Late burst in keirin earns Kelly NZ’s only medal

Southland rider Caitlin Kelly saved the best for last at the world junior track championships in Colombia.

Kelly earned New Zealand’s sole medal at the event yesterday.

The Invercargill teenager finished third in the keirin competition with a final burst on the outside to grab the bronze medal in a photo finish.

It was the first medal won by a New Zealander in sprint or keirin at the junior track world championships for 12 years, since Paige Patterson won bronze when the championships were staged at Kelly’s home track in Invercargill.

Kelly and Auckland rider Jodie Blackwood were second in their respective keirin heats to reach the semifinals, with strong performances.

While Blackwood was unable to threaten from the back in the final, Kelly pushed hard around the field and made a final burst on the outside to nab third.

The Verdon College pupil has a background of success across the disciplines, winning an omnium national title decided over four endurance disciplines, but under coach Sid Cumming, she has transitioned to focus on sprinting.

Earlier, Meg Baker and Georgia Simpson, returning after a hard fall two days ago, combined to finish 10th in the two-rider madison which was dominated by Italy, who won six of the eight sprints and were the only nation to put a lap on the field.

The New Zealand men’s madison pairing of Invercargill rider Marshall Erwood and Magnus Jamieson were among five nations that did not finish the gruelling men’s madison.

Matthew Davidson finished 13th from 21 riders in the men’s elimination.

Dunedin rider James Gardner was 31st in the 1000m time trial.

It was the second year that a New Zealand team has competed at the championships, after a two-year Covid-enforced hiatus.

The nine-strong team had to cope with high humidity in the unusual velodrome with sides open to the elements of weather and sunlight. 

— Staff reporter