The powerful WA women’s team pursuit trio aim to approach the world record at the Australian track cycling championships.
A day after SA set the fastest men’s team pursuit time in Australia by anyone – state, Australian or international – the WA women were targeting their own national record at least on Saturday at the Adelaide Superdrome.
Melissa Hoskins, Sarah Kent and Josie Tomic qualified fastest in three minutes 22.519 seconds, just shy of the Australian record 3:21.417 they set at last year’s nationals.
The USA set the world record of 3:19.569 two years ago and Tomic expects new marks to be set repeatedly ahead of the London Olympics.
As it was for SA on Friday, the hot Adelaide weather has created an ideal record-breaking opportunity for WA.
“It’s good conditions and there’s a world record that’s not too far away,” Tomic said after their qualifying ride.
“A sub-20 ride would be awesome.
“Everyone is getting closer and the world record is going to go very soon.
“When it goes once, I’d say until the Olympics it’s going to go several times by different teams.
“It could go this week … in the London World Cup (next month), I’m sure it’s going to go and I’m sure it will go again at the worlds and then at the Olympics.
“Everyone’s rising and it’s in sight for a lot of teams.”
Kent and Tomic combined with NSW rider Ashlee Ankudinoff to win the world title two years ago and WA have won every team pursuit Australian title since 2008.
On Saturday they qualified nearly 14 seconds faster than the ACT, who they should beat easily in the evening final.
It has been a big week for the six-women Australian track endurance squad ahead of selections for the London World Cup.
A few days ago each rider went through three team pursuit rides over two days, using different combinations, as selectors try to settle on the lineup for the World Cup.
SA’s Annette Edmondson cemented her spot by twice breaking the Australian all-comers individual pursuit record on Friday.
With the Olympics looming, Tomic said it is vital to make the London World Cup team.
“Whoever gets left out, it’s going to be heartbreaking and it’s going to be so close,” she said.
“If you go to London and win or you’re very competitive, I don’t see them messing with the teams before the worlds (in April).
“Everyone wants to be on that plane to London, because they know then they’re in with a genuine shot.
“You’d rather go from ahead than trying to chase from behind.”
Also on Saturday, defending men’s sprint champion Shane Perkins (Vic) had a scare before beating WA’s Scott Sunderland in their quarter-final.
Sunderland won heat one before Perkins won the next two to book a semi-final in the evening against Dan Ellis (ACT).
Fastest qualifier Matthew Glaetzer (SA) and Alex Bird (ACT) will meet in the other semi.
