New Zealand Records Fall At RaboPlus New Zealand Track Cycling Championships

Olympians Alison Shanks and Jesse Sergent have smashed the New Zealand men’s and women’s Individual Pursuit records at the RaboPlus New Zealand Track Champs in Invercargill.

Sergent, who won gold at the recent World Cup meet in Beijing qualified fastest for tonight’s final in a time of 4:16.714, bettering the record set by Hayden Roulston of 4:21.281 set at last year’s champs’.

Sergent’s time was the second fastest in the world this year.

The Palmerston North rider will take on Westley Gough (East Coast North Island) in tonight’s final, while Waikato Bay of Plenty’s Sam Bewley will take on team-mate Peter Latham in the ride for bronze.

Otago’s Shanks, who also won gold in Beijing this year, smashed her own New Zealand record, qualifying fastest for tonight’s final with a ride of 3.31.265, bettering her record of 3.36.405 set at last year’s champs’.

Shanks will take on rowing convert Jamie Neilson of Waikato Bay of Plenty in the final, while Auckland’s Kaytee Boyd will be up against Rushlee Buchanan of Waikato Bay of Plenty in the ride for Bronze.

Former rowing Olympian Sonia Waddell made her nationals’ debut this morning, finishing 6th fastest in a time of 3:47.695, under the watchful eye of husband Rob.

Olympic gold medalist Sarah Ulmer was also trackside watching the event that she still holds the world record of 3.24.537 for, set at the Athens Olympics in 2004.*

*Ulmer has the fastest time ever by a New Zealander, however New Zealand records must be recorded in New Zealand.

Day 3 Morning Session Results:

Elite Women 3000m Individual Pursuit

Qualifying:
1.Alison Shanks Otago 3:31.265
2. Jamie Neilson Waikato/BOP 3:37.558
3.Kaytee Boyd Auckland 3:39.925
4.Rushlee Buchanan Waikato/BOP 3:43.945

Elite Men 4000m Individual Pursuit

Qualifying:
1.Jesse Sergent West Coast North Island 4:16.714
2.Westley Gough East Coast North Island 4:21.778
3.Sam Bewley Waikato/BOP 4:23.119
4.Peter Latham Waikato/BOP 4:23.878