26 Nov 2010

Three golds for NZ cyclists

2:03 pm on 26 November 2010

New Zealand riders won three golds in a seven-medal haul on the second night of finals at the Oceania Track Cycling championships in Adelaide.

The Commonwealth Games pair of Shane Archbold of Timaru and Hamilton's Jaime Nielsen won gold medals in the men's omnium and women's individual pursuit while Invercargill's Peter Bulling, a late addition to the team, won the under-19 points race.

Kiwi riders won a clean sweep of the six-event men's omnium with Archbold claiming gold ahead of his Delhi team-mates Myron Simpson and Aaron Gate, both from Auckland.

Archbold won both the individual pursuit and his favoured scratch race to gain the victory in the new Olympic event which will make its debut in London.

Nielsen, a convert from rowing, won her first significant international title when she outlasted Commonwealth Games team-mate Kaytee Boyd in the battle for gold in the women's 3000-metre individual pursuit.

The Australians dominated the women's omnium with Lauren Ellis the best of the kiwis in sixth place.

The hosts also proved too strong in the men's sprints with Southland's Eddie Dawkins grabbing the bronze medal.