Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) cyclist Jack Bobridge has reclaimed the men’s 4km individual pursuit national title in a stunning performance at the 2010 Australian Track Cycling Championships, on 2 February at the Adelaide Super-Drome.

The 20-year-old Bobridge won the individual pursuit in 4 minutes, 16.31 seconds, beating AIS team-mate Rohan Dennis by more than four seconds (4 minutes, 20.56 seconds). WA competitor Travis Meyer finished in third place (4 minutes, 22.85 seconds), ahead of the AIS’s Michael Hepburn (4 minutes, 25.33 seconds).

Earlier in the day, Bobridge had another kind of win: he recorded a time of 4 minutes, 14.43 seconds in his qualifying ride for the 4km individual pursuit — the third fastest time ever recorded for this event.

UK cyclist Chris Boardman currently holds the records for the two fastest times in the 4km individual pursuit (4 minutes, 11.11 seconds and 4 minutes, 13.35 seconds), which he recorded at the 1996 world championships in Manchester. However, as Boardman’s times were recorded using a now banned aerodynamic stretched out position, this means Bobridge is, under current rules, now the world’s fastest 4km cyclist.

‘Considering I have only done three sessions on the [Adelaide Super-Drome] track leading into these championships, I have come out today and surprised myself,’ Bobridge said. ‘It has been perfect conditions for track cycling, so that’s why you have seen so many fast times delivered here.’

In other great results for AIS cycling, Sarah Kent won the women’s 3km individual pursuit in 3 minutes, 36.98 seconds, just ahead of AIS team-mates Ashlee Ankudinoff (3 minutes, 38.03 seconds) and Josephine Tomic (3 minutes, 40.45 seconds).

Later in the day, the AIS’s Kaarle McCulloch teamed up with NSW cyclist Madison Law to win the women’s team sprint event in 35.68 seconds, defeating the SA team of Stephanie Morton and Annette Edmondson (36.07 seconds).