“It is a World Record, 3:49.804. They weren’t racing England, they were racing the World, and they beat the World.” One commentator said as the Australian quartet crossed the line in first place at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
At 19-years of age and only just old enough to represent Australia at senior international level, young VIS cycling star Kelland O'Brien combined with Alex Porter, Sam Welsford and Leigh Howard to smash the Men's Team Pursuit world record on their way to Commonwealth Games gold at the Anna Meares Velodrome.
The Australians set a new Games record in qualifying of 3:52.041, more than three seconds clear of second-placed England.
A tactical move from the team saw teenager O’Brien replace former Individual Pursuit World Champion, Jordan Kerby, in the final and the transition was seamless.
The "Ashes on Wheels" took place in the final, but after several tight laps it was clear the Australian quartet had no intention of letting the Old Dart succeed. The Aussies scorched the track in a world record time of 3 minutes 49.804 seconds, shaving nearly half a second off the record which Great Britain set in Rio two years ago.
“The feeling of crossing the finish line and knowing we had won gold was one of the most special moments I have ever experienced.”
“The home crowd has been built up as being extremely loud, that is an understatement, the last kilometer of that race was unbelievable and something I will never forget,” he said.
Kell has been cycling since he was five years old, and loves “getting an adrenaline rush” from the “physically and mentally demanding” sport.
Despite his early introduction to the sport, he was not a prolific winner during his junior years and failed to rack up the results required for official state support. As a result his talents were overlooked and he was never offered a place on the Victorian State team – the foundation for moving up the hierarchy.
The turning point came when Cycling Australia allowed independent riders to compete at the National Championships in 2015.
Riding for only the second time on a new sponsored bike in his favoured event, the 3km Individual Pursuit, Kel had nothing to lose.
Incredibly, in the qualifier he set the fourth fastest time (3:22.573) which was the fastest Victorian by almost a full two seconds. Then in the bronze medal ride, he went all out to catch West Australian Alex Rendell at a pace that could have arguably been good enough for the gold.
It was simply a ride no-one could believe - his strength and speed were incredible and he demonstrated to everyone that he had something else; something that could not be ignored.
Since then, O’Brien has gone from strength to strength and his progress has shown no sign of slowing. National U19 Omnium Champion, Champion of Champions at the 2016 Australian Track Cycling National Championships, World Champion in the Team Pursuit at the 2017 Track World Championships in Hong Kong, personal best times, the list goes on.
As one coach commented, “He’s special, really special”.
