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2015 Australian Women's Madison Championships
Preview |
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The second running of the
Australian Women’s Madison Championship sees a strong field of
14 teams take to the start. Nearly double the number from last
year. The field includes World, Commonwealth, Oceania and
Australian Champions in what will be a hotly contested battle.
Defending Champions Annette Edmondson and Jess Mundy are back
trying to make it two in a row. They will not have it all
their own way with the likes of Sarah Roy/Ashlee Ankudinoff,
Macey Stewart/Lauren Perry and Amy Cure/Georgia Baker looking
to take the gold.
Teams to Watch:
Annette Edmondson and Jess Mundy
Edmondson and Mundy won the inaugural title last year beating
out the heavily favoured pair of Mel Hoskins and Bella King in
the process. The name Annette Edmondson needs no introduction,
the dominant women’s endurance rider in Australia. Nobody in
the field can outsprint her and with Mundy she has a
formidable partner. Mundy has become something of a Madison
specialist having also claimed the Bendigo International
Madison this year.
Macey Stewart and Lauren Perry
The young Tasmanian pairing are taking the step up to the
elite level. Stewart is a three time Junior World Champion in
2014 with both the omnium and team pursuit on the track and
time trial on the road. Perry was also part of the winning
team pursuit squad at Junior Worlds and claimed the individual
pursuit title in 2013. While they may be less experienced than
others don’t be surprised to see a strong showing, both are
fantastic pursuiters who have strong sprints. The duo is
likely to feature prominently and have an added advantage of
being coached by one of the best Madison riders in history
Matt Gilmore.
Amy Cure and Georgia Baker
Cure and Baker finished fourth last year but there was a
significant gap to the podium places. Since then Cure has
claimed a maiden World Championship title in the points race
and two Commonwealth Games medals. Baker is now a full year
out of the junior ranks and with a number of World Cups in her
legs is much stronger. Will be a hard ask to claim gold but
definite podium contenders.
Ashlee Ankudinoff and Imogen Jelbert
Ankudinoff was the silver medallist last year with Josie
Talbot. 2015 sees Ankudinoff team up with Imogen Jelbert.
Jelbert is a current Australian U17 Team sprint record holder
and a strong track rider. The pair could
surprise. Ankudinoff claimed silver at the Bendigo
International Madison earlier this year.
Alex Manly and Dani McKinnirey
Manly is making the step up to elite while McKinnirey is in
her second year as a junior. Both won gold in the team pursuit
at the Junior Track World Championships in Korea, with Manly
adding a second in the individual pursuit. McKinnirey comes in
with good form having won the individual pursuit and points
race at the Oceania Championships. Their inexperience and age
against some of the other teams may be a factor but the pair
should produce a strong performance. |
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