TRACK | Kaarle McCulloch completes set of medals

Kaarle McCulloch celebrates a complete set of medals. Image: Casey Gibson

The stellar form of Kaarle McCulloch continued with the Sydney cyclist completing a set of medals,  winning a surprise silver in the keirin final.
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McCulloch added to her team sprint gold and time trial bronze with a storming ride to finish behind Hong Kong’s Wai Sze Lee who rode to her second gold medal of the Championships.  

“With the new format of the keirins, I was unsure how I would handle it with more rides, but I got better with my execution as my rides went on. In the final, I had to get better at finding the gaps, and I ended up getting Lee’s wheel,” said McCulloch.

“I can’t quite believe this right now, the keirin is my last focus so it is nice to know that I can actually do it and encouraging as we head towards Tokyo.

“This is ten years on from my first world title in Poland, I am still improving, I am setting personal bests. I love the environment here at Cycling Australia, working with Steph is amazing, we have a good partnership going on.  

“We have a common dream heading towards Tokyo and hopefully we can sign seal and deliver that dream.”  

Stephanie Morton, who looked in ominous form after storming to three straight wins in the heat, quarterfinals and semifinals, finished in fourth. The result capped a strong week from the South Australian who claimed sprint gold (with McCulloch) and a third straight World Championships sprint silver medal.

MEN'S SPRINT

Glaetzer battle's Jeffrey Hoogland (NED) in the semi finals. Image Casey Gibson

​Matthew Glaetzer wrapped up his 2019 UCI Track World Championships with a fourth in the men’s sprint, his second result just off the podium after also finishing fourth in the keirin.
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Since winning the world title in the Netherlands twelve months ago, it has been a packed schedule for Glaetzer which took in both National and Oceania Championships, Commonwealth Games, the Japanese keirin season, plus four rounds to open the recent 2018/19 World Cup season which netted three gold and one silver.

On Saturday, fifth fastest qualifier Glaetzer looked on track for a successful title defence with strong rides sending him to the semi-final against Jeffrey Hoogland (NED).

However, on Sunday, the Dutch rider was too strong for the South Australian in their clash in two straight rides, ending the reigning champion’s hope of becoming just the second Australian to defend a sprint world crown.

Up against hometown hero Rudyk (POL) and a parochial crowd in the bronze medal final, Glaetzer took the win in their first heat, before later being relegated for entering the sprinter’s lane. Riding a wave of red and white flags, Rudyk overcame Glaetzer in the front straight in their second heat to take the bronze medal.