Cycling: Otago riders shine

Otago riders have been performing with distinction at the national age group track championships in Invercargill this week.

Brad Evans and Alysha Keith, who are both part of Academy Otago, scooped gold medals with dominant rides on the covered velodrome.

Evans won the glamour under-19 3000m individual pursuit final in 3min 27min 0.56sec, just 0.335sec clear of Alex Frame (Canterbury).

Evans' impressive ride put him in contention to be named in the New Zealand team for the world junior championships later in the year. He later won a silver medal in the points race.

Keith had a stunning ride in qualifying for the under-17 2000m individual pursuit, finishing in 2min 37.813sec to break the national record held by Georgina Wilson (2min 38.298sec). Keith's vanquished opponent, Racquel Sheath (Auckland), also broke the record.

The gold medal race was tight but Keith, targeting the world junior championships in Invercargill in 2012, held on to claim the title in a rematch with Sheath.

Keith added a silver medal in the 500m time trial.

Talented all-round Central Otago rider Sophie Williamson claimed bronze in the under-17 sprint when her ride-off opponent withdrew with an injury.