Records keep falling at Anna Meares Velodrome

Adelaide's Sophie Edwards broke the national record in the women’s individual pursuit, before claiming the fifth national title of her career at the 2026 AusCycling Track National Championships on Wednesday night.

At the Anna Meares Velodrome, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist broke the national record in qualifying with a scintillating 4:32.651. She looked strong throughout the final, holding off a spirited performance from the ACT’s Claudia Marcks.

Edwards’ time in the final, 4:37.082, while slower than her blistering morning effort, was enough to secure the victory, 1.24 seconds ahead of Marcks.

Sophie Edwards with gold medal and green and gold national champion's jersey for the elite women's individual pursuit at the 2026 AusCycling Track National Championships at Anna Meares Velodrome, Brisbane, Queensland.

Edwards won her fifth career national title and set a new national record.

“I didn’t believe it when I looked up at the board and saw I had broke the record; I didn’t believe it,” Edwards said.

“I had a big weekend of racing doing the ProVelo tour in Brisbane, so I didn’t know how I would pull up. Super proud to take the victory.

“I’m doing all the races this week, team pursuit tomorrow, looking forward to lining up with some exciting young South Australia riders.

Sophie Edwards of South Australia during the elite women individual pursuit at the 2026 AusCycling Track National Championships at Anna Meares Velodrome, Brisbane, Queensland.

Edwards, riding on the bike of the ARA Australian Cycling Team, has eyes set on Glasgow 2026.

“This is all about qualifying for the Commonwealth Games team. Hopefully I can put a few more good performances in and secure my place on the team.”

It was a big day for South Australia with Tayte Ryan defending his green-and-gold jersey in the 1000m time trial with a typically fast performance.

The 20-year-old, a two-time junior world champion in the event, is quickly establishing himself as one of the emerging stars of Australian cycling.

His time of 1:00.318 was comfortably in front of New South Wales' Thomas Cornish and Queensland’s Rohan Haydon-Smith.

Tayte Ryan of South Australia celebrates winning the elite men 1km 1000m time trial at the 2026 AusCycling Track National Championships at Anna Meares Velodrome, Brisbane, Queensland.

Tayte Ryan came close to breaking the 60-second barrier.

“It feels pretty cool, cool coming in as defending champion,” he said.

“We tried something a bit different today, we went a bit bigger on my gear, and it was looking good for the first 500m, but I paid the price at the back end.

“I’m still super proud of that effort and it feels really cool to defend the national title.”

Western Australia finished the night with a thrilling maiden victory in the women’s elite team sprint. Their new-look trio of Liliya Tatarinoff, Maya Dillon and Kristine Perkins finished just 0.09 seconds ahead of Queensland.

Liliya Tatarinoff, Kristine Perkins and Maya Dillon of Western Australia with gold medals and green-and-gold national champion's jerseys for the elite women's team sprint at the 2026 AusCycling Track National Championships at Anna Meares Velodrome, Brisbane, Queensland.

Western Australia claimed their maiden national title in the elite women's team sprint.

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