World Championship Silver for Tomic and Hoskins

WAIS-AIS cyclists Josie Tomic and Melissa Hoskins have snared silver medals in the women’s team pursuit at the 2012 Track World Championships in Melbourne.

The Australians clocked a time of 3.17.053 to break the Brit’s world record mark of 3:18.148 set in February. Ten minutes later the British line up reclaimed the limelight with a stunning 3:16.850. That set up a scintillating gold medal final between the two nations.

The Australians began strongly and led for the first two kilometres before their rivals countered with a powerful late surge that saw them draw level with two and a half laps remaining. They then brought it home to lower the world mark by another second with their final time of 3:15.720.

Great Britain’s experience in being able to back up from qualifying made the difference against the Australian trio who had only ridden together three times previously and had never had to line up for a final on the same day as qualifying.

“Twelve months ago we finished the world championships in fourth place after winning the previous year so I was gutted,” said Tomic.

“So to come back, I’m stoked … this is only the second and third times we’ve ridden together, we three,” said Tomic after the final. “To do such quick times, I couldn’t be happier.”

“My goal here was to get on the podium and improve on London and we’ve done that, so we’ve got one step to go and we’ve got a few months hopefully to get there.”

The third Australian rider, South Australian Annette Edmondson said the cheering as they headed into each straight was great motivation.

“I don’t think we’d be doing such fast times if it wasn’t for them,” said the senior world championship debutant.

“(During the final) we didn’t want to step off at all. We just watched our coach and tried to stay where we were and just kept trying to build and build,” she said. “But in the end, the Brits got us on the day and the better team won but we gave it a good shot.”

“We’ll have more practice together, and we’ve also got other girls at home who are pushing us for the spots, so we’re not going to be able to rest on our laurels,” said Tomic predicting both teams will go even faster in London. “Everyone’s just going to be working harder and getting faster so this is just the motivation we needed to be right back up there.”

“If we don’t have that attitude, there’s no point going to the Games,” said Hoskins when asked if the Australians could beat Great Britain for Olympic gold in London.

Canada (3:19.529) defeated New Zealand (3:19.847) in the bronze medal final.

Scratch Race

West Australian Melissa Hoskins added another silver to her week’s tally when she sprinted home in second place in the 10 kilometre women’s scratch race.

“I thought I was out of it with about a lap to go, there was almost a fall on the front straight (and) it’s not very often I get scared in a bunch but that one threw me off a bit,” she explained after the race. “I had to come about four wide in the back straight but I tell you what the crowd is nice and loud tonight.”

The race was hectic from the start with Hoskins lucky to survive the first lap.

“About half a lap after the gun I got put into the fence on the back straight,” she said. “I thought ‘oh come on it’s not going well I almost got put out on the first lap’ but it was a very quick race and credit to all the girls. I think woman’s cycling has come along way.”

Hoskins who rode with the pursuit team to a silver medal on Thursday went into the race as one of the favourites after a solo attack in the same event at the London World Cup netted her the win. But tonight she was well marked.

“I drifted a bit far back and with about three laps to go a move went and I thought ‘oh I’m in a bit of trouble here’, and it got a bit messy which actually suits me so I was like ‘this is good there’s people everywhere’.

“You just have to dodge and pick and choose where you go.”

The Australian Cyclones finished the championship at the top of the medal table, taking a great deal of confidence into the London Olympic Games. From a WAIS perspective, all four athletes competing walked away with world championship medals, highlighting the strength of the Western Australian Institute of Sport cycling program.

Scott Sunderland won gold in the men’s team sprint on the first day of competition, before Josie Tomic and Mel Hoskins claimed silver in the women’s team pursuit. Hoskins added a second silver in the women’s scratch race, before Cameron Meyer won a fifth senior world title in the men’s points race, adding a further bronze with a third place finish alongside Leigh Howard in the madison.

– with Cycling Australia