Commonwealth Games: Golden start for Aussies on track

Australia got off to a golden start on the velodrome, sweeping across all three medal events at the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday.

Anna Meares won the women’s 500m TT, Scott Sunderland roared to gold in the men’s kilo and Jack Bobridge fended off Jesse Sergent to win the Individual Pursuit, with Australia going home with five of nine medals awarded on the boards Tuesday.

With four more gold medals up for grabs Wednesday, Australia is hoping to dominate the Games.

“It would be fantastic to medal in every event here. We have a strong and motivated team,” said Paul Brosnan, high performance manager for the Australian cycling team. “We have a very young, but very talented group of athletes here. At the end of the day, all they want to do it win.”

Sunderland, Meares and Bobridge all set new Commonwealth Games records in their respective events.

The new Indira Gandhi velodrome is fast, and officials listened to riders’ comments and turned down the air conditioning to allow for more optimum racing conditions.

“The track is very nice to ride but it is a tough one. You have to generate your own speed. It’s smooth and grippy,” Meares said. “Today it’s a lot warmer than in training after we asked for the air conditioning to be turned down and that has improved the track speed.”

The early success bodes well for Australia’s effort to rebuild its track program following a disappointing Olympic Games outing in Beijing. Meares was Australia’s lone medallist – with silver in the sprint – while arch-rival Great Britain came home with seven of 10 gold medals contested.

Leading the rebuilding effort are young riders like Sunderland and Bobridge. Both are in their early 20s and getting their first taste of international competition at the Commonwealth Games that will help build confidence going into London 2012.

“With three Australian golds today, we are showing that Australia is ready to go right through to the Olympics in London in 2012,” Bobridge said. “We could not be any happier. It is a fantastic start and will send our team spirit soaring. It was an awesome performance by our guys today.”

Racing action continues Wednesday with Keirin, men’s and women’s points races and the women’s team sprint.

FILED UNDER: News / Track TAGS: Commonwealth Games