Georgia Baker catapulted herself into Australian cycling royalty by claiming a record-equalling fifth Commonwealth Games gold medal.

The 31-year-old produced a trademark blistering finish to win the 10-kilometre scratch race in Glasgow.

The victory came a day after Baker had been part of Australia’s team pursuit success and four years after she won gold medals in the points race, team pursuit and road race in Birmingham.

The haul of five gold medals equals the achievements of Anna Meares, Matt Glaetzer and Brad McGee as Australia’s most-successful Commonwealth Games cyclists.

“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,” said Baker, who has the points and elimination races still to come over the next two days.

“Just to be alongside (them) is great.”

Racing with her fellow team pursuit gold medallists Alyssa Polites, of Victoria, and South Australian Sophie Edwards, Baker hit the front at the bell and held on to win from New Zealand's Sam Donnelly with Scot Erin Boothman taking bronze.

“That was our dream run for me into the final two laps with Alyssa in front of me,” Baker said. “She can read the race really well. To know I can put my trust in her, to know when to move, made my job really easy. I was able to come over the top and hold on.

“I am so stoked to go out there and execute a race like we did with Alyssa and Sophie.

“I was definitely wanting the finish line to come, that’s for sure. I felt amazing on the bike tonight.”
Baker said the Australian strategy had wrecked to perfection.

“The girls rode amazing. I think we read the race really well and at the end of the day we came out on top and I’m so happy.

“I think it’s important that we read the race, because especially a scratch race anything can happen but our plan was to go in with a sprint finish because we thought that was our strongest way we could win and ultimately we did that. With four (laps) to go there was that opportunity, Alyssa read the race really well, picked the moment and went. I just fully backed her, she was phenomenal and I came round her at the end - so good.”

Polites said she was proud to play her role in setting up the win.

“I was getting ping-ponged on the fence a bit but was just keeping her safe,” said the 23-year-old. “I saw a clear run and backed myself to go with the leadout and I knew G could finish it off at the end because she’s a phenomenal rider and I’m glad she got it.”

Baker, a triple Olympian who hails from Perth and was named the 2022 Tasmanian athlete of the year following her successes at the previous Commonwealth Games, said it was special to have her mum Dearne cheering her on in Scotland.

“She’s definitely got her frequent flyer points up, that’s for sure. She’s travelled overseas a couple of times already this year. It means the world to have her here and also my sister (Phoebe) has made the trip over and just to have them here is amazing. We’ve also got other Aussie families in the crowd and can definitely hear them out there and feel the support from home as well.”

On a dramatic night of mixed emotions for the Tasmanians at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Baker’s historic win came just a few hours after Felicity Wilson-Haffenden had been disqualified from the individual pursuit.

The 21-year-old from Glendevie recorded a qualification time of 4:32.323 which briefly set a Commonwealth Games record and would have been sufficient to progress to the bronze medal ride before the commissaires’ panel ruling was delivered.

The officials deemed that tape which Wilson-Haffenden had on her shoulder following a previous dislocation, caused a “morphological change” to her body shape which is against racing rules.

Fellow Aussie Edwards was also disqualified after commissaires ruled that the amount of padding in her helmet was excessive.

AusCycling subsequently released a statement saying: “These are extremely disappointing outcomes for both of our athletes and our full support is with them as the competition continues.”

Wilson-Haffenden’s time was the fastest by the three selected Australians. Her place in the bronze medal ride-off was passed to defending champion Bryony Botha, of New Zealand, who ultimately lost to Boothman. Anna Morris, of Wales, claimed gold in a Games record of 4:24.272 from Josie Knight (4:30.413), of England.

Baker and teammates Polites and Edwards have been named to contest the 25km points race final at 12.55am on Sunday morning.

Qualifying for the women’s elimination race is scheduled for 6pm on Sunday night with the final six hours later.