'I’ve never gone that quick before': Alessia McCaig cashes in on form to win TT title

Rising sprint star Alessia McCaig has sensationally won her first individual elite national championship on Day 3 of 2023 TrackNats, powering to the elite women’s 500m time trial title.

McCaig endured an anxious wait on the track infield as the fourth to last starter in the final, after laying down a personal best time of 33.867 seconds.

When top qualifier Breanna Hargrave crossed the line in 34.111 seconds, the 19-year-old's anxiousness turned to jubilation, as the dream of winning her first solo national championship set in.

“This is very special, I’m super stoked and really happy to pull this off,” McCaig said.

“Obviously Kristina (Clonan) is not here tonight, but you can only race the competition.

“I’ve never gone that quick before. I definitely shocked myself.”

Alessia McCaig looks to the screen to check her time after her 500m time trial. Picture: Josh Chadwick

McCaig’s success comes as no surprise this week, with the Victorian showing she is not afraid to throw everything she can muster at Australia’s top women’s sprinter in Kristina Clonan.

Her current impressive form is matched by a switched-on brain, as shown by her smarts to back it down in the afternoon qualifying session.

“In qualifying, I went about 90 per cent,” McCaig said.

Alessia McCaig's win is the first individual national championship of her career. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“I tried to keep going but didn’t push myself to the limit to leave it all out on the track in the final.”

Queensland’s Molly McGill finished with the bronze medal.

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Feature picture: Josh Chadwick