The elder statesman of the New Zealand men's track cycling programme, Marc Ryan, got to enjoy his moment in the sun when he took out the individual pursuit title on the second night of finals at the UCI Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Invercargill.
The Oceanias are one of five continental championships that now carry qualifying points for next year's world championships and also ranking points for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
31-year-old Ryan has become the leader and father-figure in the team pursuit group that includes 22-year-old Aaron Gate, 20-year-old Pieter Bulling and 19 year olds Dylan Kennett and Hayden McCormick.
The Timaru rider showed his experience and class to take out the 4000m individual pursuit with a personal best time of just over four minutes and 22 seconds to beat off the challenge from Australian teenager Miles Scotson.
Ten-time world champion Anna Meares of Australia again showed her remarkable class to win the women's keirin final, to add to the 500 metres time trial victory on the first night.
New Zealand team had their share of glory when Mid-Canterbury rider Lauren Ellis clawed back an early deficit to win the women's 3000 individual pursuit title from fellow Olympian Jaime Nielsen with fellow Kiwi Georgia Williams finishing third.
