they added to the earlier sprint win in the Melbourne leg of the UCI Championships.

In the men’s sprint Sunderland qualified sixth fastest in 10.368sec but was unable to match 2008 World Championship and Olympic Games bronze medallist Mickael Bourgain (FRA – Cofidis) in the quarter finals. Sunderland made sure he scored the maximum points he could though with a win in the ride off for fifth to eighth places.

WAIS Head Cycling Coach Darryl Benson was glowing in his praise for Sunderland and believes the 20 year-old will take away a lot of confidence from the South American leg.

“The silver medal is very encouraging for Scotty,” said Benson. “It was a difficult trip and to race straight away (after the flight) and at altitude in tricky conditions is a great result for him.”

“I’m sure he will take a lot of heart from Cali and be a better cyclist for the result,” he said.

WAIS cyclists also performed well in Perth during the week with Josie Tomic recording a strong win in the 72km Joondalup Classic Road Race. Tomic finished clear of fellow WAIS rider Sarah Kent who was the best of the rest in second place.

Sarah Kent also claimed victory in the senior State keirin championships whilst young WAIS athlete Holly Williams took out the junior keirin event, earmarking her future potential.

Duane Johansen earned himself the state Individual Pursuit title in the men’s senior race.

Travis Meyer, Michael Freiburg and Luke Durbridge have returned from Adelaide where they attended the national track endurance training camp.