WA cyclists win five titles at Oceania Track Championships

Published On: 22 October 2019

West Australia’s strong cycling pedigree was on display at the 2020 Oceania Track Championships in Invercargill, New Zealand with five titles and six medals heading back to Perth.

Olympic silver medallist and dual reigning world champion Sam Welsford again confirming his status as the dominate men’s track endurance rider in the world. The 23-year-old claimed gold in the omnium, defending his title from a year ago beating New Zealand’s world champion Campbell Stewart in the process. Welsford then teamed up with Kelland O’Brien as the pair claimed a convincing win in the Madison.

Conor Leahy also picked up two titles. His first came in the team pursuit, where he combined with Lucas Plapp, Godfrey Slattery and Joshua Duffy to reclaim the title over New Zealand. Two days later he lined up in the individual pursuit as the defending champion looking for back to back gold. Having qualified fastest her schorched his way to a second title in a new personal best, beating former world champion Jordan Kerby of New Zealand in the process.

Matthew Richardson picked up a silver medal in the men’s team sprint having graduated from the WAIS program just over a year ago. Combining with Thomas Clarke and Nathan Hart the trio took the challene to a strong New Zealand team, who needed to break their own Oceania Record to win.

In the junior ranks rising star Oliver Bleddyn earned a gold medal in the junior men’s team pursuit.

West Australian Medals
Gold: Sam Welsford (Elite Men’s Omnium)
Gold: Sam Welsford (Elite Men’s Madison)
Gold: Conor Leahy (Elite Men’s Team Pursuit)
Gold: Conor Leahy (Elite Men’s Individual Pursuit)
Gold: Oliver Bleddyn (Junior Men’s Team Pursuit)
Silver: Matthew Richardson (Elite Men’s Team Sprint)