Perkins into cycling World Cup semis

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shane Perkins powered into the men's sprint
semi-final at the World Cup track cycling meet in Melbourne on Saturday.
Perkins qualified second fastest, then won his round of 16 and quarter-final without
dropping a heat to book a place in Saturday night's semi-final at Hisense Arena.
The 23-year-old Victorian will go into the business end of the event favourite to
win a gold medal after world record holder Kevin Sireau of France missed the semis.
Sireau was upset by Japan's Tsubasa Kitatsuru in their quarter-final.
West Australian Scott Sunderland was knocked out at the round of 16 stage by Briton
Jason Kenny.
Perkins won Commonwealth gold in the men's sprint in Delhi, and faces Dutchman Teun
Mulder in his semi-final.
Australian Anna Meares backed up from her women's sprint gold medal on Friday night
to cruise through her heat of the women's keirin into Saturday night's second round.
She will also compete for gold in the women's 500m time trial.
Australia's world champion men's pursuit team booked themselves a place in the medal
rounds, going within an ace of cracking the four minute barrier in qualifying.
South Australian Jack Bobridge, Michael Hepburn of Queensland, Cameron Meyer of
Western Australia and Victorian Leigh Howard clocked 4min 00.388sec, with Russia
next best (4:01.511).