The AusCycling Track National Championships was contested over five days of cycling action at the Anna Meares Velodrome from 24-28 March.

Plowright storms to triply gold in team pursuit, omnium and points races

Victorian powerhouse Jensen Plowright prevailed in three events, with an exciting skirmish with Queensland’s Liam Walsh to win gold in the elite men’s omnium.

Plowright, an Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy member, hit the ground running from the get-go in the four-race omnium with a second place in the scratch race early in the day.

Walsh battled back in the tempo round courtesy of a spirited lap gain on the field. However, Plowright balanced the ledger with a win in the elimination race at the beginning of the night session.

A Queensland versus Victoria battle ensued in the deciding points race, but Plowright’s ability to find an extra turn of speed proved too much for Walsh, who settled for the silver medal.

The win gave Plowright a second gold for the Championships after he guided Victoria to team pursuit gold on the opening day.

Moran wins elite women’s point race on the final lap

A South Australian onslaught from Chloe Moran and Amber Pate in the 100-lap points race capped off an exciting night of racing on Day 3.

Pate led the points for most of the race, only to have Moran take the title away from her at the final double-points lap finish after an opportunistic surge off the front with fellow South Australian Kat Chung-Orr.

The win secured Moran’s maiden individual elite national title and added to the team pursuit title she claimed on the opening day with South Australia

Leahy wins race against a clock

​A nail-biting elite men’s individual pursuit gold medal final duel between the Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy duo of Conor Leahy and James Moriarty captivated the Anna Meares Velodrome crowd.

Leahy, who broke his collarbone only five weeks ago, took command early in the 4000m battle, but Moriarty fought back to reduce the time split at the halfway mark. But the gap was too much of a mountain to climb for Moriarty in the back half of the race, as Leahy charged to back-to-back national titles.

The elite women’s individual pursuit was also a special occasion for a very different reason, with National Road Series rider Samantha de Riter claiming a maiden track national title.

Second-ranked qualifier De Riter proved too good for Australian Cycling Academy Podium Potential Academy member and former junior world champion Lauren Perry in the final as she stormed to her first green and gold jersey.

“I had a bit of a faster schedule in mind, but the legs weren’t quite there. I crashed five weeks ago and broke my collarbone … to come here and win that race, yeah, I’m pretty happy. I went out really hot maybe expecting a bit more than I had in the legs but to hold off in the end feels pretty special.” – Conor Leahy
​

Birthday joy for Martin-Wallace

Alexandra Martin-Wallace made it a birthday to remember on day 5 of the 2021 AusCycling Track National Championships, claiming a big win in the elite women’s scratch race.

Queensland’s Martin-Wallace had toiled hard all week-long for no podium reward but was able to turn her fortunes around in the final elite women’s race of the program.
Zipping up the green and gold jersey was a special moment for the Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy member, who was celebrating her 21st birthday.

The South Australian duo of Moran and Breanna Hargrave rounded out the podium in the silver and bronze medal positions.

Edwards wins maiden individual national title

Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy member Sophie Edwards scored a milestone win in the gruelling elite women’s omnium, the first individual national title of her career.

The South Australian was neck and neck with Queensland’s Alexandra Martin-Wallace in the scratch and tempo portions of the omnium but asserted her authority on the field with a classy win in the elimination race.

Edwards was then placed under the microscope by 2021 U23 national road champion Emily Watts’ unrelenting attacks in the final points race.

Watts persisted with attacks as the lap count dwindled, but Edwards' talent shone through to the finish to comfortably win the omnium green and gold jersey.

Edwards’ gold medal is her second of the Championships and continues South Australia’s dominance in this week’s elite women’s events.

The finish of the points race was heartbreak for Martin-Wallace, who lost her bronze medal finish to Tasmanian and fellow Podium Potential Academy member Lauren Perry on a countback after the final sprint.

Frislie triumphs in chaotic elite men’s scratch race

A frenetic elite men’s scratch race with entertainment from start to finish shut the curtains on a super Saturday at Anna Meares Velodrome.

Victorian Graeme Frislie emerged unscathed and first across the line in a ferocious scratch race that had the crowd on the edge of its seat.

From the gun, the pressure was on for the elite men courtesy of a daring but unsuccessful attempt to gain a lap from Haddon Kilmartin.

The intensity never wavered and would culminate in a series of courageous one-out attacks by firstly Jordan Villani and then Josh Duffy, who looked at one stage to have the win all wrapped up.

A rapid chase led by eventual silver medallist Oliver Bleddyn reeled Duffy back in on the final passing of the back straight, leading to a moment of chaos which ended with Frislie crossing the line for the national title and Blake Agnoletto, Declan Trezise and Jensen Plowright laying on the Anna Meares Velodrome boards.

All three riders were thankfully unscathed from major injuries in the incident.
​

The AusCycling Track National Championships was contested over five days of cycling action at the Anna Meares Velodrome from 24-28 March.

Clonan claims triple crown on hometrack

Queensland’s sprint queen Kristina Clonan notched a trifecta of individual national titles after winning the elite women’s keirin, sprint and time trial, plus grabbing silver in the team sprint. 

In the keirin, the Podium Potential Academy's Clonan hit the front early in the keirin 1-6 final and never wavered in speed despite a valiant effort from Felice Beitzel, who would finish second, as well as Lara Tucker. The sprint sensation has a chance to win a fourth gold medal today in the elite women’s team sprint as a member of the Queensland team.

“I saw Lara come around and thought, oh, this is going to hurt, and it did – but yeah, it was good. It was a proactive race with people trying things. This is the place to try it, and I just think that’s great. I just love when people are gutsy.”

In the sprint, the Queenslander overcame her idol and mentor Kaarle McCulloch in the semi-final before defeating South Australia’s Breanna Hargrave in the gold medal final.

​“Kaarle is my idol, and when I switched over (to sprint), she was a really great mentor for me and really took me under her wing so I’m forever grateful. To race against her is just awesome.”

Cornish powers under a minute; claims dual crowns 

Thomas Cornish, a member of the Australian Cycling Team’s Podium Potential Academy, scorched the track with a time of 59.598secs en route to winning the elite men’s 1000m time trial title.

The history books were rewritten on the opening night firstly through the Victorian under 19 women’s team pursuit outfit smashing the clock with a time of 4mins 32.984secs.

“I’m absolutely stoked to have gone under (the minute) by half a second almost … it’s unbelievable – I can’t really describe it to be honest. I was not expecting it.” 

A scintillating performance from sprint Cornish  catapulted New South Wales to the elite men’s team sprint title.

Cornish, the third and final rider in the New South Wales team sprint train, overturned a seemingly unreachable deficit of 1.4 seconds to South Australia in the final pulsating lap of the gold medal final ignited the Anna Meares Velodrome crowd.

The Sutherland Shire speedster posted the fastest final lap split of the day when it mattered most, with a time of 12.748secs.

“Full credit to the boys, they delivered me pretty well, and we were within distance with one to go, and I just went through and managed to bring it home, which was good.

Richo defends sprint crown; double up in keirin

Matthew Richardson successfully defended his Australian sprint title at the 2021 AusCycling Track National Championships in dominant fashion.

The Western Australian’s undefeated run to gold was a display of pure speed and sprinter’s instincts that highlighted his potential to be Australia’s next big star on the track.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic games team member defeated Malaysian and former keirin world champion Mohd Azizulhasni Awang in the gold medal final.

In the keirin, the Malaysian one-two punch of Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Muhummas Shar proved too much to handle with Shar taking gold and Awang the silver. Richardson finished in the bronze medal position and was crowned the national champion.

Cycling's next-generation dreaming of a potential home Olympic Games in 2032 will also be in action, including a dozen from the Australian Cycling Team's Podium Potential Academy. 

​Brisbane's own Kristina Clonan continues her rise through the sprinter's ranks and hopes the home-town track knowledge and crowd support will spur her to defend her sprint crown.

"I'm really excited to be in Brisbane defending my sprint title. Track Nationals was postponed to December last year, so this has been a quick turnaround, but I'm excited," Clonan said.

Clonan will headline the sprint events with Kaarle McCulloch, the London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist and four-time world champion who continues her preparation towards Tokyo.

"To be here amongst riders such as Kaarle, she's been my idol for such a long time, and it's just awesome to get amongst it," Clonan added.

The Queensland Government supports the AusCycling Track National Championships through Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency, and features on the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Track Nationals peddling into town was a great way to showcase Brisbane as Australia's home of cycling.

"As Australia's urban adventure capital with an enviable outdoor lifestyle, Brisbane is the perfect location to welcome Australia's top cycling talent," Cr Schrinner said.

"Our strong cycling culture, safe network of cycle and bike paths, and internationally recognised Anna Meares Velodrome help to cement Brisbane's reputation as a world class events and cycling destination.

"We look forward to the economic boost this event will bring to our city, driving our economic recovery by attracting visitors to stay at our hotels, dine at cafes and restaurants and spend up with local businesses."

About #TrackNats21

​The AusCycling 2021 Track National Championships will feature 38 national titles contested over five days of cycling action at the Anna Meares Velodrome from 24-28 March and headlines the 2021 Brisbane Cycling Festival schedule, which will run 24 March – 12 April.

The Queensland Government supports it through Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency, and features on the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Live Streaming The Championships will be live-streamed via the AusCycling YouTube channel and SBS Cycling Central's Facebook Page:

• Thursday 25 March 2021 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT)
• Friday 26 March 2021 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT)
• Saturday 27 March 2021 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT)
• Sunday 28 March 2021 11am AEST (12pm AEDT)

Official website Visit the official website at tracknationals.org.au

Tickets Available at the door or online tracknationals.org.au/tickets.

Live Results Via the official results page.

Schedule - Gold Medal Finals

Wednesday 24 March 2021

• Elite - Time Trials (M&W), Team Pursuit (M&W)
• Under 19 Team Sprint (M&W), Team Pursuit (M&W), Scratch Races (M&W)

Thursday 25 March 2021

• Elite - Individual Pursuit (M&W), Sprint (W)
• Under 19 - Time Trials (M&W), Madisons (M&W), Keirin (M&W)

Friday 26 March 2021

• Elite – Omnium (M), Team Sprint (M), Points Race (W)
• Under 19 – Sprint (M), Omnium (W), Points Race (M)

Saturday 27 March 2021

• Elite - Sprint (M), Keirin (W), Omnium (W), Scratch Race (M)
• Under 19 - Individual Pursuit (W), Omnium (M)

Sunday 28 March 2021

• Elite - Team Sprint (W), Keirin (M), Scratch Race (W), Points Race (M)
• Under 19 - Points Race (W), Individual Pursuit (M)

Follow via AusCycling social media:

• facebook.com/AusCyclingAus
• twitter.com/AusCyclingAus
• instagram.com/AusCyclingAus
• AusCycling YouTube

The Australian Cycling Team is seeking an experienced Bicycle Mechanic. The successful applicant will need to be based in Adelaide, South Australia, and be skilled in servicing Track and Road bicycles. This role is available to commence immediately and will be on an interim casual basis until the end of 2021. 

Expressions of Interest

The 2021 BMX Freestyle National Championships at Melbourne’s Rampfest Indoor Skatepark on Sunday delivered a high-octane event with world champions, Olympic hopefuls and a record entrant list across junior, elite and masters categories, energising the packed crowd!

WOMEN’S Diehm overcomes wrist fracture to defend title

PODIUM

• GOLD Natalya Diehm
• SILVER Sophie Hildebrand

World number six Natalya Diehm defended her title with a stylish and courageous display.

After suffering a broken wrist in training in February, Diehm was initially ruled out of the Championships. However, she received medical clearance on Thursday after arriving in Melbourne just forty-eight hours before the final.

After hosting a come and try clinic with the next generation of Australia’s BMX Freestylers, Diehm rode to gold while unable to perform at 100% and with a borrowed bike and helmet.

Quotes - Natalya Diehm

“I’m so happy I could actually ride even with a hand injury, just coming off a broken hand. I’m super excited to defend my title.”

“It wasn’t until the flight here that I got medical clearance for the ride, so I didn’t have my bike or my helmet, it was all borrowed, but I did my best and got the gold.”

“All a part of the journey, I’m super excited, can’t wait to get back to 100% and give it my best.”

MEN’S World champion tussle as Martin claims third straight

PODIUM

• GOLD Logan Martin
• SILVER Brandon Loupos
• BRONZE Joshua Matthews

2017 world champion Logan Martin claimed the green and gold national champion’s jersey for a record third time.

Martin’s experience was too good on the day, topping qualifying on the Saturday before delivering two spectacular one-minute runs in Sunday’s final.

Martin’s best score of his two runs was 93-points which gave him the crown, three points ahead of reigning world champion Brandon Loupos (90pts), with Joshua Matthews (87pts) rounding out the podium in bronze.

Quotes - Logan Martin

“It feels amazing to pull on the green and gold (jersey). I was going for the three-peat today, that’s the goal I had set out, to take home another gold. To be Australian champion three times in a row is amazing.

“I’m super stoked on the runs I pulled, pretty much did everything I had planned, one or two things in each run I had to sacrifice, but for the most part that was what I had planned.

“The standard of riding is really going through the roof. The progression rate on BMX Freestyle in Australia is amazing right now. We had an amazing turn out as well, especially after having the year we’ve had with minimal events. To see everyone get behind the 2021 Nationals is amazing.

“Amazing to be back out there after a year of training, we were at home trying to better ourselves to go to the next event and not to have many events over the last year was difficult. It’s really good to get out there and do what we have been practising in the last year.

Melbourne's Rampfest will host Australia's best riders for the 2021 BMX Freestyle National Championships this weekend, including a trio with their sights on the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 2021 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships is open for riders of any age or skill level with national titles and rankings on offer for male and females in Juniors Under 15; Amateur 15 & Over, Master 30 + and Pro/Elite categories.

What is BMX Freestyle?

BMX Freestyle sees riders perform a series of tricks during a '1-minute run' across a ramp-filled course, where tricks are judged based on difficulty, originality, style and execution.

BMX Freestyle will make its debut on the Olympic Games program in Tokyo later this year.

Riders to watch at Nationals

The 2020 AusCycling BMX Rider of the Year Loupos will sport the rainbow jersey as reigning world champion, while the 2017 world champion Martin will be aiming to defend his national crown.

World number six and current national champion Natalya Diehm suffered a broken wrist in training last month, and while originally ruled out of the competition, she has been cleared to ride. 

Event Snapshot
​
2021 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships

​Saturday

9am - 12pm - Open Practice (for all competitors)
12pm - 1pm - Am Practice
1pm - 2:30pm - Am Qualifying
2:30pm - 3:30pm - Pro Practice
3:30pm - 5:30pm - Pro Qualifying

Sunday

9am - 11am - Junior & Masters Practice
11am - 12pm - Junior Competition
12pm - 1pm - Masters Competition
1:15pm - 2pm - Am Finals Practice
2pm - 3pm - Am Finals
3:15pm - 4pm - Pro Finals Practice
4pm - 5:30pm - Pro Finals
6pm - Presentations

Rampfest Indoor Skatepark - 47 Hillary St, Braybrook, Melbourne​

Twenty-one-year-old Maeve Plouffe has etched her name onto one of Australia's most prestigious track cycling honour boards with a sensational record-breaking ride in Adelaide. 
 
Plouffe broke the Australian individual pursuit record while competing in the AusCycling Track Championships - South Australia, eclipsing the existing mark set by Ashlee Ankudinoff during her 2019 World Championships winning ride.  
 
"Being the fastest Australian woman in the history of the individual pursuit is still something I'm wrapping my head around," said Plouffe, who soared around the Adelaide Super-Drome in a time of 3mins 25.44secs to take half a second off the national mark.  
 
Plouffe's last effort in the 3000m individual pursuit came on her World Championship debut in Berlin in February 2020, where she clocked 3mins 26.742secs for the 12-lap event.  

Amazingly, Plouffe broke the record while in the middle of heavy training as part of Olympic preparations.  
 
"This record is something that I have had my eye on since Berlin last year, but in all honesty, I wasn't expecting to break it until at least after the Olympics on full preparation and taper. With Tokyo only six months away, we are training heavily, which means there are very few opportunities to freshen up and test the legs against the clock. 
 
"But when my coach Glenn (O'Shea) gave me the option to race the State champs, I jumped at the chance because I find that the individual and team pursuit skillsets translate across very nicely, so any opportunity to practice suffering against the clock is an invaluable one!  
 
"Racing an individual pursuit can be nerve-racking because it truly is a truth race — there's no hiding, hence why it's so beneficial to use it to assess how you're progressing."

Plouffe joined an exclusive list that have broken both the Australian record and the 3min 30-second barrier in the past two decades. It also includes a trio of world champions in Ankudinoff, Rebecca Wiasak and Katie Mactier, and multiple national champion Annette Edmondson.  
 
"With no specific prep, I was mostly interested in seeing where I was "at" in this phase of our prep, which makes the record even cooler because it shows that our Australian women's cycling squad has really stepped up to an unprecedented high in the last year.  
 
"We still have a lot of work left to do, so I'm eager to see how much we can improve as a squad between now and the Games!" 
 
After taking up cycling in 2015 at the age of 14 after taking part in long-distance ocean swimming, Adelaide's Plouffe claimed several medals on both the road and track in the under 17 endurance ranks. 
  
She made her debut in the green and gold for Australia at the 2017 Junior (Under 19) Track Cycling World Championships. In her first year in the elite ranks in 2018, Plouffe joined the Australian Cycling Team's Podium Potential Academy for its inaugural class.  
  
"Over the last two years, I've seen the most challenges physically and mentally than I think I ever have in my career, but they have also been the most rewarding. Although I have a long way to go, I think I've matured and come into myself as an athlete over the last year.  
 
"There is a big difference between training to be a generally good athlete in most areas to training to perfect a particular role or event. I've found that moving towards the latter has really caused my times to drop substantially. Being around my more experienced teammates and support staff has taught me the little things that really do separate the good from the best!  ​

Becoming a train-on member of the Podium endurance squad late in 2019, Plouffe excelled with five Oceania Championships medals in October before stepping up to the World Cup level where she won team pursuit gold and silver.  
 
But despite the success, Plouffe was considered an outside chance of receiving a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games team selection due to the strength of Australia's women's endurance ranks.  
 
"It's been daunting at times — I wasn't originally in contention for an Olympic spot, but I knew deep down that if I would regret not pushing hard for an opportunity to put my hand up for selection. I'm grateful for the coaching staff at the Australian cycling team for giving me a chance.  
 
After a strong debut at the UCI World Championships in February 2020, Plouffe received her maiden Olympic team nod alongside experienced riders Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson.  
 
"The selection process was brutal because the depth of talent in the women's track endurance field is outstanding — I was thrown into a new team racing 10+ seconds faster than I've ever been before, which took a lot of mental resilience.  

With the Games postponed just a few weeks later, Plouffe revealed the roller coaster ride, followed by the COVID-19 interrupted 2020, has taught her to be more relaxed.  
 
"Although a delayed Games due to COVID was a disappointment, a positive was that I at least had a few months to breathe and reset after what was a stressful selection period. A whole extra year to prepare as a young athlete is invaluable, especially for me because it gave me more time to mesh with my new team." 
 
And while she has a full schedule of training and racing with the Australian Cycling Team, and also ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast on the road, as she prepares for the Games, Plouffe still finds time to improve in other areas of life by completing a dual Science / Law degree. 
 
"During 2020, I also was able to take on a full-time study load in my double degree because I knew we wouldn't be travelling for races. Overall, I feel so much more relaxed and set up for Tokyo 2021 — there has been a lot of hard work put in, now it's up to us to execute as a team!" ​​

International Women’s Day is on March 8 and is a time to celebrate the extraordinary roles played, acts of courage and determination, and achievements by women across the world.

Across Australia, there are thousands of superwomen in the sport of cycling, from world-beating athletes, coaches, administrators, commissaires and local club legends who are the heartbeat of the cycling community.

For the first time, AusCycling has been united under one organisation for all the cycling disciplines and clubs, an organisation that will provide more opportunity for our women than ever, for equality, and for positive change.

Join Olympian and world champion Kate Bates as we celebrate International Women’s Day by chatting to seven of our amazing women in AusCycling.

Guests:

Marne Fechner: CEO of AusCycling - the first-ever female to run the sport of Cycling in Australia
Maeve Plouffe: Australian Cycling Team endurance cyclist - targeting Tokyo while studying a dual degree
Jessica McClelland: Vice President of the Hawthorn Cycling Club - is nurturing grassroots women’s participation
Lynne Munro: Australian Cycling Team Olympic Fast Track Program Coach championing for more female coaches
Natalya Diehm: BMX Freestyle trailblazer shining a light in a male-dominated discipline
Kimberly Conte: UCI Commissaire & World Tour Event Director, one of only a handful of female race directors worldwide
Rebecca McConnell: Aiming for a third Olympics, and has spent a decade on the world pro mountain biking tour
​
#LetsRideTogether #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge

​
As part of AusCycling’s objectives to select athletes and continue to deliver medal winning performances internationally in Olympic and Paralympic cycling events, we are seeking passionate and experienced individuals from within the cycling community to be part of the formal selection process for Elite, U23 and U19 level National Teams. 
As a member of a National Selection Panel, and in accordance with AusCycling’s Selection Policy, the Discipline Specific Independent National Selector will be one of five (5) National Selectors that include the Performance Director and National Coach, ensuring the best athletes are selected in a transparent manner. 
AusCycling is now accepting Expressions of Interest for a number of Discipline Specific Independent National Selector’s to be appointed to our 2021 National Selection Panels (1 independent selector per panel): 

• Esport (2021 UCI World Championship Selection Panel) 
  
• Junior Road (2021 UCI World Championship Selection Panel) 
  
• MTB DHI (2021 UCI World Championship Selection Panel) 
  
• MTB XCO (2021 UCI World Championship Selection Panel; and Tokyo Olympics Nomination Panel) 
  
• Track (2021 UCI World Championship Selection Panel; and Tokyo Olympics Nomination Panel) 
  

Interested applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to submit an online Expression of Interest Form and forward a copy of their resume to Sue Henry, sue.henry@auscycling.org.au by Friday, 12 March 2021 
See complete Expressions of Interest 
* Interested parties should note that this is a voluntary role that does not attract any remuneration. 
.

With five months until they will wear the green and gold together at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Australian Cycling Team battled each other for the national champion jerseys in the Madison at the weekend.

Ashlee Ankudinoff & Alexandra Manly, plus Leigh Howard & Sam Welsford claimed the 2021 AusCycling Madison crowns in thrilling races held at the Adelaide Super-Drome.
​
The Madison is one of only six track cycling disciplines on the Tokyo Olympic Games program, with the women's event set for its Olympic debut.  

The event features two-riders teams looking to secure points throughout the race, including exciting changeovers between the pairings completed by a hand-sling. 

QUOTES  
 
Ash Ankudinoff: “We knew that coming into this race that we just had to be consistent and be present in all the sprints and that was how we were going to win it. We made sure in the last 50 laps we made sure to put each other in strong positions so we could make the most of the opportunities to get those 5 points.”  
 
Alex Manly: “It was nice to pair up with Ash, because in the past she’s beat me for the title. It was really nice to be able to do it together. By the time we came to the final sprint we were pretty stoked to have done it!” ​

QUOTES 
 
Sam Welsford: “Gnarly race! I think everyone was still questioning the scoreboard at the end as you saw. We knew Plapp and Jensen were up the track and we knew we didn’t have to worry about the last sprint, just get around the pack and score a point to win on count-back. I just knew there was another lap, so I had to keep going again. I think the best thing about it is that it could have gone either way in the top three teams, so it just shows the depth we have in the Madison.”  
 
Leigh Howard: “Sometimes it’s difficult when you’re competing against your own teammates but we all try and walk away happy with each other. It’s pretty easy to have arguments in races, and so far, we’ve always walked away mates at the end of it and that’s far more important than any results.”   ​

Australian Cycling Team athletes in action at the 2021 AusCycling Madison National Championships in Adelaide (Saturday 27 February) with less than 150 days until the Tokyo Olympic Games. 

Australian Cycling Team athletes will continue their countdown to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on the track in Adelaide this Saturday when they contest the 2021 AusCycling Madison National Championships.  

The Madison is one of only six track cycling disciplines on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games program, with the women's event set for its Olympic debut. The event features two-riders teams looking to secure points throughout the race, including exciting changeovers between the pairings completed by a hand-sling. 
​
With just five months until the Games, and after a 2020 season that offered little racing opportunities, Australia's athletes are eager to hit the track after a summer on the road at the Santos Festival and Cycling and the AusCycling Road National Championships.  ​

​
Dual reigning Madison national champion Kelland O'Brien (VIC) will be gunning for a third straight crown and will partner with two-time champion Cameron Meyer (WA). Just three weeks ago, the pair produced an epic battle in the men’s road race where Meyer edged O'Brien on the line to claim the crown.  
​
The Championships, the first elite AusCycling Nationals for 2021, was relocated from O'Brien's hometown of Melbourne to the Adelaide Super-Drome due to the recent COVID-19 situation in Victoria.  

"Although itis always a good event at Melbourne Arena, I'm quite excited about racing in Adelaide! Change of scenery, and I think the different track will create a different race,” O’Brien added.  

"This weekend will be one the last track races before the Olympics, so obviously, there's a bit of natural pressure to get some good sensations out there! We (athletes) love that feeling, though!"  

Key teams to watch include Samuel Welsford, who paired with O'Brien to claim the 2020 title - and three-time world champion Leigh Howard (VIC), plus the young gun pairing of Luke Plapp (VIC) and Jensen Plowright (VIC).  

Cameron Meyer (Team Bike Exchange) secured back-to-back victories in a thrilling photo finish to end an epic 185-kilometre men’s road race, the final event at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships, in Buninyong on Sunday.  

In one of the most exciting finishes to a men’s road race in the Championship’s history, Meyer, 33, reeled in his Australian Cycling team and Tokyo Olympic track teammate Kelland O’Brien (InForm TMX Make) on the finish line to take the gold.  Scott Bowden (Tasmania) rounded out the podium.  
​
“I drew every bit of thirteen years’ experience to pull that one off,” said Meyer. “Every lap I thought I was in trouble feeling like this wasn’t going to happen. 
“That finish is one of the hardest to get right, everyone was legless, I was legless.  

“I had to bring everything out there today because I had some shocking laps in there and I was hurting! But you never know what you can pull off.” 

There was plenty of action in the early laps of the 16-lap race, with O’Brien featuring in the early breakaway of ten riders. Sam Welsford bridged the gap to the group at the halfway mark with Brendan Johnston and the pair blazing away to form a decent lead. 

Kell O’Brien and Team Bike Exchange’s Alex Edmondson formed a chasing duo, however, it was individual time trial gold medalist Luke Plapp (InForm TMX Make) and Chris Harper (Team Jumbo Visma) who caught the leaders.  

It was there when 20-year-old Plapp, Tokyo Olympic Track teammates with Meyer, Welsford, and O’Brien, took the road race lead with six laps remaining.  

Harper then set his sights on Plapp, with O’Brien sticking close by to protect his teammate. The leading group turned into four as Harper, O’Brien and Seb Berwick (Israel Start Up Nation) joined Plapp as they hit the climb for the third last time.  

By the bell lap, it was Harper leading O’Brien with a 37–second gap on the chase group featuring Plapp, Meyer, Durbridge, Nick White (Team BridgeLane), Seb Berwick, and Bowden. The group became one on the final lap, and produced an enthralling game of cat and mouse over the final few kilometres, before a thrilling finish in front of the crowds lining the streets of Buninyong. 

“Oh my god, I get to keep the (green and gold) jersey for another year, I can’t believe it!” said Meyer. “I pulled that off because of Luke Durbridge!” 

“He is unbelievable, somehow, we just pulled off a miracle. I thought we were gone and buried; I have no idea how to explain that. 

“That was a nail-biting race, somehow it panned out for us. We thought we were done, the team committed to me and I didn’t feel that good with four to go but somehow, we dug deep and pulled off the miracle.” 

Meyer is hoping to have more opportunities to wear the green and gold after COVID heavily impacted the racing calendar in 2020. 

“Last year was such a highlight after I finally ticked this off the list,” Meyer said. “This was my thirteenth time in the seniors in the elites. I didn’t get to race in the green and gold as much as I would’ve liked last year so fingers crossed the pandemic goes away so I can get a few more races in.” 

Meyer also paid tribute to his Australian Cycling Team track squadmates after the race.   

“I need to retire soon before they get any better because they were unbelievable here,” he said. “I am hearing Welsford is off the front, then Plapp, then Kell. 

“I’ve been training within the last month and I knew they had great form. You saw that at Santos Festival a couple of weeks ago. Today they fell short, but they’re going to be around for many years and I’m sure you’re going to see them on the podium say a few times.” 

2019 team pursuit world champion O’Brien was pleased with his performance on one of road cycling’s biggest stages.  

“I think the Australian Track riders get pigeonholed a little bit, but I think this week we really showed everyone that the track riders can perform on the road as well,” said O’Brien.  

“I’m happy with the overall results of the weekend. I wanted to win, and I came here with the mindset of winning. So, it’s a bit bittersweet running second, but I’ll now use that to motivate me for the future.” 

2016 Olympic mountain biker Scott Bowden, contesting his first race in twelve months after a year of injury and illness, was over the moon with bronze while riding as an individual without the support of teammates. 

“It was super brutal out there, but I was pretty keen for a hard race given I was racing as an individual,” Bowden explained. 
​
“I haven’t contested a bike race in over 12 months, so I just wanted to come over and give it a crack and in the end I’m glad I did.” ​

Team Bike Exchange’s Sarah Roy, 34, stole the show on Sunday with a phenomenal victory in the women’s elite road race at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Buninyong. 

Roy’s teammate Grace Brown secured a one-two for Australia’s Women’s WorldTour outfit Team Bike Exchange, with Trek Segafredo’s Lauretta Hanson completing the podium with bronze. 
​
“I am feeling a sense of disbelief because I didn’t expect this today,” said Roy, who claimed the national criterium crown in Ballarat in 2014. “But I think that’s what makes it more exciting and makes you more emotional, I can’t believe it.” 

Beginning in near-freezing conditions, a field of 94 women set out on the 104.4km race, with the action warming up from the first of nine laps when Hanson attacked as the peloton hit the Mt Buninyong climb.  

Joining her was Roy, 2015 champion Peta Mullens (Roxsolt Liv SRAM), Matilda Raynolds (Specialized Women’s Racing), Kathryn McInerney, and Georgia Baker (Australian Cycling Team).  

The group opened a gap of nearly five minutes on the peloton before Roy attacked over the top of the climb at the midway point of the race.  

As the lead group splintered, Roy and Hanson moved to a lead of two minutes to the main chasing group, before Roy then shook clear of Hanson with three laps remaining and rode solo to a maiden road crown. 

“I still can’t believe it, I honestly didn’t expect this coming here today especially with the summer I’ve had, it just wasn’t a consideration for me at all to take the jersey,” said Roy, who will now wear the green and gold champion’s jersey in 2021.  

Despite the Team Bike Exchange car letting their rider know the title was hers inside the final kilometre, Roy never let up. 
​

“You can never have confidence on this course, anything can happen. You can just get pipped on the line so it’s not one to ride around feeling like you’ve got it.  

“So, I never felt that way even when with one kilometre to go when my car came up and said ‘you’ve got it’. But with 200 metres to go, I’m still checking my shoulder just in case. I never thought I had it in the bag until I crossed that line,” Roy added. 

After winning the Australian criterium championships in 2014, Roy was signed by Orica-Greededge, now Team Bike Exchange. Despite collecting several wins on the women’s tour over the past few seasons, Roy had spent previous women’s road national championships in support roles to former winners such as Amanda Spratt.  

“People have just presumed this course doesn’t suit me, but I’ve always thought it can suit me,” Roy said. “But I’ve always had this quiet little self-belief with thiscourse that one day I want to crack it. 

“I didn’t think it was going to be today, but I took advantage of my team role and that was to be in the break. I pushed the breakaway out a bit further and it paid off.” 

Team Bike Exchange made it a gold and silver double after a brilliant supporting ride from Grace Brown who stayed in the peloton with Lucy Kennedy and marked the dangerous riders such as 2019 champion Sarah Gigante (Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank) and ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast young gun Ruby Roseman-Gannon.  

After a successful team effort to protect Roy’s lead, Brown dashed the podium as she outsprinted Lauretta Hanson, Emily Watts (KOM Financial Knights of Suburbia) and SASI’s Amber Pate in the battle for the podium.  

“It’s always awesome to be up on the podium with your teammate,” said Brown, the 2018 and 2020 bronze medalist. “I’ve come third here twice, so it’s nice to increase that too. Hopefully, one year I can actually be on the top step, but I’m pretty stoked for my teammates to have won this today.” 

Third-placed Lauretta Hanson (Trek-Segafredo) was surprised but ecstatic with her podium appearance.  

“This a really tough course. Buninyong is a challenging climb and I’m not necessarily known for my climbing,” Hanson said. “My tactic was to get ahead of the race, and my teammate Chloe Hosking and I both wanted to be aggressive and see what opportunities unfolded. 

“I’m really excited to get a medal today. It’s not something I expected from a race like this.” 

A superb effort from rising star Emily Watts saw her cross the line in fifth place to claim the under 23 national title.  
​
“I feel pretty stoked because I’ve never felt like this before,” Watts explained. “As I crossed the line, I had no idea I had won the under 23s category, so when I notified of it, I was pretty shocked.” ​

An Olympic medallist, three-time world and seventeen-time national champion on the track, Annette Edmondson added a maiden road title to her resume after winning the elite women’s criterium at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat.

As they have multiple times on the track in the team pursuit, Edmondson worked in unison with her Australian Cycling Team women’s track endurance teammates in Alex Manly, Georgia Baker and Ashlee Ankudinoff to seal the win.

“I really wanted to make this one work; I didn’t know if it might be my last opportunity,” Edmondson said. “So, I put my hand up to be the lead-out and luckily I had a really strong team in Ash Ankudinoff, Alex Manly and Georgia Baker who allowed me to just focus on myself at the back, relax as much as possible and trust they would control the bunch and luckily my legs were good enough at the finish.”

Edmondson was ahead of a crash which brought down several riders in the sprint to the finish, and after holding the wheel of Manly, an impeccably timed sprint to the line saw Edmondson take the win ahead of ARA’s Ruby Roseman-Gannon, with reigning champion Chloe Hosking (Trek Segafredo) rounding out a stunning podium.

“I didn’t see the crash as I was on second-wheel behind Alex but I looked back and there was quite a big gap so that meant there wasn’t going to be a big swarm at the finish line,” Edmondson explained. “We were able to stall it and wait as long as we could then Ruby kicked, and I had to go.”

The win even more special for Edmondson following a tough year which saw the cancellation of racing and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“It’s been a really tough twelve months so we’ve just tried to keep the head on as much as we can and keep pushing each week to week and train as if everything is going ahead,” said Edmondson. “I’m at the end now, I didn’t realise I was at the end until the Olympics got postponed and since then it’s just been really tough to try and motivate ourselves without any racing when that’s all we used to do.”

Maeve Plouffe was awarded gold in the under 23 classification after finishing fourth across the line behind the three elite podium placegetters, amazingly recovering from a crash early in the race. 

“It’s a really hectic race when we combine the elite women and the under-23 It adds a whole new dynamic to it because you’re potentially sprinting for fourth like it’s first which is what I was doing today,” said Plouffe.
​
“I was a little bit shaken after that crash I’m not going to lie, especially around that bottom corner, but I’m super happy I didn’t give up in the last straight”

Once rising stars, now leading stars.  Sarah Gigante and Luke Plapp, products of the Brunswick Cycling Club junior development program, claimed the elite individual time trials at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat.  
​
ELITE MEN 

Dreams became a reality for 20-year-old Luke Plapp (InForm TMX Make) when he clinched his maiden elite time trial crown at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat on Wednesday.  

“I dreamed of it, but I saw this coming,“ said Plapp, the reigning champion in the under 23 category who elected to race in the elite ranks as he continues his rapid rise in the sport.  

“It’s been a massive goal of mine, and I’m just proud to cross the line in first because this is pretty special.“ 

It was a triple treat for Plapp who not only claimed the green and gold champion’s jersey and gold medal, but the course record after blistering the 37.5–kilometre course in a time of 46minutes 0.73 seconds. 

Plapp finished 42 seconds ahead of defending champion Luke Durbridge, with Kelland O’Brien completing the podium.  

“After the first lap, I was told that I was up on most of my competitors and really close with Durbridge, which was within five seconds,“ said Plapp. “So, it did all come down to the last split and for the last lap, I was just told it was really close and to keep going.“ 

“It was a pretty nervous few minutes when I came in because I didn’t have a time yet.“ 

Plapp, who started his cycling journey with Melbourne’s Brunswick Cycling Club junior development program as a nine-year-old, was selected to the Australian Olympic Track Team for the Tokyo Olympic Games at 19.  

Last month he shone at the Santos Festival of Cycling with a superb stage victory while also riding in support of Tour de France star Richie Porte.  

Plapp moved to Adelaide in 2018 to join the Australian Cycling Team track endurance program and was ecstatic to share today’s moment in person with teammates, coaches and friends. 

“I had all of my team around me including my best mate Blake, and it was really good to give him a hug right at the end,“ he said. “I would like to thank my family for coming down, they have always been supportive of me, particularly when I was in Adelaide as well.“ 
​
“Timmy (Decker), my coach, has done everything for me, he lives and breathes it with us, to Ken and Nick who helped build my bike, the team from AusCycling, and my teammates.“ ​

ELITE WOMEN 
​
Sarah Gigante defended her elite and under 23–time trial crowns in resounding style by scorching her personal best time on the Federation University campus in Mount Helen, Ballarat.  
​
20-year-old Gigante posted a time of 40mins 41.12secs, seventeen seconds ahead of the 2019 champion Grace Brown (Team Bike Exchange). The pair dominated the field, with Nicole Frain (Sydney Uni – Staminade) rounding out the podium a further four minutes behind. 

Gigante signed with WorldTour outfit Team Tibco–Silicon Valley Bank for the 2020 season which cut short due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The strong start to 2021 started her domination of the Santos Festival of Cycling in Adelaide.  

However, Gigante revealed multiple reconnaissance trips aided in her success on the Ballarat Road Nationals course.  

“I love coming to Ballarat and Buninyong; it’s like my second home. I’ve been up here quite a lot over the last couple of months doing some national simulations on the courses,“ said Gigante.  

“I did about three (race) simulations, and I was pretty happy when I completed the course a couple of weeks ago when I beat my race time from last year“. 

As for her effort, Gigante was even faster on what is quickly becoming her favourite course.  

“I think I heard someone say my time was two minutes quicker than last year, which I’m pretty stoked about, but it’s lucky I levelled up because Grace (Brown) also levelled up,“ said Gigante. 

Beginning her cycling journey with the Brunswick Cycling Club as a youngster, Gigante launched herself onto the radar at 2018 Championships by winning all three national titles on offer in the under 19 classifications. Twelve months later she stunned the cycling world by winning the elite road crown as an 18-year-old, before winning her first time trial title last year.  

Understandably, Gigante is enjoying her cycling more than ever.  

“I think it’s just super important to love what you do,“ said Gigante. 
​
“Obviously, I wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t love what I do. It’s true you have to push through some difficult times and some pain, but if you love your bike and riding with your mates, that’s the key“. 

UNDER 23 MEN’S  

Conor Leahy (InForm TMX Make) took bronze behind teammate Carter Turnbull (InForm TMX Make) who dominated the under 23 men’s individual time trial event at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat. 

Turnbull completed the 28.6km course in a time of 36 minutes 50.52 secs to claim the gold medal, 45 seconds ahead of teammate Leahy (InForm TMX Make) and Patrick Eddy (Team BridgeLane). 
 
EVENT GUIDE   

More than 1400 cyclists from across Australia will descend on Ballarat this week for the AusCycling 2021 Federation University Road National Championships.   
The five days of action in Ballarat and Buninyong from February 3-7 will feature the time trial, criterium, road race, plus Gran Fondo events.   
In all, 151 AusCycling national champions will be crowned across the elite, under 23, under 19, para, deaf, club and intellectual impairment categories. 40 UCI gold medals will be awarded in the UCI Gran Fondo World Qualifier events in the road race and time trial.   

SCHEDULE  
The coveted green and gold national champion’s jerseys on offer in the criterium, road race and time trial, plus Gran Fondo, across five days of action.  >>> roadnationals.org.au/schedule   

START LISTS & LIVE RESULTS  
Visit the website’s official live timing page to stay up–to–date with all the action live from the Championships. >>> roadnationals.org.au/startlist-results 

BROADCAST/LIVE STREAM   
The AusCycling 2021 Federation University Road National Championships will feature domestic coverage on SBS and FoxSports Australia, and for the first time, international broadcast coverage through the Global Cycling Network. >>> roadnationals.org.au/tv-live-stream-guide    

SPECTATOR GUIDE  
To ensure everyone’s safety in attendance, we’ve taken steps to safeguard The Federation University Road National Championships is a COVID Safe event. >>> roadnationals.org.au/spectate/   ​

AusCycling is pleased to release the selection criteria for the 2021 Junior Road World Championships and the 2021 Road World Championships, scheduled to be held in Flanders - Belgium in September of this year. 

To learn more about the specifics, please consult the Selection Criteria section of this website which is to be read in unison with the UCI selection and appeals policy. 

Visit the Selection Criteria section of this website to view documents. 

Women's Recap

Gigante claimed an incredible and fully deserved overall Santos Festival of Cycling Tour victory with the 20-year-old's GC lead never in any doubt during the final-stage criterium raced in 41-degree temperatures in Adelaide.

“What a perfect week it really was,’’ Gigante said after back-to-back-stage wins set her up to propel her atop of the podium during Santos Festival of Cycling. “I’m not the best crit (criterium) rider but I wanted to repay them (my teammates) back for all the work they have done all week.

Gigante was fifth in the opening stage before launching to a GC lead of more than two minutes following a dominant solo victory on Stage 2. 

Gigante again stole the show in Stage 3 with a second solo stage victory, more than one minute ahead of Lucy Kennedy. 

On the final stage of the, Gigante took on the role of domestique for the day, making way for Garmin Team Australia teammate Georgia Baker to take the win.

Lucy Kennedy was second overall on GC and Podium Potential Academy member Ruby Roseman-Gannon was third. 

WOMEN'S GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Sarah Gigante (AUS) 7h02:01
2. Lucy Kennedy (GEC) +3:12
3. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (ARA) +3:13

The Australian Cycling Team para-cyclists took centre stage at the Santos Festival of Cycling held in scorching 41-degree temperatures at Victoria Park on Sunday.

One of the feature races of the final day of the Festival, Australia's Tokyo Paralympic Games hopefuls in action included Darren Hicks, Carol Cooke, Meg Lemon and more. 

Hometown hero Hicks praised all the riders for keeping it together in the heat, something which the Tokyo Paralympic Games hopeful is preparing for ahead of team selection for the Games. 

“We’ve actually been doing quite a bit of work in the heat chamber just to get ready for what Tokyo would be like and it’s a bit of practice that’s for sure,’’ Hick said. “The whole plan of doing races in the heat is to make us as acclimated as possible for Tokyo.

“It’s warm but it’s something we’ve got used to and what we really ask for is to have a go in front of the crowd and show them what we’re all about.”

In front of about 1300 fans - 50 per cent capacity because of the COVID restrictions - the Australian Cycling Team was back on track at the Adelaide Track League.

Full report at https://tourdownunder.com.au/blog-articles/matthew-glaetzer-on-overcoming-cancer-to-compete-in-the-olympics  

Jack Fletcher fletchermedia.com.au @fletcher_media

This year, you will be able to catch the Santos Festival of Cycling NRS and NRSW races live streamed on 7plus.

In the commentary box will be Australian Cycling Team greats Anna Meares and Robbie McEwen! 

All times below in Adelaide Central Daylight Time

ADELAIDE TRACK LEAGUE
TUESDAY, 19 JANUARY, 2021
5.50pm – 9.05pm 

ZIPTRAK STAGE 1 – SEPPLESFIELD TO TANUNDA
THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY, 2021
Women's: 8.50am – 12noon  
Men's: 1.05pm – 5.00pm 

BIKEEXCHANGE STAGE 2 – BIRDWOOD TO LOBETHAL
FRIDAY, 22 JANUARY, 2021
Women's: 8.50am - 12.15pm
Men's: 1.05pm – 5.00pm 

BE SAFE BE SEEN STAGE 3 – MCLAREN VALE TO WILLUNGA
SATURDAY, 23 JANUARY, 2021
Women's: 9.50am – 11.50am
Men's: 12.50pm – 4.00pm

​TREK STAGE 4 - VICTORIA PARK
SUNDAY, 24 JANUARY
Paracycling: 3.10pm – 3.40pm
Women's: 6.45pm – 8.30pm
Men's: 1.05pm – 5.00pm

Australia’s track stars and Olympic hopefuls will light up the Adelaide Super-Drome on Tuesday 19 January to kick off the week-long cycling extravaganza in South Australia. 

The track event, in partnership with AusCycling, will see Perth’s four-time title world track holder Sam Welsford joined by Leigh Howard, Alex Porter and Kell O’Brien with whom he won the 2019 World Title Winning Team Pursuit. 

Sprinters Matt Glaetzer and Nathan Hart will round out a solid seven-man squad who have all been selected for the Tokyo Olympics this year.

“Incorporating disciplines such as track to the calendar for 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling is really exciting. There is some sensational track talent here in South Australia, in both the men’s and women’s leagues and I’m thrilled to be able to welcome rising stars as well as some very highly accomplished riders,” Men’s Race Director Stuart O’Grady said. 

“We are so fortunate to have a world class facility in the Adelaide Super-Drome and this event will be the perfect curtain raiser to the Santos Festival of Cycling” he added.

The men's endurance squad is coached by Tim Decker who commented, “It’s great to have the quality of athletes here to compete in the Santos Festival of Cycling Track event. During the event there will be multiple World Champions and Olympic medalists in most of the events, therefore the quality of racing will be fantastic to watch.”

The women’s endurance squad is headlined by Australia’s only four-time world champion in the track endurance ranks, Ashlee Ankudinoff, and features Team Garmin-Australia track and road sensations Annette Edmondson, Maeve Plouffe and Georgia Baker as well as Team BikeExchange’s guest rider Alexandra Manly.“

There is something really special about Adelaide summers and track racing. Going back many years they have set the backdrop to incredible nights of exciting racing steeped in tradition.” Women’s Race Director Kimberley Conte said.

“The heat, the speed and rush of the wind as athletes race past all combine to make an incredible atmosphere. Do yourself a favour, when you are in the stands, go to the apex of the turn and look straight down from the railing and feel your heart racing as the riders speed past. I promise you won’t be disappointed!”

“It’s really exciting to be able to expose track racing to fans who may have only been focused on the road racing events previously. I hope it excites as many people as last year, I really encourage everyone to come down and watch and see what track racing is all about!” Maeve Plouffe

2021 Santos Festival of Cycling 

• Ashlee Ankudinoff
• Georgia Baker
• Annette Edmondson
• Maeve Plouffe
• Alexandra Manly
  
• Matt Glaetzer 
• Nathan Hart 
• Sam Welsford 
• Kell O'Brien 
• Leigh Howard 
• Luke Plapp
• Alex Porter

​
Tickets

Tickets for the Adelaide Track League are selling fast and available at www.adelaidetrackleague.com

Tuesday 19 January 2021
Adelaide Super-Drome
State Sports Park, 50 Anna Meares Way, Gepps Cross SA 5094
Tickets: $10

Team Garmin-Australia has joined with AusCycling in announcing a new partnership as they join the 120 strong peloton racing in the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling. 

Led by World Tour star and INEOS Grenadiers rider, Richie Porte, Team Garmin-Australia will be joined by EF Education-NIPPO's James Whelan and four time track world title holder, Sam Welsford, among others. 

“The quality of both the men’s and women’s teams is testament to the passion each of these riders have for racing and starting the 2021 season at the Santos Festival of Cycling,” said Stuart O’Grady, Men’s Race Director.   

“We’re really excited that Team Garmin-Australia have committed to racing at this year’s Santos Festival of Cycling and are looking forward to them bringing their experience and energy to the race.”

The six-member women’s outfit is highlighted by leader and triple world champion Annette Edmondson, with rising stars Maeve Plouffe, Georgia Baker and Trek Segafredo’s Lauretta Hanson.

“We are eager to showcase the quality of racing in Australia with both the men’s and women’s teams, but I’m particularly excited by the strength, skill and experience of the Women’s team,” said Kimberley Conte, Women’s Race Director.  

“To bring in this quality of athlete and some of our future cycling stars is legacy to the Santos Tour Down Under.”

Team Garmin-Australia will join the teams lining up for the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling with a field comprised of National Road Series, Continental and World Tour riders.

“The quality of teams and of the cyclists racing in this year’s event will really put Australian cycling on the map for passionate fans and cycling and sporting enthusiasts,” adds Event Manager, Ryan Healy.

“We are bringing some of the best WorldTour riders and of course the up-and-coming champions to race.  Fans will have the opportunity to watch great racing, but to also watch our future champions in the making.”

Team Garmin-Australia’s participation will offer the race a dynamic element that incorporates riders from the World Tour stage, Commonwealth and Olympic Games and World Champion excellence. The combination of athletic prowess within Team Garmin-Australia is certainly a nod to the multi-faceted nature of the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling.


Team Garmin-Australia: 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling

MEN’S

• Richie Porte - AUS
• Sam Welsford - AUS
• Kelland O’Brien - AUS
• Leigh Howard - AUS
• Luke Plapp - AUS
• Alex Porter - AUS
• James Whelan - AUS

​
WOMEN’S

• Maeve Plouffe - AUS
• Annette Edmonson - AUS
• Georgia Baker - AUS
• Ashlee Ankudinoff - AUS
• Sarah Gigante - AUS
• Lauretta Hanson – AUS
• Neve Bradbury - AUS

More at https://tourdownunder.com.au/2021-event 

AusCycling is pleased to confirm the athletes who will receive memberships to the Australian Cycling Team for 2021

Significantly, the 2021 memberships are the first to be announced under the banner of AusCycling. Formed in November 2020, AusCycling represents all cycling disciplines and riders throughout Australia from club, recreational and commuter riders through to the Australian Cycling Team.

Memberships to the Team are limited and are only provided to athletes who have achieved, or have the potential to achieve, success at the highest level with 65 athletes confirmed across the disciplines of BMX Freestyle (3), BMX Racing (4), Mountain Bike Cross Country (1), Para-cycling (15), Road (13), Track Sprint and Endurance (15), and Podium Potential Academy (14).

Athletes are categorised as Podium, Podium Ready and Podium Potential based on their current level of performance, and their future potential to achieve Podium Performances in Olympic events at major championships. Support for the athletes varies according to the discipline. About the Australian Cycling Team Pathway.
Memberships are reviewed annually following the pinnacle event for the year, which for 2020 was to be the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the COVID-19 Pandemic causing significant disruptions and cancellations to the 2020 sporting calendar, the pinnacle event for 2021 will be the rescheduled Tokyo Games.

The Podium Potential Academy, now into its third year of operation, will focus on the long-term development of Track Sprint and Endurance athletes and success at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.

Also underpinning the Team is the national High-Performance Network of state institutes and academies which play a vital role in the athlete pathway by identifying and supporting a further crop of nearly 100 categorised Emerging and Developing athletes across Australia.

Simon Jones - Performance Director, Australian Cycling Team

"I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the selected athletes, as places in the Australian Cycling Team are limited and this often means making hard decisions. To the athletes not selected, we encourage you to keep pushing and be ready for opportunities as we do review the memberships annually."

"2020 showed us that we must take our opportunities when we can, to be agile, to be resilient, and that change is a certainty. While 2021 is likely to be very similar, we remain optimistic about the future."

"Looking ahead, 2022 will be very exciting as we will have a home Road World Championships in Wollongong and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Then in 2023, the first World Championships of cycling that integrates all disciplines of Para-cycling, BMX, Road, MTB and Track into a festival of cycling over two weeks."

About the Australian Cycling Team

The Australian Cycling Team (ACT) comprises athletes, coaches and performance support staff in Olympic and Paralympic cycling disciplines, underpinned by Australia's State and Territory High-Performance Network. Principal partners include the Australian Institute of Sport and Santini.

The ACT is part of AusCycling, the peak body for cycling in Australia. AusCycling is affiliated with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and partners with the Australian Olympic Committee; Commonwealth Games Australia and Paralympics Australia.

A full list of partners and supporters can be found here.

Athlete Memberships 2020/2021

BMX Racing - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Lauren Reynolds            WA           Podium Ready 
Anthony Dean                 SA            Podium Ready 
Saya Sakakibara            NSW        Podium Ready 
Isaac Kennedy                QLD         Podium Potential 
                                   
BMX Freestyle - Agreement Period: 1 December 2020 - 30 November 2021                         
Logan Martin                 QLD         Podium 
Brandon Loupos             NSW        Podium 
Natalya Diehm               QLD         Podium Potential 
                                   
MTB Cross-country - Agreement Period: 1 January 2021 - 31 July 2021                          
Rebecca McConnell               ACT          Podium 
                                   
Para-cycling - Agreement Period:  1 April 2020 - 31 March 2021                         
Carol Cooke (Road)                      VIC           Podium 
Alistair Donohoe (Road/Track)     VIC           Podium 
David Nicholas (Track/Road)       QLD          Podium 
Stuart Tripp (Road)                       VIC           Podium Ready 
Amanda Reid (Track)                    NSW         Podium 
Hannah Macdougall (Road)           VIC           Podium 
Grant Allen (Road)                         SA            Podium Ready 
Paige Greco (Track/Road)             SA            Podium 
Darren Hicks (Road/Track)           SA            Podium 
Meg Lemon (Road/Track)             SA             Podium 
Emily Petricola (Track/Road)       VIC           Podium 
Emilie Miller (Road)                      NSW        Podium 
Gordon Allan (Track)                    NSW        Podium  
Stuart Jones (Road)                      NSW        Podium 
Kaitlyn Schurmann (Road)           VIC           Podium 
                                   
Women's Road - Agreement Period: 1 January - 31 December 2021                        
Amanda Spratt        NSW         Podium 
Brodie Chapman     VIC           Podium Ready 
Grace Brown           VIC           Podium Ready 
Sarah Roy               NSW         Podium Ready 
Chloe Hosking        ACT          Podium Ready 
Lucy Kennedy         QLD          Podium Ready 
Sarah Gigante        VIC           Podium Potential 
                                   
Men's Road - Agreement Period: 1 January - 31 December 2021                        
Rohan Dennis                  SA            Podium 
Michael Matthews          ACT          Podium 
Caleb Ewan                     NSW         Podium Ready 
Jack Haig                        VIC           Podium Ready 
Simon Clarke                  VIC           Podium Ready 
Richie Porte                    TAS          Podium Ready 
                                   
Women's Track Endurance - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Ashlee Ankudinoff             NSW        Podium 
Georgia Baker                   TAS          Podium 
Annette Edmondson          SA            Podium 
Alexandra Manly               SA            Podium 
Maeve Plouffe                  SA            Podium 
                                   
Men's Track Endurance - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Cameron Meyer              WA           Podium 
Kelland O'Brien               VIC           Podium 
Alexander Porter             SA            Podium 
Leigh Howard                  VIC           Podium 
Samuel Welsford             WA           Podium 
Lucas Plapp                    VIC           Podium 
                                   
Women's Track Sprint  - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Kaarle McCulloch              NSW        Podium 
                                   
Men's Track Sprint - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Matthew Glaetzer             SA            Podium 
Nathan Hart                      ACT          Podium 
Matthew Richardson        WA           Podium 
                                   
Podium Potential Academy  - Agreement Period: 1 December 2020 - 30 November 2021                         
Alexandra Martin-Wallace   QLD        Podium Potential  
Sophie Edwards                   SA           Podium Potential  
Ruby Roseman-Gannon      VIC          Podium Potential  
Lauren Perry                       TAS          Podium Potential  
Chloe Moran                       SA             Podium Potential  
Conor Leahy                       WA           Podium Potential  
Joshua Duffy                      TAS          Podium Potential  
Graeme Frislie                  VIC           Podium Potential  
James Moriarty                 QLD         Podium Potential  
Jensen Plowright              VIC          Podium Potential  
James Brister                   SA            Podium Potential  
Tom Cornish                    NSW         Podium Potential  
Leigh Hoffman                 SA            Podium Potential  
Kristina Clonan                QLD         Podium Potential