Melbourne’s Tara Neyland has dominated the C4−C5 Women’s Individual Pursuit, setting a new world record en route to winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games early this morning.
Last night in qualifying, Neyland, who is classified as a C4 athlete, set a new benchmark of 4:49.648 over 4,000 metres at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, Scotland.
So phenomenal was her time that it was over 20 seconds faster than her nearest competitor after factoring – adjustment according to athletes’ impairments – was taken into account.
In the final, Neyland put down another flawless ride of 4:50.477 to claim victory by 19 seconds over England’s Morgan Newberry.
Today’s result is just the latest in a string of achievements for the 32-year-old, who won an incredible five world championships last year across track and road cycling.
“I had big hopes and I really wanted to try and execute the plan and stay calm,” Neyland said. “And I was really glad to pull it together.”
A newcomer to Para cycling, having only started racing last year, this Commonwealth Games debut was by far the biggest stage she’d competed on.
“It's been so incredible to be here,” Neyland said. “I have not actually raced in a velodrome with like this level of crowd and it's just been really exciting to hear them all, especially on the back straight, coming home on the last lap. They really pushed me to the end. It was very, very special.
The Brunswick Cycling Club rider praised the combined track cycling and track Para cycling program at these Commonwealth Games.
“To be able to have a fully integrated schedule and to have Para events here alongside our Olympic competitors, it's just a really, really special experience. And, I think, an incredible opportunity to show on the world stage what Para athletes can do, and how elite and fantastic these athletes are.
“To be able to race alongside Olympic athletes, it's honestly really special. It's great to be a part of one team.”
Jess Gallagher and Jacqui Mengler-Mohr racing against New Zealand.
Neyland will return to the velodrome on Sunday to compete in the 1000m time trial, an event in which she is the reigning world champion.
In other Para cycling results overnight, Australian teammate Erin Normoyle finished fourth behind Neyland after qualifying for the bronze final.
Jess Gallagher, piloted by Jacqui Mengler-Mohr, won silver in the Women’s Tandem B Sprint after being pushed to three rounds in the final by New Zealand.
Kane Perris, piloted by Luke Zaccaria, claimed the bronze medal in the Men’s Tandem B 1000m Time Trial with a time of 1:01.873.
Tonight’s program will see Australia’s Gordon Allan competing in the Men’s C1−C3 1000m Time Trial.
Photos: SWpix.com