Southland's Tom Sexton tops IP qualifying at cycling nationals

The record-breaking season for Olympian Bryony Botha continued on day three of Cycling New Zealand’s Track National Championships in Cambridge.

Botha broke her own national record in the 3000m individual pursuit, taking nearly three seconds off the mark she set last month. The Auckland rider clocked 3:21.506 to top qualifiers, with an average speed of nearly 54kph, and is looking to dip under the 3:20 mark in the final.

That would put her in esteemed company with world record holder Chloe Dygert and world champion Lisa Brennauer who lead the way among the riders who have gone under the 3:20 mark.

“It feels good. I knew when I set the record the first time that I still have more in me on that last lap. So I knew that I could definitely go faster this time,” said Botha.

“I would like to go faster again in the final. My father said he would buy me a Macbook Air if I go under 3:20, so it would be good to go one and a half seconds faster.”

She takes on Canterbury’s Samantha Donnelly in the final.

Fellow high performance squad rider Tom Sexton (Southland) topped the elite men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualifying in 4:12.021 and will meet Keegan Hornblow (Tasman) in the final.

Caption: Southland’s Tom Sexton. Photo: Cullen Browne/CyclingNZ

In Under-19 action Kyle Aitken (Waikato BOP) went fastest in the 3000m individual pursuit qualifying in 3:17.809 and will take on Auckland’s Joel Douglas (3:18.190) for gold tomorrow.

Canterbury’s Amelia Sykes continued to shine, fastest in the under-19 women’s qualifying over 2000m in 2:22.093 and will meet rival Seana Gray (Waikato BOP – 2:27.151) for the gold medal.

Nicole Murray continued to impress in Para-cycling action, claiming the C1-5 500m time trial in 38.376 to average 46kph, while Southland’s Connor Douglas topped in the men’s C1-5 1000m time trial in 1:08.253, recording the same time as Waikato BOP’s impressive Devon Briggs.

In age group action Auckland’s Jodie Blackwood was only third fastest in qualifying in the Under-17 sprint but showed her prowess in match-racing to claim the sprint gold medal after beating top qualifier Meghan Baker (Canterbury) in two straight rides in the final. Baker topped qualifiers in 11.993s with only 0.25s covering the top three riders.

Waikato BOP’s Caoilinn Gray (Waikato BOP) won the under-17 Points race with 12 points after placing third in the final sprint, ahead of Southland’s Caitlin Kelly who scored all 10 points winning the final double-points sprint.

Auckland’s Lucas Bhimy won the under-17 boys Points race with 17 points, after claiming the final double points print.

In Under-15 action, the unbeaten Canterbury rider Shaylah Sayers claimed the Derby race while Auckland’s David Kwon prevailed in the boys.

The championships, which are live streamed on Sky Sport Next, finish on Saturday.

Details and results: www.tracknationals.nz