Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Ellesse Andrews, Aaron Gate claim gold medal hat-tricks to sign off track cycling campaign

New Zealand has enjoyed another fantastic day at the velodrome at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, bringing home four more medals at Lee Valley VeloPark.

On the final day at the velodrome, the pair of Ellesse Andrews and Aaron Gate both added their name to Kiwi sporting folklore, becoming the third and fourth athletes to win three gold medals at a single Games.

Andrews, 22, won the women's keirin to go with her titles in the sprint and team sprint events, while Gate ticked off victory in the men's 40km points race, after already bringing home gold from the team and individual pursuit.

Track and field icon Dame Yvette Williams and fellow track cyclist Gary Anderson were the first two New Zealanders to win three golds in a single Games, doing so at Vancouver 1954 and Auckland 1990 respectively.

Ellesse Andrews celebrates.
Ellesse Andrews celebrates. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

The results see New Zealand finish their track cycling campaign with 13 medals, eight of them gold, with four silvers and one bronze.

The total haul of 13 medals means New Zealand leave Birmingham as the most successful nation on the track at this Games, beating Australia to the mark courtesy of one silver medal, after both finishing on eight golds.

Andrews claimed her third gold in a thrilling race, beating out England's Sophie Capewell by less than half a second, giving her a sweep of the day after also topping qualifying and winning her races in the heats and second round.

To add to New Zealand's delight, Michaela Drummond also took silver in the women's scratch race, courtesy of a final lap attack after a restart.

Drummond, 24, finished second to England's Laura Kenny, while fellow Kiwi Bryony Botha was forced to retire hurt after the crash - colliding with India's Meenakshi.

To close out the campaign, Gate stormed his way to gold in the points race, while also doing his bit to ensure compatriot Campbell Stewart came away with silver.

Trailing England's Oli Wood, a last-lap overtake from Stewart saw the Kiwi cross the line in first place and earn enough points to leapfrog into second position, as Gate cruised home for gold.

The eight gold medals won at the velodrome in Birmingham surpasses the previous record of six, won at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.