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Australia Cycling Team keeps its eyes on the prize ahead of Ostend World Cup

24/4/2018

The Australian Cycling Teams takes one step closer to Tokyo 2020 with an experienced team headed off to the 2018 Para-cycling Road World Cup in Ostend Belgium 4 - 6 May.

The team includes defending 2017 dual world champion; Carol Cooke who headlines a star studded the group who are set to take on the world's best. The Australia Cycling Team is also excited to welcome two debutantes also, Kaitlyn Schurnmann VIC) and Stuart Jones (NSW).

Young new comer from Victoria, Kaitlyn Schurnmann is looking forward to her first world cup event.

"Representing Australia is a great honour. I honestly feel very lucky and it still feels a bit unreal... as it's my first World Cup my aim is to gain experience travelling to race and competing on an international level." Said Schurnmann.

After a stand out 2017 season that saw South Australia’s Meg Lemon finish the year with two world cup golds in the time trial, two national titles and a world championship bronze in Pietermaritzburg, she hoping to add to her collection.

“There is nothing better than putting on the green and gold jersey on race day and representing your country. All your hard work, blood, sweat and tears are justified for that very reason and I think it helps you push that extra bit you didn’t know you were capable of, when it matters most. Said Lemon.

She added “Watching the Commonwealth Games has made me really hungry to race for Australia again and hopefully, do what it takes to bring home a medal or two.”

This event is important for the Australia Cycling Team as results count towards 2020 Tokyo Paralympic qualification slots, and it is the last opportunity for athletes to push towards selection for the 2018 Road World Championships, Maniago Italy 2 - 5 August.

2018 Para-cycling Road World Cup Team, Ostend

Carol Cooke (VIC – T2 / St Kilda CC)
Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC – C1 / Geelong CC)
Simone Kennedy (NSW – C3 / Parramatta CC)
Meg Lemon (SA – C4 / Port Adelaide CC)
Hannah Macdougall (VIC – C4 / The Pirates Cycling Club)
Darren Hicks (SA – C2 / Kilkenny CC)
Kyle Bridgwood (QLD – C4 / Townsville Cycle Club)
Alistair Donohoe (VIC – C5 / Blackburn Cycling Club
Stuart Jones (NSW - T2 / Newcastle CC)
Grant Allen (SA – H4 /Port Adelaide)
Stuart Tripp (VIC – H5 /St Kilda CC)
Tandem Pairing: Kieran Murphy (SA – BM / Norwood) Pilot Lachlan Glasspool (SA)

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#GC2018 | Man of Steele!

14/4/2018

Just seven weeks after Steele von Hoff broke four vertebrae in a high-speed racing crash, cycling’s ‘Man of Steele’ has produced a superhuman performance to win the GC2018 men’s road race.

Wearing the green and gold at his first major Games at the age of 30, Von Hoff won a mass sprint to the finish of the 168.3km race at Currumbin Beachfront and teammate Cameron Meyer chased down the leaders over the final 10km. Welshman Jonathan Mould won silver, with South African Clint Hendricks, took the bronze.

The entire Australia team of Von Hoff, Meyer, Matthew Hayman and workhorse Callum Scotson produced a herculean effort to set up Steele’s triumph.

Von Hoff said after the race; “I was so close to not making the cut, there were lots of people checking up on me and Cycling Australia checking up on me after my rehab, it was so good to have all that support.

“I don’t think I’ve absorbed it yet, but I will later on tonight.”

Team mate and GC2018 time trial gold medallist Cameron Meyer finished inside the top 10 in ninth place and was thrilled with the team’s performance to get Steele across the line in pole position;

“It was exactly the tactics we said. We had Steele for the sprint and me for the last lap. Matty (Hayman) set the tempo for me to attack. It’s really clicking.”

“There was pressure – the girls won this morning!” added Meyer.

The man of steel, ?? @Steelervh is all smiles as he accepts his road race gold ? #GC2018 #ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/audYtpAAmJ
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 14, 2018

#GC2018 Perfect plan delivers Australia to gold

14/4/2018

The Australian women’s team executed their pre-race plan to perfection, with favourite Chloe Hosking taking gold in a bunch sprint to end the 112km women's road race on Sunday.

A field of 49 set out for six laps of the 18km picturesque course which began just after sunrise at the Currumbin Beachfront.

Australia’s six-rider team of Hosking, Kat Garfoot, Sarah Roy, Shannon Malseed, Gracie Elvin and Tiffany Cromwell drove the pace at the front of the peloton for much of the first half of the race, with a solid effort from Malseed and Elvin to ensure Hosking was protected in the bunch.

Savour the moment □□@chloe_hosking, you're a #GC2018 gold medallist □

A brilliant team effort from the □□ Aussies ends in a fantastic sprint victory in the women's road race □@HarveyNormanAU #GC2018 #ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/vKM5ivw7gy
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 14, 2018

In a nail biting final lap, the Australians held off several challenges, with Cromwell, Garfoot and Roy delivering Hosking in a clinical lead out to the line, which saw Hosking sweep past the front pack and to gold.

Georgia Williams of New Zealand and Welsh rider Danielle Rowe completed the podium, with Roy and Cromwell in fifth and sixth respectively.

"It's so special to win on home soil ... I'm Commonwealth Games champion and it's a big f---ing deal."

You won't hear a better interview than this.

A truly golden □ performance from □□ @chloe_hosking and the □□ Australian riders. pic.twitter.com/ADbWaMn2lR
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 14, 2018

Hosking had to fight back tears after crossing the line, and credited her five teammates for helping set up her triumph.

"I wish all six girls could have it (gold) on their CV, road cycling is such a cruel sport in that sense and I wouldn't have won today without those girls and I'm so grateful," she said.

The 27-year-old, who placed third in the road race at the 2010 Delhi Games and overcame a serious crash during a race in Europe just two weeks ago, said pride and relief were her over-riding emotions,

"It's so special to win on home soil. People say for road cycling Commonwealth Games isn't that big a deal but you know what? I'm Commonwealth Games champion and it's a big deal.

"I'm so happy and really proud of myself."

What a moment □□@Chloe_Hosking sheds a tear on the podium as the national anthem plays.#GC2018CyclingRoad #ShareTheDream @maccas pic.twitter.com/8PtG9VVwjP
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 14, 2018

Meyer & Garfoot claim gold in the time trial

11/4/2018

WOMEN’S TIME TRIAL

Gold Coast local Katrin Garfoot obliterated the field to win gold in the GC2018 women’s individual time trial, an upgrade from her bronze at the Glasgow Games four years ago.

Garfoot, the heavy hometown favourite, was a class above in the women's event, which was 13km shorter than the men's, coming in at a distance of 25.5km, and included an 800m steep section known as "the beast" en route to the finish line.

Leading at every checkpoint, Garfoot eventually stopped the clock at 35:08.09, almost one minute ahead of silver medallist and defending champion Linda Villumsen of New Zealand, while Scotland's Katie Archibald was fourth.

"I knew I needed to go out hard. I was scared I was going to go too hard. I know the road, I know the lines, I know everything, but it doesn't protect you from the pain.

"It was really exciting to be in front of a home crowd with all my friends and family watching. I've worked hard, and for it to come together for a gold medal is just extraordinary. It has never worked (out) like this before."

Both Meyer and Garfoot will be aiming for a GC2018 golden double when they contest the Road Race on Saturday.

Southport teacher @katrin_garfoot has led a clean sweep of gold medals at the Currumbin road cycling time trials. @7CommGames @MatthewamHoward #7CommGames #7News pic.twitter.com/EiWTjC7dgL
— 7 News Gold Coast (@7NewsGoldCoast) April 10, 2018

MEN’S TIME TRIAL

Meyer delivered Australian cycling’s 11th gold medal of the Games in a dominating win in the men’s time trial.

In hot conditions, Meyer conquered the tricky course in 48 minutes 13.04 seconds to chase down the morning's previous-best time set by New Zealand's two-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Hamish Bond.

The versatile cyclist, who finished fourth in the points race the track on Sunday, mastered the two steep climbs and avoided any drama over the tough 38.5km Currumbin course, while lady luck cruelled the hopes of teammate Callum Scotson who finished in fourth.

Speaking after his gold medal ride, Meyer said, "It's been a while since I've done a time trial and I broke my collarbone in the last one I did, so luckily I stayed upright this time and I couldn't be more thrilled than I am today.

“I've got to thank all the stuff who got behind me and prepared me for
today, they did everything right and my coach Tim Decker who said
'give it a crack'."

"It was only two weeks ago that we decided, it was Tim Decker who knew I had good aerobic form and I was concentrating on the points race which is a 45-minute effort and today is roughly the same," Meyer said.

"And he said 'Cam I reckon you could have a crack in the time trial', and I said 'why not? Let's have a go'. We scrambled a bike together, did my measurements and I had nothing to lose and somehow it paid off."

It was a devastating start for Scotson as he suffered a rear wheel puncture just five minutes into his ride, losing 30 seconds and valuable momentum with the swift wheel change, eventually finishing in 49mins 35.65secs.

“It wasn’t to plan, little my own fault, I didn’t nail the line on the corner and went near the barrier and to the stones. I heard the puncture, but you have to not panic in that situation, you know you’ve lost time, but you had to treat it like it hadn’t happened til it finished.”

“Nothing I would change apart from the puncture, it is a really fast course, I had fun out there.”

.@cammeyercyclist is calling himself an accidental hero, after winning the cycling time trial. https://t.co/xz9WiwqNed @GreenhalghSarah #7CommGames #7News pic.twitter.com/guQBHR0rl8
— 7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) April 10, 2018

#GC2018 Australia celebrates 19 medal haul in brisbane

9/4/2018

Australia finished the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games track cycling competition with 19 medals overall; 10 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze.

GC2018 Australian Medal Tally

GOLD
Women’s Team Pursuit – Annette EDMONDSON, Amy CURE, Alex MANLY, Ashlee ANKUDINOFF
Men’s Team Pursuit – Kell O’BRIEN, Leigh HOWARD, Alex PORTER, Sam WELSFORD and Jordan KERBY
Men’s Keirin - Matt GLAETZER
Women’s Sprint - Stephanie MORTON
Women’s Team Sprint - Kaarle McCULLOCH & Stephanie MORTON
Women's 500m Time Trial - Kaarle MCCULLOCH
Men's 15km Scratch Race - Sam WELSFORD
Men’s 1000m Time Trial – Matthew GLAETZER
Women’s Keirin – Steph MORTON
Women’s 10km Scratch Race – Amy CURE

SILVER
Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit - Rebecca WIASAK
Women's 500m Time Trial - Stephanie MORTON
Women’s Keirin - Kaarle MCCULLOCH

BRONZE
Men's B&VI Sprint - Brad HENDERSON, Tom CLARKE (pilot)
Men's B&VI 1000m time trial Brad Henderson, Tom CLARKE (pilot)
Men’s team sprint - Patrick CONSTABLE, Nathan HART and Matt GLAETZER
Men's Sprint - Jacob SCHMID
Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit - Annette EDMONDSON
Women's Sprint - Kaarle MCCULLOCH

#GC2018 teamwork bags scratch gold for Cure

9/4/2018

Tasmania's Amy Cure won Australia's ninth track cycling Commonwealth gold, prevailing in a perfectly executed 10km scratch race.

Pure precision from Ashlee Ankudinoff, followed by Annette Edmondson and Cure in the final few laps saw Cure power to gold in a stunning end to the 40-lap race ahead of Scottish pair Katie Archibald and Neah Evans.

"It was amazing. I was a bit disappointed yesterday but I came out with a different mindset. The girls backed me and gave me the perfect ride. I can't thank the girls enough. We went with a plan and executed it perfectly,” said Cure.

Australia finished the GC2018 track cycling competition with 19 medals overall; 10 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze.

A ride that was ripped straight out of the textbook.

□□ Australia and □□ @amylcure have perfectly executed the Women's 10km Scratch Race □
#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/lVSZSNCBUz
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 8, 2018

.@SamJaneLane speaks with a VERY happy □□@amylcure! □□#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/worj9MElCW
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 8, 2018

#GC2018 Glaetzer rockets to kilo gold

9/4/2018

Sprint King Matthew Glaetzer finished his heavy Commonwealth campaign with victory in the 1000m time trial.

Glaetzer, who twenty four hours earlier was upset in the men’s sprint rounds, achieved redemption in emphatic fashion, clocking the fastest time ever ridden at sea level, 59.340s.

As the last man to ride, Glaetzer knew he had to beat New Zealander Edward Dawkins's time of 59.928 seconds to take gold. He burst out of the blocks and vaulted himself to maximum speed, crossing the line in a blistering 59.340s.

YES YES YES ?

?? @MatthewGlaetzer with a GR ??????

What an unbelievable come back from the King of the Velodrome ?#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/MjyfldXdo6
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 8, 2018

"It was big today ... after a shocking day yesterday," Glaetzer said.

"I had to regroup, sometimes things don't go the way you plan them. This is really good to come back and prove to yourself that you can do it, get one up for Australia, because I owed them one for yesterday, so I am over the moon.”

Glaetzer finishes the Games with two gold in the 1km TT and keirin, and one bronze in the team sprint.

"I had to get one for #Australia. I owed them one for yesterday". ?

Well ?? @MatthewGlaetzer, you've made this country very proud.

You're the real MVP ?@SamJaneLane #7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/jmnjTGA6cS
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 8, 2018

#GC2018 Morton snares triple crown

8/4/2018

In the space of half an hour on the final night of competition, Australia claimed three gold medals – through Stephanie Morton, Amy Cure and Matthew Glaetzer – to take our overall GC2018 track gold tally to 10.

Stephanie Morton announced herself as a superstar in her own right – not just the next Anna Meares - snaring her third gold medal of the Gold Coast Games.

Morton powered to victory, just ahead of her surging teammate Kaarle McCulloch who took silver.

"Probably equal (best performance)," said Morton of her three gold and one silver medal wining performance” said Morton. "I wanted to win the sprint, team sprint and the keirin. 500 I just wanted to ride a pb. I rode out of my skin to get close to Kaarle.

"I literally ticked every box I wanted to coming into these champs, I'm just so happy.

“There has been a lot of work behind the scenes but we have such a great squad. We've got no prima donnas or people that are hard work and that environment is flourishing on the track,

“We get behind each other and that internal pressure is working wonders – everyone has come out and been really dominant.

WHAT. A. NIGHT!

□□ @StephMorton28 has added to tonight's Gold rush, winning the Women's Keirin Final □

Could we ask for anything more?
#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/Tk8lLJAlIx
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 8, 2018

#GC2018 Henderson & Clarke bronze; gallagher & janssen second

8/4/2018

Para-cyclist Bradley Henderson and Pilot Thomas Clarke picked up the bronze medal in the men’s Tandem Sprint, their second bronze of the game.

Jessica Gallagher and pilot Maddison Janssen finished second in the women's Tandem 1 B&VI 1000m time trial.

Bronze to the Aussies! Brad Henderson and Tom Clarke far too strong for Malaysia in the men's B&VI Sprint.#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/03lK5myR8k
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

#GC2018 Schmid shines with sprint bronze on debut

8/4/2018

Australia won bronze in the men's sprint through Victoria's Games debutant Jacob Schmid who celebrated his second Games medal after winning bronze in the team event on Thursday with Matthew Glaetzer, Patrick Constable and Nathan Hart.

Schmid was too good for Malaysia's Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom in the bronze final, after Sahrom upsetting reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer in the round of 16 in the afternoon session.

□□ Jacob Schmid takes Bronze! Brilliant effort in the men's sprint. □□#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/2FJO7TS3hr
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

"You can't top a home crowd and being able to pull this off after the year I've had, and last couple of years, I'm really excited and really happy,” Schmid said. "I had a crash a few weeks ago and wasn't even able to ride a bike, so I'm just stoked to come out and do this. For about a couple of hours (I wasn't sure I'd make it to the Gold Coast) but everyone rallied behind me and we got through it.

"My wife was putting her head in her hands every time I was racing, it's stressful watching just as much as doing it some times.

"We spoke very briefly, love yous, good luck, stuff like that, the biggest pressure you can put is on yourself."

□□ Jacob Schmid, bronze medalist in the men's sprint, chats with @SamJaneLane. #GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/sEyWcDbiXF
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

World Champion Glaetzer devastatingly crashed out in the preliminary rounds after a tactical blunder against the 16th seed from Malaysia – he was completely caught off guard when the Malaysian attacked and roared away for a stunning upset.

"The sprint is the big one and it was always going to be tough backing up last night but it was just a tactical mistake.”

"I knew I'd stuffed up and I'll just take a moment to be disappointed and then re-group again ready for tomorrow, I won't leave anything in the tank," Glaetzer said.

"It will take a while to get over this one. It was just a nightmare in that last half-lap."

□□ @MatthewGlaetzer is gutted but all class in defeat as he chats with @SamJaneLane. #7CommGames #GC2018 #ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/KsxQrDlAws
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

#GC2018 Welsford wows with stellar scratch gold

8/4/2018

In one of the most amazing rides ever seen on a track, let alone the Commonwealth Games, Sam Welsford lifted the roof at the Anna Meares Velodrome with gold in the men's scratch race.

Teammates Cameron Meyer and Leigh Howard covered constant attacks and reeled in England’s Ethan Hayter on the final lap, leaving Welsford to time his final lap sprint to perfection.

The win was Welsford's second of the Games after teaming to clock the first sub 3:50 ride in history in the team pursuit with Leigh Howard, Kelland O'Brien and Alex Porter.

In a superb week for Welsford, he also clocked a stunning 4min 13.595sec individual pursuit ride on Friday which was fifth fastest in what was one of the fastest IP events in history.

ICYMI: Is that a bike or a motorbike!?

□□ Sam Welsford rocketed home to win gold in the Men's 15km Scratch Race. One of the best tactical performances you'll see. #GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/nBaWRB2s36
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

“That was such a hard race, it was on from the start and I had to be patient and my teammates are amazing,” Welsford said.

“Cam Meyer and Leigh Howard, hats off to them, they were in every move and looked after me all race. I think Australia, the whole team is so tight nit and it’s showing in the results this week.

“Coming into the last lap my visor was falling off and I was mid-sprint so didn’t want to adjust it, and it fell off in the last couple of minutes anyway.

“I’m over the moon, my second goal and this race is such a lottery, 60 laps and lucky enough I caught him last lap.”

.@SamJaneLane speaks with the man of the moment, □□ Sam Welsford! We're still buzzing after that finish.#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/whYqSuvU7p
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

#GC2018 McCulloch crowned time trial champion

8/4/2018

Sydney's Kaarle McCulloch celebrated atop the podium with a brilliant Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women's time trial.

McCulloch snatched the gold just 0.036 ahead of teammate Stephanie Morton in a blistering women’s 500m time trial at the Anna Meares velodrome.

Morton looked odds-on to claim her third GC2018 gold medal before McCulloch took top spot in a personal best time of 33.583.

“Anna Meares pulled me aside and said only a Meares girl has won this title. I want a McCulloch to win,” said McCulloch, who won silver eight years ago in Delhi 2010.

“I feel like I’ve done it justice. I got into this sport because of her. To take that title tonight on her track is dream come true after winning her first individual Commonwealth gold and Australia’s fifth consecutive 500m sprint title."

Morton also smashed her PB by nearly half-a-second with her first career sub-34 second ride (33.619), but it wasn’t enough to deny McCulloch.

"I knew she was going to pull out a big time and if you're going to get rolled by anyone it's (good) that it's your own and it's really great that we got on the top step together, and it happened in Glasgow where Anna and I went one, two."

Gold to □□ @kaarlemcculloch, silver to □□ @StephMorton28 in the 500m time trial. □□□#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/f8drgkByTA
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

□□ @StephMorton28 is absolute ⚡️⚡️

She moves into the gold medal position in the Women's 500m Time Trial. #GC2018 #Elastoplast #GetUpAgain pic.twitter.com/RT4IJXvisg
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

□□ @kaarlemcculloch and @StephMorton28 receive their gold and silver medals for the 500m time-trial.#GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/zThYq2rgPe
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 7, 2018

#GC2018 WIASAK WOWS on debut; nettie grabs bronze

7/4/2018

Commonwealth Games debutant Rebecca Wiasak won silver in the women’s individual pursuit, finishing behind 2016 Olympic team pursuit champion Katie Archibald from Scotland. Annette Edmondson took the bronze.

Wiasak wowed the crowd in the afternoon qualifying with a Games record (3:25.936), which also eclipsed her own national record. However Archibald eclipsed that mark in the very next ride.

In the final, Archibald looked strong early, before Wiasak took the lead and a .3sec advantage at the halfway mark. However Archibald fought back and stopped the clock at 3mins 26.088secs ahead of Wiasak (3:27.548).

Congratulations to □□□□□□□ @_katiearchibald on winning □ in the Women's 3000m Individual Pursuit!

□□ @RebeccaWiasak you did us proud from start to finish □□#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/dKibPbKu3Q
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

Rebecca Wiasak

I went hard. I used all my energy and enthusiasm. I'm happy to finish both races. I'm as thrilled today with a silver as I would be with a gold.

I knew it was going to be a tough ask coming up against Katie Archibald, she's such a classy rider and you're stoked to make the final and you definitely have to stay confident that I could take it to her in the final.

I'm really happy to finish off both my rides really strongly.

It was bitterly disappointing to miss out on the team pursuit but you have to draw strength and inspiration from those rides," Wiasak said.

Watching it in bed last night trying to rest up for today, I was so emotional for the girls, you were in tears seeing them on the podium knowing that could have been you.

But I've been in that position so many times - the final rider cut - so when I was just sitting and waiting for today to jump up on the track I said to myself 'you've been waiting so long for this moment'.

I was the last rider cut for Glasgow and the fastest individual pursuiter at that point that season, and the last rider cut for Rio so I had to sit at home and watch as the non-travelling reserve so I know disappointment but it's continued to drive me and use that fire in the belly to keep me going and get me on this track.

You won't find many better than □□ @RebeccaWiasak □□

Gold!@SamJaneLane #7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/OVCsXuc15M
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

Bronze - NETTIE Edmondson

In an all Aussie affair, Annette Edmondson held off a late surge from reigning national champion Ashlee Ankudinoff to win bronze. Earlier in the day, Edmondson set a Games record and personal best in qualifying (3:27.255) before it was broken by Wiasak and then Archibald.

"I'm satisfied, I wasn't sure what to expect going in after yesterday, it was pretty solid on the legs but I had to go out there and focus and luckily I could pull out a PB.

"It was really tough in the final because you're up against your teammate and you really want to make it on the podium but at the same time one of your teammates doesn't get to come home with a medal, so it was hard but I am satisfied with the time I was able to ride.

"We've put our heart and soul into it the last few years and it just comes down to the day and who has the right prep or who believes in themselves more on the night, and sometimes there's a bit of luck involved."

How much /10 is □□ @NettieEdmo a legend?

We'll answer for you. 10.@SamJaneLane #7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/8YJ9euDxRT
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

#GC2018 Glaetzer grabs keirin gold

7/4/2018

In the electric Anna Meares Velodrome, sprint World Champion Matthew Glaetzer lifted the roof at the end of the night by defending his Commonwealth keirin title, also capturing Australia’s fifth cycling gold of the Games.

The 25-year-old, who took bronze in the team sprint on the opening day, beat Welshman Lewis Oliva and New Zealand’s Edward Dawkins to the finish line with a barnstorming ride in the final.

It was a perfect day for Glaetzer as he stormed to three wins in the keirin competition in sizzling fashion in front of the huge crowd.

GOLD FOR AUSTRALIA □

□□ @MatthewGlaetzer has exploded in the final lap!

Amazing scenes from an amazing athlete. □#7CommGames #GC2018CyclingTrack pic.twitter.com/fFBgDI8PZR
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

Matthew Glaetzer

It is massive because I was reigning Champion – there’s a lot of pressure and you can feel that expectation – It’s about trying to be ice man, be clinical and when it happens it just comes in rush, and the Aussie crowd just goes nuts.

Yesterday didn't go to plan, I burnt myself out a bit too much (in the team sprint). Today I just had to reset, get the emotions out and push myself.

Those races aren't easy but you're in a position that people envy so I can't complain, just loving the fact I got to win it again and share it with this home crowd.

We as athletes aren't doing it for ourselves, we're doing it for the nation. We don't get it (home crowd) too often, so it's absolutely sensational when that flag is raised and the whole nation is behind you.

#GC2018 Morton defends sprint crown; wins australia's 100th

7/4/2018

South Australia's Stephanie Morton gave Australia its 100th gold in Commonwealth Games cycling after winning the women's sprint over New Zealand’s Natasha Hansen, with Sydney's Kaarle McCulloch taking the bronze.

In the afternoon's qualifying, Morton scorched the Anna Meares Velodrome track with a Games Record and personal best 10.524secs to sit atop qualifying. McCulloch clocked her own career best time in fourth with 10.777secs.

The pair eased their way through to the semi finals which disappointingly for fans saw them pitted against each other for a place in the gold medal final. There, Morton was too good for her room mate and team mate in straight heats.

In the final, Hansen attempted mind games from behind in both sprints, thrusting and dodging to try to knock Morton off her perch. But Morton was impassable, storming home in the second sprint to defend her Commonwealth title in front of a surging crowd.

YES WE CAN! □□

GOLD FOR AUSTRALIA □

□□ @StephMorton28 goes back to back □ in the Women's Sprint! #Proud #7CommGames #GC2018CyclingTrack pic.twitter.com/HuVl9YI8Zs
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

Steph Morton

It took me by complete surprise when I beat Anna Meares in Glasgow (individual sprint at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games) - and now to be in the Anna Meares Velodrome is very special

After Glasgow, I came into the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games with expectations, and reminisced on what it means to win a gold medal - it's been very special.

It is an honour to receive the 100th gold medal for Australia in cycling. This is testament to the great Australian cycling program.

□□ @StephMorton28 has won Australia's 100th Commonwealth Games cycling medal. @SamJaneLane caught up with the #GC20018 champion.#7CommGames pic.twitter.com/p7trbQq1CO
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

Bronze - McCulloch

Battle for Bronze is ours! □

Congratulations □□ @kaarlemcculloch!

Now can we have 2 Aussies on the podium?#7CommGames #GC2018CyclingTrack pic.twitter.com/GtWV1MU4W0
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

□□ @kaarlemcculloch takes race 1 in the battle for Bronze!#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/OTkamqCtJs
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 6, 2018

#GC2018 Tandem bronze & scorching flying 200 in Brisbane

6/4/2018

Women's TANDEM SPRINT

Victoria's Jessica Gallagher and Pilo Maddison Janssen opened the Games with an incredible time in the Tandem women's sprint flying 200m.

The first Aussies to hit the Anna Meares Velodrome for the Games, they blasted a 10.954 in front of an electric home crowd.

The English pairing of Thornhill and Scott however eclipsed this mark in the next ride, with the duo edging the Australians in the final to take the gold.

AMAZING WORLD RECORD RUN FROM ?? @JessGallagher86 & ?? @maddiejanssen ?

The Aussie's will ride for ? in the Women's B&VI Sprint tonight! #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/6ofxzeBEPS
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

Hear from □□ @JessGallagher86 and her pilot @maddiejanssen after the B&VI sprint world record, which has since fallen to England's Sophie Thornhill!

The @AnnaMeares Velodrome at #GC2018 is FAST! #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/hVdL8Essm2
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

Men's Tandem Time Trial

Australia also picked up a bronze medal in the men’s team sprint and the tandem pairing of Brad Henderson and pilot Tom Clarke won a bronze in the B&VI 1000m time trial, Australia’s first Para medal of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“We were a bit disappointed about the fourth place in the UCI Rio Para-cycling Track World Championships, so to come out here and show them what we were capable of, was exciting,” Henderson said.

Bang, @bradhendo_ and @TomSee_ w1m01.4 pic.twitter.com/izsRY4jC4P
— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) April 5, 2018

#GC2018 team sprint - Gold & National Record to women; bronze to men

6/4/2018

Women's team sprint

Photo © Cycling Australia

Kaarle McCulloch and Stephanie Morton powered over the New Zealand pair of Natasha Hansen and Emma Cumming in the women’s team sprint final to win gold.

With former teammate Anna Meares watching on, the duo powered in qualifying to take the mental advantage into the final, which saw them ride the wave of parochial Aussie support as they clocked a new Commonwealth Games and national record time of 32.488 seconds.

More: Watch live via 7commgames.com.au | Visit gc2018.com for all the event information.

They don't call it the 'Gold' Coast for nothing...

Because □□ Australia have won ANOTHER □ in the Women's Team Sprint Final □#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/BxMKMHypXo
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

Stephanie Morton

Can’t complain with a casual Aussie record but we’re stoked, that’s what we came here for — to smash our own record and we got it convincingly so it’s pretty exciting with three days to go.

It’s insane, we were pretty lucky to get to see the track endurance and tandems go before so it was cool once you got up there, you knew that noise was for us.

Kaarle McCulloch

Steph and I are not a new team but we’re not an old team either, we’ve almost won nearly every time we step on a track together, so to be able to go from Anna as a team sprint partner to Steph and make some history is awesome, and I’m looking forward to Tokyo and beyond.

We’ve both got amazing form at the moment which is a credit to our coaches and I think this crowd is pushing us over the line as well.

Fresh off the top of the podium, Women's Team Sprint gold medallists @kaarlemcculloch and @StephMorton28 catch up with @SamJaneLane. #GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/ejdEMs9Kln
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

men's team sprint

The Australian men's quartet of Nathan Hart, Matthew Glaetzer, Patrick Constable and Jacob Schmid won bronze in the men's team sprint.

It was a heartbreaking opening for the team the afternoon qualifying, with Constable pulling his foot at the start of their heat. The team was granted a re-run minutes later, and recovered to post the third best time to send them into the bronze medal ride.

Schmid came in for Glaetzer in the final, with the team too strong for Canada as they clocked 43.645seconds for three laps to win the bronze.

#GC2018 Women soar to MAIDEN COMM GAMES women's TP gold

6/4/2018

Photo © Cycling Australia

Australia's women’s team pursuit soared to a dominant gold medal performance against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand to win the first ever Commonwealth Games women's team pursuit gold medal.

Ashlee Ankudinoff, Amy Cure, Annette Edmondson and Alexandra Manly rocketed to a new Games record time of 4 minutes 15.214 seconds in the final to defeat the Kiwis by nearly 10 seconds, actually catching their rivals inside the sixteenth and final lap.

More: Watch live via 7commgames.com.au | Visit gc2018.com for all the event information.

□AUSTRALIA WIN□

What a classic □□ AUS v □□ NZ battle in the Women's 4000m Team Pursuit Final □

We are all so proud □#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/pcy3GSci7n
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

Amy Cure

It was amazing, so good to win but it's not just us four girls who ride the bike, it's Georgia Baker, Rebecca Wiasak who made the journey over here and didn't get a ride but have been pushing us at training every day to perform. We owe it to them as much as we won there and to all the people who help us.

Annette Edmondson

To win a gold medal is really cool and there's nothing quite like doing it in front of a home crowd

Unfortunately sport has its ups and downs and that (Rio) was not what we wanted after all that build up but we had to look at this as a new opportunity and focused on what we could control - and that was going fast.

Alex Manly

We just set out to go as fast as we could and I knew the home crowd could get us home, we were wanting a quick time and we got it.

I couldn't have asked for three better teammates who were riding with me but also Bec Wiasak and Georgia Baker who pushed us all the way and are a part of it as much as we are.

Follow all the action at commonwealthgames.com.au, or via the official CommGamesAUS social media channels / #TeamAus

The women's TP squad looking focused and fierce ahead of the final for the gold! Good luck! @GC2018 #AussieCycling pic.twitter.com/HawVezWFIi
— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) April 5, 2018

#GC2018 - WORLD RECORD - MEN BLAST 3:50 BARRIER

6/4/2018

Photo © Cycling Australia

Australia has soared to the men's 4000m team pursuit world record in front of an electric crowd at the Anna Meares Velodrome, becoming the first country to post a sub three minute 50 second ride in the history of the event.

Earlier in the day, the quartert of Alex Porter, Jordan Kerby, Leigh Howard and Sam Welsford qualified fastest in 3mins 52.041.

A tactical move from the team saw teenager Kelland O’Brien come in for Kerby, with the team scorching the track in a world record time of 3 minutes 49.804 seconds, shaving nearly half a second off the record held by Great Britain set at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

It is the first time since 2004 that Australia has held the world record.

Could we ask for anything more? □□

□□ Australia beat □□□□□□□ England to win □ in the Men's 4000m Team Pursuit!

Absolute scenes...#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/1OMoN5eDiN
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

Sam Welsford (WA)

I'm over the moon with excitement. We're in our home country. That is what dreams are made of. This is what we strive for every day.

This is a dream come true. We've had our eye on the medal for such a long time, and to go under 3.50 - for that to happen is unreal.

Kelland O'Brien (VIC)

It overwhelms me having my parents and sisters and all my family here, it's something really special and I definitely shed a tear.

A few more years (towards Tokyo) is going to be hard to stay up in the top end but the depth in Australian cycling is amazing, the culture is amazing and I'm so proud to be part of the team, and hopefully in the next few years we can step up again and show the world what our country is all about."

Leigh Howard (VIC)

It is a special moment. it was a big decision for me to give up the road and come back to the track, but I had a fair bit of self belief and saw it was such a special group of guys and I wanted to be part of it.

This guy next to me (Welsford) is an absolute machine, just to follow his wheel is a tough ask. There's definitely been some big changes since he's come on board and we've gone faster, it's as simple as that.

3:50, it's just evolution and we're not sure what the next mark is but we'll just keep striving. That's the big question but we've got to find that way.

I don't think we will ever get tired of these moments □□□□□□#7CommGames #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/H6QXh4oYvA
— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 5, 2018

#GC2018 Day 1 - THURSDAY Family affair

4/4/2018

Day 1 April 5

Six gold medals are on offer on the opening day of the track competition at the Anna Meares Velodrome and it is a family affair with the team pursuit, team sprint and Tandem events.

Gold Medals

Men's Tandem (Para B&VI) 1000m Time Trial - Bradley Henderson / Pilot Thomas Clarke - 705pm
Women's 4000m Team Pursuit - Annette Edmondson, Amy Cure, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Alex Manly - Qual 245pm; Final 730pm
Women's Tandem (Para B&VI) Sprint - Jessica Gallagher / Pilot Madison Janssen - Qual 230pm; Final 820pm
Men's 4000m Team Pursuit - Samuel Welsford, Jordan Kerby, Alexander Porter, Leigh Howard - Qual from 335pm; Final 840pm
Women's Team Sprint - Steph Morton & Kaarle McCulloch - Qual from 420pm; Final 850pm
Men's Team Sprint - Matthew Glaetzer, Nathan Hart & Matthew Glaetzer - Qual from 430pm; Final 855pm

Follow

Watch live via 7commgames.com.au
See who is racing gc2018.com/entries
See what is on gc2018.com/schedule

Who is racing

The men’s team pursuit will feature dual world champion and Olympic silver medalist Samuel Welsford three-time world champion Leigh Howard, hometown hero Jordan Kerby, 2017 world champions Alexander Porter.

In the women’s team pursuit, a trio of 2015 world champions in Annette Edmondson, Amy Cure and Ashlee Ankudinoff will be joined by debutant Alex Manly.

In the team sprint, Steph Morton and Kaarle McCulloch will line up in the event which returns to Commonwealth Games program.

The men’s sprint trio will feature Matthew Glaetzer, who will be joined by Nathan Hart & Matthew Glaetzer.

The Tandem Para-cycling events will open with 2016 world champions Jessica Gallagher and Pilot Madison Janssen in the sprint, with the men’s Tandem time trial will see Bradley Henderson make his debut with Pilot Thomas Clarke, who won bronze at the 2014 Games.

#GC2018 - PARA Track GUIDE

3/4/2018

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Track competition will take place at the Anna Meares Velodrome (Brisbane) from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 April.

It will feature 20 events - eight endurance, eight sprint and four para-cycling - with the four Para events to feature the Tandem time and sprint for both men’s and women’s pairings.

The Tandem Para-cycling selections are led by 2016 world champions Jessica Gallagher and Pilot Madison Janssen who are fresh from winning two silver medals at the 2018 World Championships held in Brazil last week. England's Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott will be hoping to defend their two Games crowns and are fresh off the back of two world title wins in world record time.

In the men’s, Bradley Henderson will make his debut with Pilot Thomas Clarke, who won bronze at the 2014 Games. The duo In the men’s Tandem, Brad Henderson and Pilot Thomas Clarke finished fourth in both the time trial and sprint in their first Championships as a pairing. It took the might of multiple Paralympic and world champion Neil Fachie (GBR) and Pilot Matthew Rothertham to stop the team's run in the sprint semi final.

WHEN ARE THEY RACING?

Day 1 April 5

Men's Tandem (Para B&VI) 1000m Time Trial
Women's Tandem (Para B&VI) Sprint

Day 3 Sat April 7

Women's Tandem (Para B&VI) 1000m Time Trial
Men's Tandem (Para B&VI) Sprint

HOW CAN I WATCH?

TV - Channel 7 will broadcast GC2018 on three free-to-air channels – 7, 7TWO & 7Mate
Mobile - download the 7CommGames app from both Google Play & Apple store
Web - 7commgames.com.au

HOW DO I FOLLOW?

Follow all the action at commonwealthgames.com.au, or via the official CommGamesAUS social media channels / #TeamAus

#GC2018 Para-cycling will feature at the Velodrome this week, with dual 2018 World Championship silver medallists @JessGallagher86 & @maddiejanssen to line up for @CommGamesAUS in the Tandem sprint and time trial #teamaus pic.twitter.com/4uKgDsBbCN
— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) April 3, 2018

#BMXSX dual world cup podiums for saya

2/4/2018

Photo © UCI

Australian Cycling Team's Saya Sakakibara has opened the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup season with two podium appearances at the opening round in France.

Sakakibara grabbed bronze in round one and backed it up with silver in round two in on the Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines track.

#BMXSX Saya Sakakibara has won silver at Rd2 of @UCI_BMX_SX World Cup in France - that’s two straight podium finishes for the 18-year-old from Wollongong after bronze yesterday! #AusCyclingTeam @AUSOlympicTeam @Ausport pic.twitter.com/aterl2ahEI
— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) April 1, 2018

“I am feeling very excited and so tired,” Sakakibara said post race. “I’ve had two big weekends of racing. But also two podiums from two world cups and that’s great, it’s very awesome.

“My start in the final today was a good one, and I was able to come from lane three to the inside of the track into third spot, then grabbed second at the first corner. I was catching Laura down the last straight and thought I might try for that first place spot, but I was a bit short.

“I am extremely happy with that silver medal place!”

□for Round 1 of @ucibmxsx! So pumped to make it on the podium for my 3rd World Cup event. But now resting up for Round 2 tonight. Watch it live in 5 hours time -> link in bio @cyclingaustralia @bmxhpn #SakakibaraBMX Pic: @ucibmxsx @fifteenbmx

A post shared by Saya Sakakibara (@sayasakakibara) on Apr 1, 2018 at 1:56am PDT

#GC2018 - TRACK SPRINT - GUIDE

1/4/2018

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Track competition will take place at the Anna Meares Velodrome (Brisbane) from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 April.

It will feature 20 events, eight sprint events in the sprint, team sprint, time trial and keirin. The team sprint returning after being removed for the 2014 program, while the keirin makes its debut for women.

The 2018 Games is likely to provide a milestone for team, with Australia having won 96 Commonwealth Games cycling gold medals.

WOMEN

Australia’s women’s duo features defending sprint gold medallist Stephanie Morton and 2010 team sprint gold medallist Kaarle McCulloch.

On the opening day, Morton and McCulloch will line up in the team sprint which, like McCulloch, is returning to Commonwealth Games in 2018 after missing 2014. The pair celebrated victory at last November’s Oceania Championships, and silver at the 2017 World Championships.

In the sprint, Morton will aim to defend her crown on the track named after her former teammate and legend of the sport Anna Meares, who she defeated in the event four years ago in Glasgow.

Morton heads into the Games a strong favourite in the event after winning her second straight World Championship sprint silver medal, during which she topped the qualification run for the third straight year.

Morton will also contest the keirin and time trial, as will the evergreen McCulloch who has been producing some career best times in the recent season, so will be a podium favourite in each of the four events she contests in Brisbane.

MEN

The men’s sprint quartet is headlined by Matthew Glaetzer, fresh from his claiming his maiden sprint World Championship crown in the Netherlands.

It will be a busy schedule for the powerful South Australian with four events on the tables as he looks to add Commonwealth sprint gold to his rainbow jersey, while also defending the keirin title he won four years ago in Glasgow.

Glaetzer will open his campaign in the team sprint on day one and end it in the time trial on the final day, an event in which he became the first rider to record a sub-one minute ride on sea level.

Joining Glaetzer in an impressive men’s sprint quartet is Rio Olympians Nathan Hart and Patrick Constable, and former keirin national champion Jacob Schmid.

Watch for Canberra's Hart to explode from the gates in his only race of the week as leads Glaetzer and Constable in the opening day’s team sprint. The trio, who finished just off the podium in fourth at the Rio Olympic Games, will be eager to open their campaign with a strong performance.

Constable, who finished eighth at the Rio Games and took the national crown in 2017, will also contest the sprint, plus the keirin, as will Schmid.

FOLLOW

WHEN ARE THEY RACING?

Day 1 April 5 Women's Team Sprint; Men's Team Sprint
Day 2 April 6 Men's Keirin; Women's Sprint
Day 3 Sat April 7 Women's 500m Time Trial; Men's Sprint
Day 4 April 8 Men's 1000m Time Trial; Women's Keirin

HOW CAN I WATCH?

TV - Channel 7 will broadcast GC2018 on three free-to-air channels – 7, 7TWO & 7Mate
Mobile - download the 7CommGames app from both Google Play & Apple store
Web - 7commgames.com.au

ONLINE

Follow all the action at commonwealthgames.com.au, or via the official CommGamesAUS social media channels / #TeamAus

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN CYCLING TEAM

The ‘Australian Cycling Team’ encompasses the Olympic and Paralympic cycling discipline athletes, coaches and performance support staff who will receive program support for Track and Para, and Individual Athlete Performance Support for Road and BMX.

ABOUT AUS CYCLING

AusCycling represents over 52,000 members across BMX, BMX Freestyle, Cyclo-Cross, E-Sport, Mountain Bike, Para-Cycling, Road, Track and Lifestyle (recreational and commuter) riding throughout Australia. More at https://auscycling.org.au/

FOLLOW

© 2020 AusCycling, All rights reserved.

Location

Adelaide Super-Drome
State Sports Park
50 Anna Meares Way (off Main North Road)
Gepps Cross SA 5094