Tasmanian cyclist Amy Cure has continued her medal success at the 2016 Oceania Track Championships in Melbourne.
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The 23-year-old, West Pine rider, was in fine form to claim her first ever omnium victory in the new four event format on Friday.
The dual world champion was consistent in the opening three events finishing second in the scratch, tempo and elimination race before dominating the points race and despite her advantage not being afraid to attack.
As she crossed the line for a final time Cure's points tally of 144 delivered her gold ahead of Racquel Sheath (NZL-116) and Holly Edmondston (NZL) on 113.
"It feels really good and I'm really happy how I raced," Cure said.
"Obviously with the new format and the bunch races, I really love the bunch races.
"I am really happy with kicking it off with a gold and what I was able to achieve with limited training.
It feels really good and I'm really happy how I raced obviously with the new format and the bunch races. I really love the bunch races.
- Amy Cure
"Was a bit unsure as to how I would go with my big break after the Rio Olympic Games, but I think I really surprised myself out here.
"I am happy with how I raced tactically, I made a few mistakes, but it is all a learning experience and I will take it one step at a time."
The new four event bunch race format is one Cure is excited about as she looks towards the next Olympic cycle and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
"So I am really happy with the change in the format, when it changed, something triggered in my mind and I am really excited with what the future may hold.
“I am aiming for Tokyo in the omnium," added Cure who competed in the new format at the Revolution Series and Gent Six day in November.
It was Cure’s second gold medal of the championships after teaming with fellow Tasmanian Georgia Baker and Rio Olympics teammates in Annette Edmondson (SA) and Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW) to win the team pursuit.
That victory came four months after their disappointment of finishing fifth in Brazil following a high-speed training accident.
Cure has also claimed a silver medal in the scratch race and the points race at the Oceania Track Championships.
West Australian Sam Welsford narrowly missed defending his omnium title claiming bronze in a testing men's event.
After starting with fifth in the opening scratch race Welsford took second in the tempo and eighth in the elimination to sit in the bronze medal position and just 18 from leader and former world champion Aaron Gate (NZL).
Knowing he needed to be aggressive Welsford was continually on the attack but Gate's experience and speed proved too strong for the young West Australian.
Both Cure and Welsford were scheduled to ride in the Madison on Saturday night.
