Welsford Earns Omnium Gold in Cali
Western Australian track cyclist Sam Welsford has won omnium gold at the weekend Cali World Cup in Colombia as he sharpens preparations for the up-coming Australian Track Championships in Brisbane.
In his first major hit-out for 2017, Welsford was a class above in the new-look four race omnium format, with the 2016 World Champion and Olympic silver medallist accruing 128 points to finish ahead of Belgian Lindsay De Vylder (107) and Denmark’s Casper Von Folsach (104).
Cycling’s governing world body – the UCI – introduced changes to the omnium competition in October of last year, reducing the two-day six race format, to a more compact four event schedule contested over one day of competition.
The restructure saw timed events removed, with a heavier emphasis placed on endurance based bunch racing.
In Colombia, Welsford was dominant across the new four race format and started his campaign by winning the scratch race after being one of four riders to lap the field during the 40 lap race.
The scratch race within omnium competition, awards riders points, based on the order in which they complete the race – with Welsford earning the maximum 40 points for being the first athlete across the finish line at the completion of the 40th lap.
A fourth place ranking in the following tempo race consolidated Welsford’s standing with the 21 year-old adding an extra 34 points to his tally.
The tempo race awards points won in sprints, which are contested every lap after the completion of the first five. Points are also awarded to any riders who successfully gain a lap over fellow competitors. Competitors who are lapped over the course of the tempo race are required to leave the track.
Welsford stamped his class during the third event elimination race – again taking line honours and earning maximum points to give him a convincing points total heading into the final event.
The elimination race sees the last placed rider exit competition at the completion of each lap, until only two riders remain, at which point a sprint to the line takes place to determine the winner.
Welsford rode a tactically brilliant elimination race to stay safe in the bunch before launching a devastating turn of pace to out-sprint Russia’s Viktor Mankov and claim the 40 points at the culmination.
Having established a safe lead, Welsford was able to pick-off points in the closing points race and mark his nearest competitors’ moves.
The points race in omnium format, is a 100 lap, 25km race, which sees riders sprint for points on every tenth lap. Points are available throughout, for any rider whom successfully laps the field.
Welsford picked up points in four of the 10 sprints and completed the race in 11th place to claim the overall gold medal in a gruelling day of racing.