Outstanding cyclist Matthew Glaetzer shows tactical nous during brilliant displays at the Adelaide SuperDrome

WATCHING Matthew Glaetzer in action two years ago was to think that when this kid learns to put everything together on race day, he will be a scary prospect in international track sprinting.

CYCLING - Track sp Srint cycling - International Track Series at Adelaide SuperDrome. Matthew Glaetzer wins the Men's Sprint Final. Photo Sarah Reed.

WATCHING Matthew Glaetzer in action two years ago was to think that when this kid learns to put everything together on race day, he will be a scary prospect in international track sprinting.

A physical beast with an engine to match — boosted by his ability to ride third wheel in the team sprint — what Glaetzer lacked was tactical nous that only comes with experience.

Well that time might be about to arrive because with each international meet, Glaetzer continues to take giant strides in both his physical performance and tactical execution.

In two days of racing against world-class opposition this week, he is unbeaten in the men’s sprint and men’s keirin at the ITS Adelaide—- all while training through a heavy block on his way to next month’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect about his win in the sprint on Wednesday night was the way he qualified fastest then backed it up in the cat-and-mouse style semi-final and final.

“I’ve always been able to qualify relatively strongly and it’s just getting better over the past few years,” Glaetzer said.

“And it’s really the tactical side of the match sprint racing that has let me down in the past.

“So I’ve been working really well with (coach) Gary West and getting more experience and each race I learn things from it.”

The 21-year-old became a world champion in the team sprint in 2012 then went to the London Olympics where the same trio (along with Shane Perkins and Scott Sunderland) finished fourth.

Matthew Glaetzer wins the men's sprint final at the Adelaide SuperDrome. Picture: Sarah Reed’

“I’ve had a few years of feeling quite a novice at sprinting,” he said.

“I’ve been to two world titles and leading into the Olympics I still felt like I was very new to the sport because I hadn’t raced the sprint that much.

“So it’s getting better, it’s always a process and I’m not perfect but it’s always been the tactical side that has had the most amount of improvement (to make).”

He took a big step in the right direction in Mexico last year when he beat Great Britain Olympic champion Jason Kenny in the race for gold at a world cup.

“It was a great achievement. He wasn’t on his best form, though,” Glaetzer said.

“He qualified mid pack and raced really well. He’s such a great sprinter with the nous that he has on the track.

“He managed to work his way through. It was just I had a little bit of an advantage with leg speed on him.

“But it’s always a battle to beat Jason Kenny.”

Glaetzer has been given a heavy program this week, with only Saturday off from five days of racing so he can do a university exam.

On Thursday night he unleashed a combination of pure speed and tactical smarts to win the men’s keirin at the ITS Adelaide, going to the lead with two full laps remaining and holding off the challengers.

“I’ve just been focusing on the tactical side of it and when you get that right, the results follow,” he said.

“I’m definitely getting better. I’ve gone leaps ahead of where I was a few years ago so it’s definitely encouraging and I’m able to see it unfolding watching other races as well and what they should be doing.”

Originally published as Outstanding cyclist Matthew Glaetzer shows tactical nous during brilliant displays at the Adelaide SuperDrome