Commonwealth Games Day 3: Australia increases gold medal count to 7

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Australia continues to rack up gold medals at the Anna Meares velodrome in Brisbane at the Commonwealth Games, winning two more on Saturday, to bring their total after three days to seven gold. New Zealand added their second title, while Wales won their first.

The day did not start well for the host nation, with Keirin winner Matt Glaetzer qualifying first in the men's sprint by setting a new Games record, and then immediately going down to defeat against Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom of Malaysia in the 1/8 final.

The sprint gold medal final would come down to defending champion Sam Webster of New Zealand versus Jack Carlin of Scotland. Webster won the first ride easily, but the second win to claim the title came down to a bike throw. In the bronze medal final, Australia's Jacob Schmid prevailed over the giant-killer Sahrom.

"I knew from when I woke up - it felt like I was in a good space," said Webster. "I had recovered really well from the Keirin, and then throughout my early stages of the warm up, I felt like my legs and head were in the same place. When I got out to my first round, I was able to put together some really nice races, put my bike where it needed to go."

Barker wins women's Points Race

The women's 25-kilometre Points Race came down to a battle between Elinor Barker of Wales and Katie Archibald of Scotland. Archibald, already the individual pursuit champion, started racking up points in the intermediate sprints, however, Barker waited until a lull mid-race to launch an attack and take a solo lap on the field. She then won the final double points sprint to seal her victory. Scotland's Neah Evans won the bronze.

"I have not been myself recently and I knew at the World Championships there was something not quite right," said Barker. "I'm not sure what it was, but I have adapted my training to get the best out of myself tonight. Something is obviously working."

"Honestly I thought I lost it because of Katie [Archibald]. She is so fast and so strong. I didn't realise I was going to beat her in this."

McCulloch champion of the 500m Time Trial

Australia took their first win of the night in the women's 500m time trial, with Kaarle McCulloch beating teammate Stephanie Morton for the gold medal. Remarkably, this is McCulloch's first individual title at a major event; having won all her other titles with either Anna Meares or Morton. Emma Cumming of New Zealand won the bronze.

"I had a rough time in Glasgow [2014 Commonwealth Games] with an injury, and was sidelined in Rio [2016 Olympic Games]," said McCulloch. "I've been in training since Rio and have gone from strength to strength. I'm very grateful to Sean [Eadie, coach] and all those who helped me."

Welsford takes gold in men's Scratch Race

The final medal event of the day was the men's Scratch Race. A very high pace and constant vigilance by the Australian team meant that no one got away until the closing laps, when Ethan Hayter of England managed to open a gap. With less than a kilometre remaining, Hayter looked to have the title sewn up after a solo breakaway effort.

However, Cameron Meyer went to the front for Australia and brought the gap down to the point that in the final half lap his team mate Sam Welsford could jump across with a small group to overtake Hayter for the victory. Campbell Stewart of New Zealand won silver and Christopher Latham of England took the bronze.

"Such a hard race because it was on from the start. There were so many moves and I just had to be patient. All credit to [team mates] Cameron Meyer and Leigh Howard; they were amazing."

"I'm over the moon. It's my second gold of the competition [also in the Team Pursuit]. I just had to hold on in the end. It's a very special moment because my program's very team-based. But it's a good test to see where I'm at, at the world level." 

Full Results