Feb 2nd, 10.  Updated. Australian Jack Bobridge has ridden the second fastest time ever in a sizzling qualifying ride in the 4km individual pursuit at the Australian Championships.

Finals results below, gallery here ...

Jack Bobridge after his impressive ride ©Cycling Australia/John Veage

20 year old Bobridge, who a week ago was riding the Santos Tour Down under with pro-team Garmin Transitions, posted a time of 4min14.427sec knocking six tenths off the time set by Welsh cyclist Gerraint Thomas at the Manchester round of the World Cup in October last year.

The time is also faster than the Olympic record set by Britain's reigning Olympic Champion Bradley Wiggins in Beijing.

The only rider who has gone faster than Bobridge is Chris Boardman, who set the world record time of 4min11.114sec at the 1996 World Championships in Manchester.

But that time was set using an aerodynamic stretched out position that has since been banned which means Bobridge is, effectively, the fastest rider in the world over 4km under the current rules.

"It is fantastic, to come here and do that today, after my form prior to January was a bit off," said Bobridge. "To be able to set a new personal best and quickest time since the superman position is an awesome thrill."

No one was holding Jack back on the track ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"But to come away with the win is the goal at the end of the day."

Bobridge then faced Rohan Dennis in the final. Dennis' qualifying time was 4min15.764sec which was briefly an Australian record until ten minutes later when Bobridge stole the show.

Bobridge takes gold in the final

In the final Dennis went out hard early but Bobridge, trailing by close to a second after one kilometre, then kicked into gear and was .694 seconds faster at the halfway mark.

Bobridge then consolidated the lead and at the end of the 16 laps stopped the clock in 4m16.313sec more than four seconds faster than Dennis who claimed the silver in 4m20.557sec.

"This year at the Tour Down Under, I held myself back a lot and came out here a lot fresher as I have shown that with my times I have produced here," said Bobridge.

"Honestly I don't think I am 100% fit yet, still a little bit off, which is a good feeling for myself knowing I have 6-7 weeks until the World Championships in Copenhagen.

"Considering I have only done three sessions on the track leading into these Championships, I have come out today and surprised myself," said Bobridge who has been preparing on the Super-Drome for the past week.

"It has been perfect conditions for track cycling, so that's why you have seen so many fast times delivered here."

U19 world record breaker Dale Parker ©Cycling Australia/John Veage

U19 world record broken

The Australians had more cause for celebration when Dale Parker broke the World Record for the U19 3km pursuit, a time set by Michael Hepburn, at last year's Junior World Championships.

Parker clocked 3m13.958sec in qualifying to clip more than one and a half seconds off Hepburn's previous mark of 3m15.586sec. Parker went on to win the gold medal rider in a slightly slower time.

Kiwi record

The New Zealand record for the elite individual pursuit is held by Jesse Sergent with his time of 4m16.714s set at last year's NZ Track Championships. 

Sergent won't be at this year's Track Championships, he's racing the Tour of Qatar with his road team, Trek Livestrong.

The Kiwis will get their chance to face the Australians at the 2010 UCI Track World Championships in seven weeks.

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