Dawkins breaks Hoy's record in Poland

New Zealand cyclist Eddie Dawkins grabbed a notable scalp when the track sprint team competed in the Grand Prix of Poland at the weekend.

Dawkins took out the men’s sprint final at the UCI qualifying meet in Pruszkow after setting the velodrome alight in the qualifying.

He clocked a superb 9.914s for the 200m flying qualifying which set a new track record, breaking the previous mark held by six-time Olympic winner and 11-time world champion Sir Chris Hoy.

Dawkins then proceeded through the elimination competition to win the final in two straight rides.

The New Zealand sprint team are competing in Europe in their preparations for this summer’s major international competition which is highlighted by the first ever UCI World Cup in this country, to be held in Cambridge in December.

It was not such good news for the men’s team sprint, with the 2014 world champion trio of Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Dawkins having to settle for second place behind Russia.

They qualified fastest but Mitchell suffered a slight injury at the start of the final and was subsequently impeded in the re-run.

The squad is now in a three-week training block in Mallorca before returning for two UCI qualifying competitions in USA.

Meanwhile it was not such good news for 2013 omnium world champion Aaron Gate who has injured his shoulder while racing at the Six-Day track meet in Italy.

Gate will be out of action for approximately three weeks and will now remain in Europe to contest further UCI qualifying events before returning in late August. Details: www.cyclingnewzealand.co.nz


Eddie Dawkins in action. Credit Guy Swarbrick