Anna Meares was nursing a corked thigh on Wednesday night after a rear-wheel slip nearly derailed her gold medal ride at the Australian track cycling championships.

The 30-year-old queen of world track cycling won her 30th Australian track title in dramatic circumstances on day one of the nationals at Adelaide's SuperDrome.

Anna Meares. Credit:Adam Trafford

Despite her rear wheel slipping at the start, the SA rider clocked 34.682 seconds and easily beat silver medallist Caitlin Ward (Victoria) who clocked the 35.263.

Meares briefly stalled because of the slipped wheel and did well to stay upright before winning her sixth Australian 500 title.