Cycling: Webster wins keirin at champs

Sam Webster won the keirin title on the penultimate night of the national track cycling championships in Cambridge. Photo / Dianne Manson

Champion sprinters Sam Webster and Stephanie McKenzie added the prized keirin titles in brilliant performances on the penultimate night of finals at the national track cycling championships in Cambridge.

Webster held off class field including all three members of the world champion team sprint and Olympic bronze medallist Simon van Velthooven at the Avantidrome.

Fellow Aucklander Ethan Mitchell grabbed the wheel of the derney with two laps remaining but Webster came over top in a thrilling finish, with Matt Archibald third.

"This means a lot because I've come second and third, so it's pretty awesome to take the win in a field of that quality,'' Webster said.

"The final at nationals is always a close fought battle and I had to go really deep to get that one. It was a really hard race and I am happy to come out on top.''

In the women's field, McKenzie put her hand up for nomination to the Commonwealth Games with her third title of the week follow victory in the 250m time trial and the sprint.

Her performance in controlling the final showed a maturity beyond her years, something the Southlander is proud of.

"I have been working hard on becoming more aware of the riders around and behind me,'' Mckenzie said.

"I knew they would be coming at me but I waited and picked my time. I felt under control throughout that race. I didn't even make the final of the keirin last year so this title is perhaps the most rewarding of the three this week.''

The 20-year-old was on second wheel but was rounded up with a lap to go by Natasha Hansen, before McKenzie moved to a higher gear to push to the front, leaving 500m time trial winner Katie Schofield in second ahead of Hansen.