By David Williams
Josh Tarling led the way as Welsh riders won an incredible 17 medals at the British National Track Championships in Newport.
Teenager Tarling followed up his individual title in the 120 lap points race, by also winning the men’s team pursuit, alongside Joe Holt, Harvey McNaughton and William Roberts.
It proved to be a hugely memorable championships for home riders at the Geraint Thomas Velodrome as they secured five titles in all and 17 medals to lay down a marker ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year.
Ella Barnwell retained her scratch race title, while the women’s team sprint event was won by the Welsh trio of Rhian Edmunds, Emma Finucane and Lowri Thomas.
And after victory in the individual pursuit and third place in the scratch race, Tokyo silver medallist Neah Evans ended the weekend on a high with a commanding performance in the points race, gaining two laps on the field on her way to 64 points.
Olympic silver medallist Evans, who was second in the team pursuit at Tokyo 2020, finished ahead of Anna Morris in the individual pursuit, with Kate Richardson finishing in third.
An awesome few days in the @BritishCycling national senior track champs. 2 titles is unbelievable, solo in the points and part of an awesome @WelshCycling team in the Team Pursuit.#proudparents pic.twitter.com/lSsJBkAzSJ
— Michael Tarling (@tarling_michael) March 6, 2022
Tarling – who is only 18 years old – added to his two junior European titles from last year.
After his latest individual triumph, he said: “I knew it would be fast because there are quite a lot of people on really big gears and there are some big engines here.
“I was going to ride a little bit of a smaller gear and I just wanted to get the jump, so I thought I’d go early while I was fresh. Luckily, I won two sprints and that gave me that lead, then I could sit on for a bit.
“When John (Archibald) went and I was on him, I knew he’s got such a big engine. I was parking it every time, but I just knew I had to stick with him.”
After the Welsh women’s team sprint victory, Finucane said: “It was a really good ride from us. We were really happy to get a PB in every ride. It’s just nice to get this jersey.”
Ella Barnwell wins the women’s scratch race! With fellow Welsh rider Anna in second!
What a race! pic.twitter.com/lYSOz6qolY
— Welsh Cycling (@WelshCycling) March 5, 2022
Thomas added: “It’s absolutely insane – the crowd has been wicked all weekend. It’s really exciting to come here and win.”
Carmarthenshire’s Barnwell showed great poise to hold off her rivals in the closing stages and secure a fourth senior national title.
“It feels like such an honour because you’ve got a Welsh crowd, so it’s like home winning the stripes here. It’s amazing really,” she said.
“My big aim is representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games, hopefully on the track, but it would be great to do road, too – I’d like to go for the win for that.”