AMY Cure has added a new string to her bow by winning Australia's first women's madison race.
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The 19-year-old West Pine cyclist combined with regular training partner Isabella King, of Western Australia, to win the event at Melbourne's Joe Ciavola Velodrome.
"It was an awesome experience and you couldn't wipe the smile off our faces after we won," she said.
Cure and King beat home Olympian Annette Edmondson and her partner Jessica Mundy with Launceston young guns Georgia Baker and Lauren Perry in third place.
"It was something different and it was great to be cheered on by such a big crowd," Cure said.
Cure said she became aware the madison had been programmed three weeks ago and asked King if she would be her partner.
"We were at a training camp in Adelaide and we set aside one session to practice our hand slings," she said.
The madison was held as a demonstration event during the Melbourne Cup on Wheels carnival, but next year it will be included as a national championship.
On Saturday night it was held just before the Australian men's madison championship, which was won by Belgian Kenny De Ketele and Geelong's Leigh Howard.
"Kenny is the reigning world champion and Leigh is the former world champion and it was just awesome to have them giving us a few tips before the race," Cure said.
The race was over 60 laps with sprint points on the line every 10 laps.
Cure said victory in the madison had made up for a disappointing Oceania Games when she succumbed to illness.
It was a double reason to celebrate in Melbourne at the weekend as Amy's older sister Rebecca presented her with a new niece.