Cycling Southland representatives Ruth Whelan and Neil Familton both claimed medals at the Masters Track National Championships in Cambridge last weekend (18-19 Mar).

Whelan won gold in the 500m time trial for masters women 45-49, recording a time of 37.746 seconds which was more than three seconds clear of her closest rival.

Whelan's win also earned her fastest masters woman in any age group.

Whelan also claimed silver in the masters women open sprint, after qualifying with the second fastest time. She sailed through the quarter finals and semi finals without dropping a ride, and claimed the first ride in the best of three gold medal final against the fastest qualifier on the day, Canterbury’s Fiona Bennetts (35-39), however Bennetts managed to come back to claim the next two rides to take out the gold medal.

There was another silver medal for Whelan in the masters women team sprint, where she helped her composite team qualify second fastest to go into the gold medal ride against a well-drilled Canterbury squad, with an unfortunate mechanical issue preventing the team from improving on their qualifying time from the morning.

Cycling Southland representative Neil Familton. Photo: Supplied

Familton, riding in the mens 60 to 64 age group, won silver in the individual pursuit, behind a flying Peter Ashworth, who set a new national record on his way to gold. Familton had been the previous record holder in the age group.

Familton also claimed a bronze medal in the 500m time trial for his age group.

Although Familton said he relished the challenge of racing against younger riders, he was looking forward to moving up an age group at the end of the year and becoming the youngest rider in his new age group.