Tasmania’s Georgia Baker has etched her name deeper into Australian cycling history by winning a record-equalling fifth Commonwealth Games gold medal.
The 31-year-old, who was named the 2022 Tasmanian athlete of the year, produced a blistering finish to claim the 10-kilometre scratch race at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.
The victory came a day after Baker was part of Australia’s team pursuit success and four years after she won three gold medals in Birmingham.
Her five golds equal the Commonwealth Games records of Anna Meares, Matt Glaetzer and Brad McGee.
“I was like, wow, I didn’t realise that statistic. It’s very good company and it’s an honour to be in that list,” Baker said.
Racing alongside fellow team pursuit gold medallists Alyssa Polites and Sophie Edwards, Baker hit the front at the bell and held on to beat New Zealand’s Sam Donnelly, with Scotland’s Erin Boothman taking bronze.
“That was our dream run for me into the final two laps with Alyssa in front of me,” she said.
“She can read the race really well. To know I can put my trust in her, to know when to move, made my job really easy.”
Polites said she was proud of her role in setting up the win.
“I saw a clear run and backed myself to go with the leadout and I knew G could finish it off at the end because she’s a phenomenal rider and I’m glad she got it,” the 23-year-old said.
Baker’s historic win came hours after fellow Tasmanian Felicity Wilson-Haffenden was disqualified from the individual pursuit.
The 21-year-old from Glendevie recorded a time that briefly set a Commonwealth Games record, but officials ruled that tape on her shoulder following a previous dislocation caused a change to her body shape that breached racing rules.
AusCycling called the outcome “extremely disappointing” and said its full support was with Wilson-Haffenden.
Baker is set to contest the 25km points race final early on Sunday morning.
