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Meares gets buzz from 34th national title

Peerless track cyclist Anna Meares says her 34th Australian title is just like the others - close to her heart.

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Source: AAP


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What does a 34th Australian title mean to peerless Anna Meares?

Plenty, according to the track cycling icon.

"I'm trying to keep ahead of my age," the 32-year-old joked after collecting yet another accolade on Wednesday night.

Meares combined with Steph Morton to win the team sprint on the opening night of the Australian track championships in Adelaide.

It was Meares' 27th senior Australian title, adding to the seven she won as a junior.

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"It always means a lot to me," said Meares, also a dual Olympic gold medallist and 11-time world champion.

"I have been to some pretty big competitions and over a long period of time.

"But national championships, home track, home crowd - they always hold a special place in my heart."

A month out from the world championships in London and with the Rio Olympics looming in August, Meares was a tad disappointed in the winning time - 33.282 seconds - which was still too slick for rivals Rikki Belder and Bree Hargrave.

"Sometimes nationals do get hard because you do train through them," Meares said.

"We have got worlds in four weeks' time so there is a perspective that has to be gained."

Meares felt no discomfort from a back injury suffered last December as she continued her constant search for improvement.

"Always tinkering ... I'm done for if I'm stagnant," she said.

"I have found as I have got older I really have to work on small things like nutrition, stretching, recovery aspects, the sleep part of it.

"Training is one part of it. But the recovery and back-up is more important now.

"I'm not 21 where I can just bounce around and do whatever is asked and turn up the next day and not feel it - I feel it."

In the men's team sprint, world No.1 Matthew Glaetzer featured on a triumphant South Australian outfit with rising star Patrick Constable and Jai Angsuthasawit.

In a break from his norm, Glaetzer rode as second wheel instead of his customary third slot.

"The selectors want to keep every option open ... so I'm just trying something different, I have only done second wheel twice," he said.

"It's a good challenge, making sure I get it right and not disqualify my team by messing up."

The men's 4000m team pursuit final was won by South Australian quartet Alex Edmondson, Miles Scotson, Alex Porter and Callum Scotson, who defeating fellow Croweaters Josh Harrison, Luke Davison, Glenn O'Shea and Rohan Wight.


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