James Murphy
A PAIR of Mount Gambier cyclists have defended their national title at the 2024 AusCycling National Track Championships.
Niel van Niekerk and Kai Arbery joined Adelaide’s Tayte Ryan, contesting the junior men’s team sprint title as part of the Under 19 Australian Sprint Championships.
Entering as reigning champions, the South Australian trio went back-to-back for the event – both bettering their time from last year and setting a new state record.
The previous record was 46 seconds flat which they lowered to 45.9 in a solid display.
When asked how they felt about winning the event, both Van Niekerk and Arbery stated they felt a sense of relief after feeling the pressure of entering as reigning title holders.
“I was happy we won as well, but I was really relieved we could go back-to-back and keep our title,” Van Niekerk said.
“I was also happy we could beat our time from last year and get the state record.”
While not having as much time to prepare as a team this time around, with only one training session prior to the event, all three riders had put in the hard work in the 12 months between Championships.
“I think technically we were better last year, but from this time last year to now we have had so much gym training and strength training,” Arbery said.
“I think we have all individually gotten a lot stronger which has helped us go faster even though the technical aspect had suffered a little bit.”
In addition to this, Ryan had also become a world champion since they last rode together, winning the 2023 Junior Men’s 1000m Time Trial at the Junior Track World Championships.
In the final, each rider impressed and the gap grew with every lap.
Van Niekerk started things off, while Arbery completed the second lap and Ryan finished off strongly.
“The first lap was only a fraction faster than theirs, then it grew a little bit and the last lap we gained a whole heap with Tate at third wheel,” van Niekerk said.
The trio met Victoria in the final, who had improved since last year, but were still no match for the South Australians in the end.
Prior to the final, qualifying was held, where teams took to the track one at a time to register a time.
From there teams were paired up, with a main final to decide the gold and silver medallists and a bronze medal final between the third and fourth placed teams.
“For the final they would pair us up and there would be two teams on the track, starting at opposite ends,” Arbery said.
“Whoever crosses the line first wins.”
South Australia took out the gold, with Victoria in second, while Queensland secured a place on the final step of the podium in the bronze medal final.
Riders also competed in individual events across the Championships.
“We had four events at nationals, so we were pretty tired from the previous days,” van Nierkerk said.
“There was a 200m sprint which went into the match sprints, then there was a time trial which was 1km as fast as you can go and then also the Keirins which is a bunch event.”
Following two years of national success, the 2025 Australian Championships will be a whole new beast.
“We are second year Under 19’s which is our last year,” Arbery said.
“We go up to the Elite category now and then you are racing the best in Australia.”
Both riders thanked their coaches and all involved in helping them to where they are now in the sport.
