sport, local-sport, Bendigo, national, McCaig, Eddy, Hadden, Bailey, Gill, cyclinist

BENDIGO cyclist Alessia McCaig has stamped herself as the undisputed queen of the track after an exceptional performance at the Junior National Track Championships in Brisbane. The 15-year-old won an astonishing four gold medals and one bronze to be crowned the under-17 women's champion of champions for the second-consecutive year. A commanding performance for the junior rider was capped by a pair of new national records. McCaig set the tone for a magnificent championships by setting a new record in the under-17 women's flying 200m last Thursday. She followed up by setting a new mark in the 500m team sprint, together with Carnegie-Caulfield rider Lucie Stewart. McCaig and Stewart smashed a long-standing record, previously held for 10 years by Imogen Jelbart, from Bendigo, and Caitlin Ward. The pair broke the record in qualifying and then bettered their mark again in the final to take gold. Her wins in Brisbane gave McCaig a two-year medal haul of eight gold, two silver and one bronze following an equally brilliant display at last year's championship. While she set herself for a big championships, McCaig conceded she had exceeded her own expectations. "It's been a lot of hard work - obviously the two records have been the highlight of the week," she said. "To finish with eight gold, two silver and a bronze after the last two years, I'm happy. "Actually happy is probably an understatement." McCaig said she would likely take a short break from riding before turning her attention to the road season to keep her fitness up. There was plenty more success for Bendigo riders at the championships. Jackson Hadden finished with gold in the under-17 men's team pursuit, one silver and one bronze, Belinda Bailey won silver in the keirin on Sunday, while Angus Gill won a bronze in the under-15 boys 7.5km points race on Friday. It was a pleasing return for Hadden, who was picked in the Victorian team two years ago, but missed the championships after injuring his shoulder. He won silver in 500m team sprint and bronze in 7.5km scratch. McCaig, who will step up to under-19 ranks in 2020, won gold in the 200m flying, 500m team sprint, scratch and keirin. Seven Bendigo and District Club Cycling Clubriders competed in Brisbane, including Haylee Jack, Jasmine Eddy and Nate Hadden. READ MORE: Bendigo duo claims gold at Junior Track National Championships. Bendigo seven primed for Junior Track national Championships McCaig flies to new national record Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/j98Hh85wiUB5yeTBh2fLTR/32001400-77ed-4f6d-b209-8ace730c7656.jpg/r0_229_810_687_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg