March 21, 2006 — Australia once again took the spoils at the Commonwealth Games Time Trials today in Melbourne. World number one Oenone Wood won the women’s 29K event, leading a clean sweep of medals for the host nation.

Aussie Nathan O’Neill won the men’s 40K race over compatriot Ben Day with New Zealand’s Gordon McCauley in third.

Canada’s top result came from Svein Tuft who placed seventh, 2:32 behind O’Neill’s winning time of 48:37 with fellow Canuck, Zach Bell in 13th at 3:30.16.

Silver medallist at 2002 Commonwealth Games road race in Manchester, Canada’s Susan Palmer-Komar, was eighth in women’s event. Erinne Willock who replaced an injured Lyne Bessette, had a great day placing tenth for Canada.

The dead-flat St. Kilda course which snaked its way along the picturesque Melbourne coastline gave the thousands of spectators plenty of prime viewing points. A fairly strong breeze meant a headwind on the outward bound section but provided some relief from the hot temperatures.

Surprise non-starter in the women’s race was favourite Sarah Ulmer. Apparently suffering from a back injury she sustained five weeks ago, the New Zealand super-star was expected to redeem her nation’s poor performance on the track events.

Australia instantly benefited from her no-show and Wood was on a flyer. Fastest at the turn she finished in 37:40, 15 seconds clear of team mate 41 year-old Kathy Watt. Sara Carrigan completed the trifecta a further four seconds back.

“In my mind she was one of the favourites,” Wood said of Ulmer. “She’s tough and she’ll come back. She’ll be out to make amends on Sunday at the road race. I’m very satisfied with the way I rode. I’ve only had a couple of weeks preparation for this as before that I was focused on the road race.”

“It was tough,” Palmer-Komar said. “I went as fast as I could and that was it.”

Early leader in the men’s race was Kenyan Christopher Froome. Setting off first in a field of nearly 70, Froome hammered home in 53:58 and sat in the leader’s chair for best part of an hour before more favoured riders stomped through the finish area.

“It was a fantastic and nervous feeling being in the hot-seat,” the 20 year-old student said. “I’m really using this event as a stepping stone to hopefully ride the world championships.”

Tuft was the penultimate starter but was caught before the turn by a motoring O’Neill. The seven-time Australian time-trial champion was in fine form later catching English hope Stuart Dangerfield on the tailwind assisted return leg.

O’Neill romped home, punching the air in delight, a clear 24 seconds ahead of team mate Ben Day.

“I like the tough conditions,” O’Neill said of the outward leg’s headwind. “The tougher the better. This is the sort of thing that happens once in a lifetime,” the Health Net p/b Maxxis professional said. “You’ll never be able to replicate today’s emotions, today’s pressure, the ambiance of the day.”

Silver and bronze placed Day and McCauley were far more blunt in their assessments. “Am I allowed to say ar*e?” Day asked. “Because my ar*e is hurting so much.”

“I had a time-check to Ben,” said New Zealand road champion McCauley, “and I was losing five seconds to him each check and that started to piss me off.”

“To tell the truth,” he continued, “I’m just glad there weren’t three Aussies in the race.”

The cycling programme concludes on Sunday March 26, the Games’ last day, with the men and women’s road races.