Mate Versus Mate Sees One Aussie Nudge Another Out of Contention

Posted on August 1, 2022 by

If there is something Australia loves, it’s a comeback story. For Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer, a comeback was on the cards as he took to the Olympic velodrome in the men’s sprint cycling following a 70km+ speed crash the night prior. Unfortunately, the return to track saw him face off with fellow Aussie teammate Tom Cornish.

Following a bad high-speed spill in the quarter-final during the keirin, Glaetzer’s fifth Commonwealth Games campaign was left in doubt in the early hours of the morning. However, he returned to the track late Sunday evening after receiving clearance to ride in the men’s sprint qualification less than two hours before the due start time.

Heading into the early rounds of qualification, the Australian sprint competitors looked strong and in good contention for the podium.

By the first races of the 1/8 finals, Australia’s Glaetzer, Matthew Richardson and compatriot and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) team member, Tom Cornish had taken three from three wins.

Qualifying second, fourth and fifth respectively, the hopes of an triple-Aussie-threat semi-final were quickly dashed when Glaetzer and NSWIS’ Tom came up against each other in the quarter-finals.

Glaetzer used his experience to his advantage to take the first of a best-of-three battle for contention into the semis.

Despite his best efforts and a strong challenge from the youngster, Tom, Glaetzer was able to hold him off and progress to the semi-final, knocking his fellow Australian teammate out of contention along the way.

For the 22-year-old, Birmingham 2022 has marked his debut as a Commonwealth Games athlete and showcased his potential to shine on the worlds’ stage.

 

Article by Caitlin Glanville, NSW Institute of Sport

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