Cycling: Laike triumphs after bruising path to final

By JULIE ASH

Otago's Katri Laike didn't let a black eye and several cuts and bruises stand in her way last night as she successfully defended her sprint title at the National Track Cycling Championships in Manukau.

Laike crashed in her first semifinal race against Auckland's Donna Wynd yesterday morning. Racing at speeds close to 50 km/h, she was lucky to escape with just a black eye and several cuts and bruises.

Because of the crash, the race was re-run.

Laike drew first blood, winning the first race before claiming the second to win the best-of-three series 2-0.

In the other semifinal, Kate Mullarkey beat Amy Mason from Auckland 2-0 and in last night's final Laike dismissed Auckland's Mullarkey 2-0 to successfully defend the title she won last year.

In the team's sprint qualifying, Auckland notched up the fastest time yesterday and will meet Canterbury today in the final. Otago will race West Coast North Island for the bronze medal.

Also today Auckland take on Canterbury in the final of the women's team sprint, which has been introduced into the championship for the first time.

Otago squared off against Auckland in the final of the teams pursuit last night. Otago were three-tenths of a second faster than Auckland in qualifying, while Canterbury were third fastest, ahead of the Auckland junior men's team.