Australia's team pursuiters experienced mixed fortunes on day one of the Commonwealth Games track cycling. The women successfully defended their title, while the men suffered a surprise loss to England in the Ashes final.
Women's team pursuit: Gold and a Games record
The Australian women's quartet of Georgia Baker, Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, Claudia Marcks, and Alyssa Polites comfortably beat New Zealand in the final, clocking 4:10.658 to New Zealand's 4:12.775. This victory also broke their own Commonwealth Games record.
Women's coach Ash Ankudinoff, a former team pursuit world champion, praised the team: Bloody awesome – I couldn't ask for much more. We came in here wanting to win gold, but it’s easier said than done. We made up a good plan and the girls executed it to an absolute 'T'.
Men's team pursuit: England takes gold
The Australian men's team, consisting of Olympic champions Oliver Bleddyn and Conor Leahy alongside Blake Agnoletto and James Moriarty, qualified fastest but lost to England in the final. England pulled away late and won in 3:47.092, a Games record, while Australia finished in 3:48.223.
This result gave England some revenge for the Paris Olympics, where Australia beat Great Britain for the gold medal.
Other events: Medals and strong performances
Kane Perris and his pilot Luke Zaccaria won bronze in the men's tandem B 1km time trial. In the women's tandem B sprint, para-sport veteran Jess Gallagher, with Jacqueline Mengler-Mohr piloting, took silver behind New Zealand.
Tara Neyland posted the quickest time in the C4-C5 3000m individual pursuit, winning gold. Australia also qualified fastest in the men's team sprint and will race for bronze in the women's team sprint after posting the fourth-fastest time.
Ankudinoff highlighted Wilson-Haffenden's potential: She's an incredible asset to the team. I'm excited for what she can do, not only in two years but maybe towards Brisbane.
