McCulloch claims bronze at ITS Melbourne

NSWIS’ Kaarle McCulloch has finished with a bronze medal in the women’s sprint in what was an exhilarating penultimate night of competition at the International Track Series Melbourne. 

The sell-out crowd was treated to a superb night of sprinting from Australia’s best with the women’s sprint a particular highlight. 

McCulloch ultimately finished behind Hong Kong’s Wai Sze Lee, who claimed gold, and South Australia’s Stephanie Morton, who claimed silver. 

Two days after recording the second fastest flying 200m time ever recorded on Australian soil, Adelaide’s Stephanie Morton fired around the DISC Velodrome to once again top qualifying in 10.891secs.

Morton’s time was nearly one tenth of a second faster than Wai Sze Lee (HKG-10.986), with reigning Olympic champion Anna Meares (11.147) third fastest.  

In two world-class semi-finals, Morton held off two late charges by McCulloch, while the in-form Lee – who celebrated wins in the sprint and keirin events held earlier in the week – overhauled Meares in the dying stages of their two heats.

In a rematch of Wednesday’s sprint final, Lee claimed her third victory of the week, unleashing her trademark back straight surge to overcome Morton in two rides.

Whilst McCulloch was disappointed not to have finished higher, the 28 year old took part in arguably the event of the night with fellow London Olympic team sprint bronze medallist Meares in the battle for the bronze medal in three scintillating heats. 

“It is always nice to win in three, it is a vote in confidence for the way I have prepared for this event,” said McCulloch.  

“I am really happy to have gotten a win over Anna, I don’t often beat her, she is such a great athlete, team mate and friend, so I am really happy.”

Like Meares and Morton, McCulloch has an anxious wait ahead over the next ten days until the Olympic team is announced. She will learn on July 5 if she is heading to a second Olympic Games.

“I have done everything I possibly could have, a great credit to Sean Eadie and NSWIS, they have given me every opportunity,” said McCulloch.

“While I might have fallen short on the time, I feel like I have raced really, really well.  

"Olympics or not, I think that will set me up pretty well for next year’s World Championships and I still feel like I have four years left in me and I think it is only onwards and upwards regardless.”