McCaig, Hoffman complete sprint-keirin doubles

Alessia McCaig is Australia’s undisputed sprint queen after taking out the women’s keirin at the AusCycling Track National Championships at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane on Saturday night.

McCaig, 22, claimed the sprint-keirin double for the third consecutive year and notched the 10th national title of her career. 

The Victorian rode from the front and showed her class by holding the strong field at her mercy to salute in style and cement her dominance on the track.

McCaig's fourth consecutive keirin national title followed her dominant sprint victory on Friday night and also a championship record earlier in the week.

McCaig was untouchable in the keirin.

“I’m stoked, four in a row is crazy,” McCaig said. “I broke a PB and didn’t lose a race all week, so I’d say that is a '10-out-of-1'0 week for me.” 

South Australia's Leigh Hoffman, pictured at top, also claimed a historic double after a bullocking performance in the men’s keirin final, backing up from his win in the sprint final on Friday night. 

Hoffman was forced to go wide on the final lap, but powered his way through to win comfortably.  

The 25-year-old, who broke the flying 200m national record earlier in the Championships, claimed the eighth track national title of his career. 

“I’ve got a bit to do to catch up with Alessia,” Hoffman said. “Keirin racing, anything can happen, I had to really dig deep. It’s been a good week, I’m pretty happy with that.”

South Australia dominated the elite women's scratch race, won by Rylee McMullen (centre).

It was a big night for South Australia, with a trifecta in the women’s scratch race final led by Rylee McMullen, who surprised the field to take a lap and ease into the green-and-gold jersey in front of Maeve Plouffe and Sophie Edwards.

“It was pretty fun racing with the girls. I’m lucky to be surrounded by such a strong team,” McMullen said. 

Queensland’s Noah Blannin claimed the men's scratch race in a thrilling three-way sprint over Tasmania’s Joshua Duffy and Victoria’s Oscar Gallagher.

There was a special moment for Queensland's Jacqui Mengler-Mohr, who claimed gold on the same night her daughter Ava Robbins won the women’s U17 scratch race national title.

Mengler-Mohr piloted Jessica Gallagher in the mixed tandem team sprint, posting 49.182 to fall just short of a world record.

“I’m a very proud mum, I was tired mum straight after racing,” Mengler-Mohr said. “But I found my voice pretty quickly to cheer her home, it is a special moment and amazing memory in front of a home crowd, it is just incredible. I’m so grateful.”

Mengler-Mohr powers the tandems in qualifying.

Jessica Gallagher said the time could have been even quicker and was a good sign for upcoming events.

“There is a really fun atmosphere here and it is always very special to wear the rainbow,” she said. “It was nice to put in a really quick time for the crowd as well.”

Queensland’s Sam Hilditch took out the men’s U19 elimination race, with a strong sprint finish coming over the top of Victoria’s Ollie Jirovec in the final lap.

“It means a lot,” Hildtich said. “I had a less-than-ideal preparation, so it is really nice to win.”

Noah Blannin won the men's scratch race.

New South Wales’ Elsie Apps showed her class to claim the women’s U19 scratch race, adding to her 1000m time trial victory earlier in the program. Apps' speed was undeniable as she eased past Queensland’s Megan Moore to claim her second green-and-gold jersey of the Championship. 

“It feels good, I’m really happy,” Apps said. “I’ve medalled in every event I’ve competed in this week, so I couldn’t be more happy.”

The Brisbane Cycling Festival is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. 

Photos: Con Chronis