Clonan defeats her idol on way to one of three titles at national championships

Sunshine Coast’s Kristina Clonan and Alexandra Martin-Wallace have continued their rise in cycling with barnstorming displays at the track national championships.

The former captured titles in the 500m time trial, the sprint and the keirin in a dominant display.

The 22-year-old defended her TT crown with a strong showing ahead of Breanna Hargrave and Caitlin Ward.

“I honestly show up every day with the mindset I’m going to go hard and I’m not boycotting anything,” she said.

She then defended her sprint title, overcoming Kaarle McCulloch in the semi-finals and defeating Hargrave in the final.

“Kaarle is my idol, and when I switched over (to sprint), she was a really great mentor for me and really took me under her wing so I’m forever grateful,”

“To race against her is just awesome.”

The Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy member, who switched from the endurance program to the sprint program, also claimed victory in the keirin.

She staved off Felice Beitzel and Lara Tucker.

“I saw Lara come around and thought, oh, this is going to hurt, and it did, but it was good,” she said.

“It was a proactive race with people trying things. This is the place to try it, and I just think that’s great. I just love when people are gutsy.”

Martin-Wallace snared a win in the scratch race, on her 21^st birthday.

After pushing for podium positions during the week, the Pro Racing Sunshine Coast squad member beat South Australia’s Chloe Moran and Hargrave.

“It’s pretty good. It’s been a long week, so I’m glad to finish it off well,” she said.

“It (scratch race) wasn’t the focus. There were other things I was prioritising, but I always love a scratch race, so it’s good to get the win. It’s always good to finish well.”

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Meanwhile, another Pro Racing Sunshine Coast rider, Samantha de Riter, won her first national title.

The South Australian claimed victory in the individual pursuit, ahead of Lauren Perry.

The AusCycling Track National Championships included 38 events at the Anna Meares Velodrome from March 24 to March 28.

The championships headline the Brisbane Cycling Festival schedule, which runs from March 24 to April 12.