Five medals for NZ cyclists

Delhi Commonwealth Games silver medallist Lauren Ellis is the best in the women's omnium in fifth place at the halfway point. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand won five medals on the opening night of finals at the Oceania cycling championships in Adelaide last night.

A 33-strong squad is contesting the three day meet at the Adelaide Velodrome which also serves as the first event with qualifying points towards next year's world championships.

It is also the first time they have raced under the new programme for the London Olympics - with events including the six-event omnium and the women's team pursuit which have been added to the programme for the first time.

The New Zealand Commonwealth Games trio of Shane Archbold, Aaron Gate and Myron Simpson fill the top three placings in the men's omnium at the halfway point after the 250m flying lap, 30km scratch race and elimination on the first day.

New Delhi Commonwealth Games silver medallist Lauren Ellis of Ashburton is the best in the women's omnium in fifth place while her Gemma Dudley of Levin is eighth after three events.

It is the first time over the new discipline and Ellis said the championships provided the ideal opportunity to trial the omnium, after recently returning to training.

"I had a good break after the Commonwealth Games and only got back on the bike three weeks ago, so it's been a bit of a shock to the system," Ellis said.

"I've been quite surprised at how good the legs are and how well I have recovered, which is really pleasing."

The event comprises the 250m flying lap, scratch race, elimination, individual pursuit, points race and time trial.

Ellis said that at present she feels her main focus will be the team pursuit where she was part of New Zealand's world record-setting performance at this year's world championship.

Canterbury's Natasha Hansen, 21, and Auckland student Henrietta Mitchell took out a silver medal in the women's team sprint in 35.704 seconds in the gold medal ride against Australia.

North Harbour teenager Georgia Williams picked up two medals with a silver in the 2000m individual pursuit in a solid two minutes 34.341 seonds and then grabbed a bronze in the 7.5km scratch race.

A new-look under-19 men's sprint team of Tom Beadle, Tayla Harrison and Matt Noble won silver while Blenheim's Cameron Karwowski, a 2009 junior team sprint world champion, took out bronze in the open 1000m time trial, with national champion Eddie Dawkins concentrating on sprints in Adelaide this week.

- NZPA