Welsford Shines on Return to Track

WA track talent Sam Welsford has made a bold impression in his first competition since the Rio Olympics, claiming gold in the team pursuit and points race on the opening day of the 2017 Oceania Championships in Melbourne.

Welsford won Olympic silver last August in the team pursuit in Brazil, where the 20 year-old made his Games debut.

At the Oceania Championships, he combined with Alex Porter, Rohan Wright and Kelland O’Brien to clock 3:58.800mins and finish clear of New Zealand.

Both Welsford and Porter were sporting their UCI rainbow jerseys – having been part of the Australian team pursuit squad that claimed World Championship gold in London last February.

With the 2017 track cycling season in its infancy, Welsford was impressed by the speed produced by the young Australian team and hoped to carry through that form into up-coming competitions.

“It was surprisingly quick, the boys rode super,” he said. “We had a bit of a close call there in the last couple of laps, but we rode a great time.

“I still have a few more events here this week, and then the Omnium and Madison next week,” Welsford said.

He backed up later in the opening evening session to claim gold in the men’s points race, with a total of 50 points. He won ahead of New Zealander Aaron Gate (41) and Australian Joshua Harrison (38).

There was also encouraging performances from some of WA’s emerging track talent, with sprinters Julian Krohn and Rihana Pezaj involved in medal winning efforts in the U19 sprints.

Krohn, racing with NSW pair Kai Chapman and Thomas Cornish earned gold in 46.173secs ahead of junior NZ team.

Pezaj teamed with Lara Tucker and similarly claimed gold, stopping the clock in 36.274secs.

Further results can be viewed on the Cycling Australia website: http://timedresult.com/oceania-track-championships