WAIS Cyclists Compete at Manchester World Cup

Published On: 24 February 2011

Scott Sunderland

WAIS cyclists have rounded out the 2010-11 UCI Track World Cup season in Manchester with some impressive results.

WAIS scholarship holders Michael Freiberg, Bella King, Mel Hoskins and Scott Sunderland all travelled and competed in the UK, with Freiberg and Hoskins helping qualify world championship spots in the omnium for Australia.

Freiberg continued to show a liking for the iron man event of track cycling, by returning some consistent performances in the men’s omnium. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist earned top ten finishes in the points race (6th), elimination race (6th), Individual Pursuit (2nd), Scratch Race (7th) and time-trial (7th) to finish fifth overall behind New Zealander Shane Archbald (15pts), Chinese cyclist Hosung Cho (31pts) and Italian Elia Viviani (36pts).

Despite only riding in two legs of the UCI track world cup, Freiberg finished seventh in the overall world cup standings.

Mel Hoskins overcame a sluggish first day of competition in the women’s omnium to roar back into contention on day two, with impressive rides in the individual pursuit – where she set a new personal best – taking fourth position and third in the scratch race. Hoskins claimed eighth place overall and joined Freiberg in qualifying Australia a starting position in the omnium at the UCI Track World Championships in the Netherlands.

Hoskins was also a member of the Australian women’s team pursuit line-up alongside fellow WAIS athlete Bella King and Taamanian Amy Cure. The Australian girls rode a solid 3.24mins to take sixth position, which helped Australia claim second ranking for the world cup series behind New Zealand. WAIS-AIS athletes Sarah Kent and Josie Tomic also featured for Australia earlier in the world cup series.

Scott Sunderland competed in the men’s sprint in Manchester, finishing ninth overall. Sunderland was edged out in the round of eight, but went on to dominate to B Finals phase winning all remaining rounds to ensure he heads into national championships in good form.

Despite not competing in the men’s keirin in Manchester, Sunderland earned fourth ranking in the keirin world cup rankings following some impressive rides earlier in the series.