Kiwi star Ally Wollaston wins two golds and a bronze at UCI Track Cycling event

New Zealand's Ally Wollaston (right) is elated after winning the 2024 women's omnium at this year's UCI Track World Championships in Denmark. Photo / SW Pix

Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club alumna Ally Wollaston was edged out of a fourth medal on the final day of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Denmark on Sunday.

The 23-year-old completed her breakthrough 2024 season with two gold medals, a bronze and a fourth placing, the most achieved at a single UCI Track World Championships by a New Zealand rider.

A fourth medal eluded the Kiwi by countback in the 25km points race, finishing tied for third with Ireland’s Lara Gillespie who earned the bronze medal after finishing ahead of Wollaston in the final sprint.

The Kiwi star was only four points from the gold medal, after being strongly marked for much of the race.

She led the points for a significant time, but could not convert two impressive moves into bonus points for lapping the field that would have secured victory.

“It was such a tough race. I left it all out there. I made some key mistakes. I am looking forward to watching it, learning from my mistakes and coming back next year and giving it another crack,” Wollaston said.

She became the first Kiwi track rider to win two rainbow jerseys and bag three medals at a single world championship.

Fellow Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club alumna Bryony Botha, 26, also claimed a bronze medal in the individual pursuit on the penultimate day of competition.

“If you had told me a week ago that I would walk away with three medals this week, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Wollaston said.

“My first scratch race was my first elite worlds medal – so to come away with my first medal and then first and second world champs jerseys is pretty amazing.

“I am blown away with this week and so happy to be part of a small but mighty New Zealand team. Even to come here with myself and Bryony and walk away with three medals myself and she won a well-deserved bronze medal. It is super-cool and something really amazing to be part of.”

It brought the curtain down on a remarkable year for Wollaston.

It began with her first World Tour stage win on the road at the Tour Down Under in Australia; two medals at the Paris Olympic Games on the track; signing to a new World Tour professional road team; and completing her remarkable year with three medals including two rainbow jerseys at the UCI Track World Championships.

“I am so proud of what I have achieved in the last 12 months and really looking forward to resetting, thinking of some new goals and letting it rip for the next season.

“It is an exciting year and exciting future for female riders in New Zealand at present. The rise of the women’s team pursuit is such a great reflection of women’s sport in New Zealand and in particular cycling and to be a part of that movement is really important and quite a big driving factor in why I do what I do.

“I am grateful now to have some time off the bike, go on holiday and spend some time with loved ones and reflect on what an amazing 12 months it has been.”