Victories Sweet For Illawarra Cyclists

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday May 3, 2003

By MIKE GANDON

ILLAWARRA cyclists Rochelle Gilmore and Rebecca Borgo have struck gold at the 2003 Australia and Oceana track championships at Dunc Gray Velodrome in Sydney.

Keiraville's Borgo won the junior women's 500m time trial in 37.072sec ahead of ACT's Jessie McLean (37.931sec) on Thursday night.

As reigning 2002 champion, Borgo was the last competitor to ride and she also placed second in the senior women's team event.

``Both victories are just as sweet," Borgo said.

``(The difference was that) last year was a surprise, but this year everybody expected me to win.

``I'm just happy to have the first event out of the way so I can enjoy myself for the rest of the championships, knowing that I've qualified for the worlds."

Asked whether the time trial was her speciality, Borgo somewhat surprisingly said no, indicating her capabilities are best suited to the sprint.

``But a lot of other girls are also much stronger in the sprint, and anything can happen in that event," Borgo said.

Illawarra Academy of Sport coach Glenn Doney was pleased with Borgo's efforts considering she is studying year 12 at St Mary's College.

``The school has been very supportive of Rebecca's out-of-school activities over the past 12 months," Doney said.

``Rebecca rode a personal best in the time trial and I would expect her form to continue."

In the women's 10km scratch race, Stanwell Tops rider Rochelle Gilmore defended her national title ahead of Tasmania's Belinda Goss and West Australian Katrina Purcell on Thursday night. Three road races in the past week, a 24-hour flight from Europe and virtually no preparation was not enough to stop Gilmore from winning.

``I certainly wasn't ready for it (the scratch race) after racing three races in Europe in five days," Gilmore said.

``I felt underdone and my legs were still tired, but it's good preparation for the World Cup in Sydney later this month."

Gilmore's main focus is the scratch race at the world track championships.

``I came second in the same event at the worlds last year, so I want to go one better this year," Gilmore said.

© 2003 Illawarra Mercury

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