Kiwis and Aussies share omnium spoils

New Zealand and Australia shared trifectas in the men’s and women’s omnium events at the UCI Oceania track cycling championships in Cambridge last night.

Racquel Sheath, Rushlee Buchanan and Michaela Drummond, of New Zealand, took the top three places in the women’s four-event omnium and the Australians replied in kind with Josh Harrison, Leigh Howard and Benjamin Harvey sharing the podium in the men’s omnium.

The Kiwi women were on form from the start with the experienced Buchanan showing her nous to win the 7.5km scratch race from Drummond and Sheath.

Sheath was one of three riders to put a lap on the field on her way to winning the 7.5km tempo race where there are points allotted for the winner of every lap.

Queensland’s Kristina Clonan won the elimination race, where the last rider is dropped every two laps. Buchanan was the class of the points race, opening up a big lead mid-race to claim three straight bonuses, with points award every 10 laps. However, Sheath remained handy while Drummond bided her time to finish strongly.

Sheath’s speed gave her the final sprint to cement the win to finish with 158 points overall from Buchanan on 150 and Drummond on 124.

Importantly, it cemented a sport for a New Zealand omnium rider in February’s world championships.

“That is super-exciting for New Zealand and it’s my first Oceania title in omnium so it is super-exciting for me too,” said Sheath.

“I love this format. The bunch races are suited to me. The timed events used to be my downfall in the old format so this format gets me really excited every time I race.”

Harrison set up his win in the men’s omnium by taking out the tempo race. He was aggressive throughout the points race and with Howard and Harvey lapped the field, which led to an Australian podium.