August 1/02 12:29 pm - Commonwealth Ganes: Men's Sprint & Pursuit story

Posted by Editoress on 08/1/02
 

Commonwealth Games

It was another day of Australian dominance on the track, with the riders in green and gold taking both the men's Sprint and Pursuit titles. Bradley McGee, just arrived from the tour de France, where he won the third stage, was the class of the Pursuit field, setting Games records on both his semi-final and final rides, ahead of English riders Bradley Wiggins and Paul Manning. The Aussie sprinters managed a clean sweep of the medals, led by 20 year old Ryan Bayley.

McGee's time on the very fast Manchester track was 4:16.358, one of the fastest ever recorded at sea level. What was even more amazing was that this was his first Pursuit competition since the Sydney Olympics.

In the Sprint, it came down to the young newcomer versus the established star. Sean Eadie took the first ride ahead of Bayley, but the 2001 Keirin World Champion came back in the next two rides to take the title. The final ride was the closest of the competition, with Bayley taking the win by less then a tires width, accidently popping a wheelie as he threw his bike across the line. Jobie Dajka took the bronze, with two straight rides against Jamie Staff (England).