Sexton, Erwood, and Boys star at Oceania Track Cycling Champs

Southland’s Tom Sexton, Benson Boys, and Marshall Erwood all standing on the top of the podium at the Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Cambridge.

Cycling Southland remains a powerhouse on the track following an impressive week at the Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Cambridge.

Southland cyclists delivered in the elite ranks, while 16-year-old Benson Boys yet again confirmed that he is one of New Zealand’s brightest young cycling talents.

Southland-based 16 year old riders Lily and Ollie Keast also were prominent riding for Canterbury in the U19 ranks.

Lily won three golds and a silver while her twin brother Ollie gained silver in team pursuit.

Marshall Erwood and Tom Sexton’s individual elite titles headlined Southland’s notable week.

Erwood, who has made big strides over the past year or so, won the Elite Men’s Elimination Race.

Sexton stood on the top of the podium with his victory in the Elite Men’s Omnium title, and Erwood picked up the bronze medal in that event.

Sexton added a second individual gold medal to his tally when he was victorious in winning the Elite Men’s Individual Pursuit, in an event that Erwood picked up silver.

Fellow Southlander Nick Kergozou was also amongst the medals with his bronze in the Elite Men’s Scratch Race.

While the likes of Erwood and Sexton road themselves to elite Oceania titles, many eyes were also on 16-year-old Boys who continues to make waves in his first year in the Under-19 ranks.

Heading into the Oceania Track Cycling Championships, Boys had claimed three national titles in the space of three months, winning the NZ U19 omnium, criterium, and road race titles.

The Central Southland College pupil backed that up with a stunning ride at the Oceania Championships to win the U19 scratch race on the back of a powerful sprint finish.

The Southlander ended up with a bag of medals, also finishing second in the points race, second in the time trial, as well as the elimination race.

Not surprisingly, his massive workload of racing of late eventually took its toll later in the week, although Boys did find enough in him to produce a strong showing in the points race as part of the omnium event.

Boys will now get a well-earned short breather before the focus switches to the New Zealand Track Cycling Championships to be held in Invercargill next month.