Tomic and Meyer Delight Home Crowd in Perth Track Event
WAIS cycling world champions Josie Tomic and Cameron Meyer headlined the 2009 Perth International Track Cycling Grand Prix on Saturday night at the Midvale SpeedDome in front of 2000 people.
Tomic had the crowd on their feet in the 7.5km women’s scratch race, after producing a measured performance before launching a devastating sprint to the line for victory. Great Britton’s Kate Cullen was second ahead of Dutch track star Ellen Van Dujk. WAIS athletes Mel Hoskins, Jess Allen and Sarah Kent all earned top ten positions.
Cameron Meyer – wearing his world championship rainbow colours in the points race for the first time since victory in Poland last March – showcased his class with a truly dominant performance in the 20km points race, with WAIS athletes Michael Freiburg second and Luke Durbridge third.
WAIS Head cycling coach Darryl Benson said the evening was a fantastic showcase for the sport of cycling in WA.
“It was a fantastic night and the racing really lived up to the expectations,” he said. “There were some great performances by WAIS athletes which was particularly impressive in front of a home crowd.”
Benson said Tomic and Meyer had left no doubt about their qualities after both secured strong wins in competition.
“Josie brought the house down with her win in the scratch race and Cam (Meyer) was so dominant, he rode a tactically superior race to the others,” Benson said.
Olympic and World champion Anna Meares reinforced her status with a strong win in the women’s sprint. Meares eased through the early rounds before unleashing a blitz of speed to defeat Dutch pair Yvonne Hijgenaar in the semi and Willy Kanis in the gold medal round.
Shane Perkins consolidated his reputation as Australia’s top sprinter with a win over WAIS scholarship holder Scott Sunderland. Sunderland was riding despite a family bereavement, and wore a black armband in respect of his grandmother.
Sunderland backed up to claim bronze in the final of the keirin. Perkins again had too much speed for the field, with Jason Niblett taking second.
In the men’s 10km scratch race, Travis Meyer earned a win with a smart tactical race that saw him gain a lap on the field, before holding off in the final dash for the line ahead of fellow WAIS athlete Luke Durbridge and Swiss national team member Loic Perizzolo.
The women’s 15km points race was won by American Theresa Cliff-Ryan on 20 points, eight clear of Dutchwomen Ellen Van Dujk on 12 and Switzerland;s Andrea Wolfer who was a further point back on 11.
Sarah Kent, Josie Tomic, Jess Allen and Isabella King all earned points for WA.
The final of the women’s keirin left the 2000 strong crowd was bated breath after a three way surge required a photo finish to adjudicate. Australian Olympian Kaarle McCulloch won the race, with Willy Kanis second, fractionally ahead of Anna Meares.