Cycling: Oceania gold for NZ junior

Junior world championship gold medallist Stephanie McKenzie. Photo / Doug Sherring

Junior world championship medallist Stephanie McKenzie grabbed a gold medal for New Zealand on the penultimate night of finals at the Oceania Cycling Championships in Adelaide last night.

McKenzie took it to the heart of the Australian cycling strength - their much vaunted sprint programme - to win the under-19 sprint final in impressive fashion.

The Auckland sprinter was the top qualifier and was unbeaten throughout the competition, culminating in victory in the gold medal ride against Australia's Adele Sylvester in two straight rides.

Counties Manukau's Paige Patterson, who is in her first year as a junior, impressed in grabbing the bronze medal in her first major international competition.

Commonwealth Games medallist Simon van Velthooven of Palmerston North was edged out of gold in an exciting final for the kerin medals by Jason Niblett.

The Australian, who has been competing with Van Velthooven in the high profile keirin league in Japan this year, came from behind to catch the New Zealander on the line, winning by 3cm.

The championships conclude tonight with the team competitions.

- NZPA