BikeNZ track pair dominate international six-day in Italy

The BikeNZ pairing of Shane Archbold and Dylan Kennett has won an internationally rated six-day track cycling title in Italy today.

Archbold (Timaru) and Kennett (Waimate) became the first official New Zealand team to win the prestigious Giorni delle Rose Fiorenzuola event today.

The week-long track meet comprised a range of daily racing of points races, scratch races, flying laps, Madison and eliminations over a range of distances in sweltering summer conditions.

The BikeNZ pair beat off some strong international competition including the French world champions and the European champions from the Czech Republic.

They proved their dominance in a demanding final day winning five of the six disciplines. They were third in the points race, Kennett won the scratch race, Archbold took out the elimination before they combined to win the 40-lap sprint, the flying lap and 100-lap Madison.

Their main opposition early in the week came from fellow New Zealanders Myron Simpson and Aaron Gate until Simpson crashed heavily and injured his shoulder.

“This is one of the traditional six-day races held throughout Europe but definitely one of the biggest with teams from USA, Australia and throughout Europe taking part,” said BikeNZ head coach Dayle Cheatley.

“It was a thoroughly impressive performance from the guys who were consistently dominant.”

Archbold, 24, a former world championship silver medallist, returned to Europe following some outstanding results at the recent UCI Tier One meets in Australia. He now returns with Gate to their professional road team An Post Sean Kelly based in Belgium.

Cheatley singled out praise for the 18-year-old Kennett who also competed in the two-day omnium competition held concurrently, finishing fourth in that competition.

“It was a very big schedule for a young man but Dylan managed the load well and was very impressive,” Cheatley said. “He is developing into an outstanding prospect.”

Kennett has two further weeks of racing with the BikeNZ endurance track squad based in Belgium before returning to New Zealand to prepare for the summer international track season,

Gate, the Omnium world champion, also competed in that competition, finishing tied on points with the London Olympic champion Ed Clancy (GBR). The British rider claimed the title with better overall times in the timed events.

Gate was fourth in the flying lap, won the points race and second in the elimination on the first day. The Aucklander was eighth in the individual pursuit, second in the scratch race and sixth in the 1000m time trial to finish tied on 23 points with Clancy.

“Aaron rode really well in a world class competition. Both he and Shane have come off a road season and really quickly found their legs on the track in Australia and now back in Europe.”

The attention now turns to the New Zealand junior team who are preparing for the UCI Junior World Track Championships that begin this weekend in Glasgow.