McCulloch retains Oceania sprint crown

Kaarle McCulloch has won her second gold medal of the 2017 Oceania Track Championships in Melbourne, successfully defending her sprint crown from fellow Australians Courtney Field (VIC) and Stephanie Morton (SA).

On the last day of the championships, three-time team sprint world champion McCulloch put on a stunning display of sprinting to triumph over rising star Courtney Field.

McCulloch qualified second fastest in 11.117secs just marginally slower than Morton (11.102) before proving too quick for Holly Takos (SA) to book a finals spot.

McCulloch’s experience proved vital in the final as she led from the front to hold off a fast finishing Field but was pushed to the line both times.

“I am really happy to defend my title in the sprint tonight, I think I raced really well,” McCulloch said.”

“I’ve come off a nice break after Rio. I went in there as peer reserve and so to put together some good racing tonight, I’m really happy with that.”

“I am stoked to get the win tonight, it has been a long hard off season for me particularly after the disappointment of not making the Rio team.

“So to come here, defend my title and to do it in some reasonable form I think the season in general is looking really good.”

Earlier in the championships McCulloch won the time trial.

Pic Credit Con Chronis / Cycling Australia