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AAP
Roger Vaughan

Fifth Games gold medal puts Baker in rare cycling air

Australia's Georgia Baker celebrates her gold medal in the women's 10km scratch race. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Georgia Baker could be about to start her own club at the top of Australian Commonwealth Games cycling.

Outstanding team work set the Tasmanian up for the win on Saturday morning (AEST) in the women's scratch race - her fifth Games gold.

After three gold in Birmingham and another in the team pursuit on day one of track cycling in Glasgow, Baker has joined esteemed company.

Georgia Baker
Georgia Baker was thrilled to win the 10km scratch race final in Glasgow. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Anna Meares, Matt Glaetzer and Brad McGee are the fellow members of Australia's five cycling gold club.

And with the points race and elimination to come over the next two days, the 32-year-old could be out on her own.

"You never know - could be," Baker said with a grin.

Felicity Wilson-Haffenden
Australian officials were dismayed at the disqualification of Felicity Wilson-Haffenden. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Baker did not know about the pending milestone until fellow Australian cyclist and good friend Alex Manly messaged her before the scratch race.

"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," she said.

"Just to be alongside (them) is great."

Fellow team pursuit gold medallists Sophie Edwards and Alyssa Polites were faultless and when Polites gave the leadout with two laps left, Baker held on for the win.

"That was our dream run," Baker said.

"I was definitely wanting the finish line to come, that's for sure. I'm so happy."

After three gold on day one, Australia racked up three more wins to dominate the track cycling program.

The faultless execution in the scratch race was also a morale boost for the track endurance women after the frustrating and confusing start to day two.

Teammate Felicity Wilson-Haffenden was disqualified from her individual pursuit bronze medal ride because of her shoulder strapping.

While Edwards was also disqualified because of too much padding in her helmet, it was the Wilson-Haffenden ruling that concerned the Australians.

Not only did it deny their rider a shot at another medal after the team pursuit gold, but team management said there was no explanation from the race judges.

Also setting aside their loss to England in the men's team pursuit Ashes final the day before, Oli Bleddyn led an Australian sweep of the individual pursuit.

He beat Conor Leahy in the final and James Moriarty won the bronze ride-off.

The fourth rider from the team pursuit, Blake Agnoletto, then stormed past brave Scottish rider Mark Stewart to win the elimination race.

While Australia had half the six-rider field in the men's keirin final, Malaysian great Azizul Awang has forgotten more about the event than Leigh Hoffman, Danny Barber and Tayte Ryan know.

Awang, who has strong Australian connections, rode brilliantly to win gold ahead of Hoffman.

In a mark of respect to the rider known as Pocket Rocketman, Hoffman and English bronze medallist Harry Ledingham-Horn put Awang on their shoulders after the medal ceremony.

Hoffman
Silver medallist Leigh Hoffman and Harry Ledingham-Horn with gold medallist Azizul Awang. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

"Azizul is just an inspiration. To lose to him, he's a great of the sport," Hoffman said.

"He knows how to ride a keirin better than anyone in the world."

Gordon Allan also claimed silver in the C2-C3 1km time trial amid another big day for Australia at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

"Australia has so much depth in every event. It's gold fever out here," Hoffman said.

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