Cycling Australia says thank you - National Volunteer Week 

As the country celebrates National Volunteer Week, Cycling Australia would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers who give their time to keep the wheels of our great sport turning across Australia.

The contributions and sacrifices of thousands of volunteers across our hundreds of clubs, events and the Australian Cycling Team, ensure our cyclists, participants and spectators can share in and enjoy our great sport. 

The theme for National Volunteer Week 2020 is “Changing Communities. Changing Lives” and it is clear that we have many unsung heroes who are doing just that across the country. 

In the Australian Cycling Team, Olympian Stephanie Morton has been making a difference through her volunteer work with the University of South Australia Invictus Pathways Program.

The Invictus Pathways Program is for current and past-serving veterans and emergency first responders who have physical, emotional and/or psychological conditions often suffered as a result of traumatic events. The aim of the program is to provide pathways for community reintegration, rehabilitation and recovery programs and to also provide goal setting, peer to peer activities and to support well-being.
 
The Program utilises sport and exercise to help those impacted achieve life goals and Morton jumped at the opportunity to become an ambassador in 2017 and has attended a number of training camps with athletes. 

“Having been a part of the Australian Para-cycling program from 2010-2012, I thought it was a great opportunity to pass on some of my experience and even learn a thing or two myself,” said Morton, a 2012 London Paralympic Games gold medallist as a Tandem Pilot. 
 
“These people have literally sacrificed their lives to keep ours safe, so being able to chat with them and even just be a small part of their journey is humbling. 

“We talk about everything from recovery to race day pressure, but I enjoy attending their events and functions where I hear them share their story or be recognised for their efforts at the Invictus Games.”

Ever wanted to ride with the Australian Cycling Team? Well this is your chance!

Cycling Australia is providing a virtual racing, workout and participation series on the online training platform Zwift which aims to get people active and have fun while the COVID-19 pandemic keeps us indoors.

Every Saturday at 10.00am AEST, cyclists will have their chance to ride with Olympians, Paralympians and world champions of the Australian Cycling Team in a variety of sprint and endurance HIIT rides.

Carol Cooke - Women's Only Ride 

Join world & Paralympic champion Carol Cooke for a women's only ride this Saturday 23 May at 10am AEST on Zwift. 

Register now via the Zwift Companion App. 

Following a review of the Australian Cycling Team’s Performance Strategy and operations, Cycling Australia is undertaking an operational restructure of the Australian Cycling Team which will support its objectives for Tokyo 2021 while underpinning the athlete pathway and coach development through to 2024 and beyond. 

A review was scheduled to take place after the completion of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, however, the review was brought forward to ensure a smooth transition to new operations ahead of the rescheduled Games in 2021 and a shortened performance cycle through to Paris 2024. 

This restructure does not represent a change of strategy, but rather a refinement of the way the current strategy is delivered. The objective of the restructure, which is primarily focused on the track and para programs, is to maximise performance by supporting and developing coaches to deliver and lead their programs with tighter performance support teams, meaning that communication, training, and preparation will be streamlined.

As a result of the changes detailed above, eleven roles will be restructured, resulting in seven staff members leaving the team, with a further four staff members being offered refocused roles. The Team will recruit a number of new roles including a Director of Coaching and Director of Performance Pathways. 

Steve Drake, CEO, Cycling Australia: “I would like to thank the departing staff members for their significant contributions to the Australian Cycling Team during their tenures. While we are very conscious of the timing of these decisions, the deferral of the Olympic and Paralympic Games necessitated these changes being made now and is in the best interests of the athletes and the broader performance team.”

Simon Jones, Performance Director, Australian Cycling Team: “With the delay of Tokyo 2020 and the interruption of normal performance activity due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we believe that it is in the best interests of the entire program to complete a review and to implement this restructure now. 

“The period post-Tokyo 2021 will see a condensed competition phase that includes the 2021 Road and Track Cycling World Championships, Paralympic and Olympic Nation / World Cups, followed shortly by Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 which is a major objective for the team.
 
“We believe these changes increase our chance of success in 2021 with more focussed and strategically aligned teams, and at the same time we will look closely at our pathway strategies over the coming months to ensure we have a surplus of talent creating upward pressure in the pathway to meet Cycling’s 2024 and 2028 medal potential.” ​

As the world continues to move in and out of differing levels of isolation and lockdowns, Australian Cycling Team athletes both in Australia and across the globe are adopting a variety of strategies to deal with the closure of training facilities and gyms, the cancellation of racing and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Since heading into lockdown in March, the Australian Cycling Team road, bmx, track and para-cycling squads have taken part in digital catch-ups, with the online forums providing an opportunity for all to discuss their current situations while sharing their own strategies and methods they are using to navigate through the challenging time. 

Loungeroom pilates, yoga and meditation sessions, setting up home gyms, taking business, cooking and Zumba classes, knitting bespoke clothes and adopting pets are just some of the strategies being adopted in addition to ramping up their indoor racing and training programs. 

Many of Australia's internationally-based road athletes returned to Australia quickly after border and flight restrictions were imposed across the world, and while the majority of the women's peloton headed back down under, a few athletes chose to stay at their homes in their adopted European countries including Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France and Finland. At the same time, the men remain scattered across Europe with the majority at home in two of the hardest-hit countries in Italy and Spain.

​Road Technical Director Brad McGee has been impressed with the positivity of all athletes and their ability to create strategies for staying fit, active physically and mentally and remain in communication with their wider community. 

"This group continues to amaze me with their ability to keep a healthy balance," McGee explained. "Accepting the struggles and seeking ways forward with that Find-A-Way attitude essential to high-performance sport, they are instrumental in navigating through this shared community challenge. 

"Staying connected is super important now and will continue in the future. Sharing information plus each other's challenges and solutions with a laugh where possible is essential. 

"We have made these catch-ups a regular feature, and I hope our wider community can take on board and benefit from how these athletes are combatting the current issues." 

Similarity, BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes believed the challenge for the athletes to adapt to the restrictions will inspire critical thinking across the squad. 

Most of Australia's leading BMX Racing and Freestyle athletes returned to Australia, with Brandon Loupos choosing to remain in the USA where he has access to a training facility. 

"The recent isolation restrictions have inspired more creativity to continue progression," Bootes explained. "The BMX group is used to working remotely and using technology to be engaged, this will only increase as individuals but also as a group.  

"Now knowing the goalposts have been moved (Olympic Games), this allows us to revisit areas to work on in this extended period. Once you start to focus on the controllables, you can quickly structure activities around the boundaries we are all forced to live by in a safe and respectful way.

For Chloe Hosking, she is relieved after an early return to Australia and to her support structure in her family.  

"Rally Cycling actually cancelled our European racing block before other races began to be cancelled, and I appreciated the team making an early decision to give all the riders some certainty. It was a really anxious and uncertain time, and I know I don't do well in those environments. I like a plan and structure. So by the team making an early call to send us home, I was able to head back to my family where I have the best support." 

Hosking has revealed she has taken the opportunity to make the most out of a bad situation and is encouraging others to do the same. 

"Leading into this year I'd made the decision to defer my study until after the Olympics so I hadn't been studying in the early part of the year. So I made the assessment that I would be in Australia for an indefinite period of time and enrolled in some law courses which will help me get closer to completing my post-graduate law studies.  

"My husband and I also made the decision that there was never going to be a better time than now to adopt a puppy as we have a lot of time at home coming up to bond with her and for her to learn about us and us about her.

"If you can, I would highly encourage people to use this period to foster or adopt a pet. They bring so much joy into your lives and also give you a sense of purpose and routine." 

Mitchelton-Scott's Luke Durbridge is into his third week of lockdown with his wife in their Spanish apartment with outdoor trips only permitted for food shopping or medical supplies. 

"We are lucky, we have a big apartment and we are soaking up as much sun on the terrace as we can," Durbrudge said. "I have been getting creative in terms of cooking and baking, making a lot of nice meals. 

"Have been doing a lot of indoor training done on Zwift which is challenging, but has been a lot of fun. But we are trying to do our bit by staying indoors as the health workers don't need any added factors like us cyclists out on the road crashing or having to go to the hospital and putting stress on the system. 

"Lots of facetime with family and friends, I have never facetimed so much in my life as I wasn't such a big fan of it, but now, with everything going on, you just want to see people's faces.

"I also have an electronic drumkit here in the apartment, and I am hopefully not annoying my neighbours too much as I have been putting the headphones on and playing that a fair bit."

For some athletes, there is an upside to home isolation with BMX Freestyler Logan Martin benefiting from his investment in a personal skatepark, gym and pool at his Gold Coast home. 

"I would usually go to a functional styled gym with classes, but they are now doing them online which I just do at my house. And I can ride my skatepark as much as I need to, so that is definitely a good thing during times like this." 

Adelaide-based track and para-athletes have either remained in Adelaide, with some athletes taking advantage of the extended break to return to their native home states and prepare their bodies and minds for the postponed Olympic Games which have moved to July 2021. 

"I feel optimistic about having one more year to prepare considering my body has felt on edge for the past six months," said Kaarle McCulloch who sees the opportunity in the adversity. "I think it's a good opportunity for people to take a step back and take a breath and focus on the small delights of life. I've started reading again, 

"I've seen more of my family in the last two weeks than I have for the past two years. Sure life is different but it's only going to be different for a while. 

"Soon enough we'll be busy and focused again. Sometimes life throws us a curveball and we don't always have to see it as an adversity, I see this time as an opportunity."

For those remaining in Adelaide, many are enjoying riding outdoors (as individuals or pairs only) while it is still permitted, and while the Super-drome track and gym remains closed, Strength and Power Coach Scott Baker managed the implementation of home gyms for athletes. 

Performance psychology and mental health support for the members of the Australian Cycling Teams and squads continues though remote servicing through coaches and Cycling Australia's Head of Performance Psychology and Behaviours, Dr Ruth Anderson. 
 
"All athletes will have their own plans devised and will be implementing their own strategies to assist in optimising their mindset as we face the challenges of the next few months," said Anderson, who highlighted common key principles for all the team members are to:  

• Accept and learn how to tolerate a level of anxiety that will be triggered by uncertainty and be proactive in managing your psychological state. 
  
• Keep your focus on the short term by creating new plans and routines around current restrictions, and be assertive in managing what is within your control in the current moment. 
  

"While our circumstances and environments have significantly changed, what doesn't change is our capacity to continue to work with riders on developing psychological ability and keeping everyone's mind fit" Anderson added.  

The Australian Cycling Team is pleased to announce the Athlete Memberships across all disciplines for 2020/21.

In all, 62 athletes will feature across the Para-cycling Track and Road (15), Track Sprint and Endurance (17), BMX Race and Freestyle (7), Road (13), and Podium Potential Academy (10) programs after being classified in the Podium, Podium Ready and Podium Potential categories. About the Australian Cycling Team Pathway. 

The Para-cycling (Track and Road) memberships include reigning Paralympic and world champions Carol Cooke and David Nicholas, plus Emily Petricola and Darren Hicks in a 15-athlete squad.  

The Track program is highlighted by Matthew Glaetzer, Stephanie Morton, Annette Edmondson and Samuel Welsford and welcomes three new members in Matthew Richardson (Sprint), Maeve Plouffe and Lucas Plapp (Endurance) who have progressed through the Podium Potential Academy^ pathway. 

In BMX, three athletes - Natalya Diehm (BMX Freestyle) and Lauren Reynolds and Izaac Kennedy (BMX Race) will receive Individual Athlete Performance Support (IAPS) memberships. The trio joins reigning world champion Brandon Loupos, 2017 world champion Logan Martin, plus Saya Sakakibara and Anthony Dean. 

Amanda Spratt, Chloe Hosking, Rohan Dennis and Michael Matthews headline the Road IAPS memberships, with five new athlete memberships to be provided to Brodie Chapman, Grace Brown, Sarah Gigante, Jay McCarthy and Lucas Hamilton.   

The Podium Potential Academy has inducted four new members in Leigh Hoffman (Sprint), Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Joshua Duffy (Endurance/Road), in addition to Kristina Clonan who will transition from the Podium Track Endurance to the Academy’s Sprint program. Caitlin Ward (Sprint) will receive transitional support as she exits the program.

The Para-cycling (Track and Road) will see six riders exit the program in Kieran Murphy, Brad Henderson (retirement), Michael Shippley, Darcy Thompson, plus Tandem pilots Lachlan Glasspool and Luke Zaccaria.  The latter four will transition to their respective High-Performance Network (HPN) state-based programs. 

Macey Stewart and Cameron Scott will exit the Podium Track Endurance program, while in Road, Rachel Neylan, Gracie Elvin, Shara Gillow, Nathan Haas, Luke Durbridge, and Richie Porte exited in December 2019.

Caroline Buchanan (BMX Race) has not been offered a new BMX IAPS membership, however, she will receive transitional support until August 2020. Kai Sakakibara (BMX Race) is receiving support as he continues recovery and rehabilitation following a racing accident in February.
  
“As we continue to prepare for the resumption of racing, and ultimately the Olympics and Paralympics in 2021, the confirmation of athlete memberships gives everyone a chance to continue to sharpen their focus on their preparation and individual progress and development,” said Simon Jones, Australian Cycling Team Performance Director. 

“I would like to thank those team members exiting the program for their commitment to their own personal development and to the Australian Cycling Team program as a whole. 

“Re-entry to the program for these athletes is possible. Sometimes, stepping back and taking time away from something can be a way to move forward if their ambition and desire remain.”

^ About the Podium Potential Academy - Launched in November 2018 with an inaugural class of thirteen athletes across both endurance and sprint disciplines, the PPA programme, which is supported and partly funded by Commonwealth Games Australia, focuses on the long term development of athletes orientated around success at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and through to the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.
​
Australian Cycling Team Athlete Membership 2020/2021 - Full list (PDF)

FULGAZ BENEFITS TO CA MEMBERS

• FulGaz is offering all CA members a 20% discount off their subscription fee. 
• Extension of the 2-week trial to a 4 week trial for all CA Members

​Your promo code can be accessed at: cycling.org.au/nat/exclusive-member-discounts-offers

ABOUT FULGAZ

With hundreds of virtual videos filmed on bikes in up to 4k, FulGaz transports you to iconic rides from around the world. It works with just about any indoor trainer, adjusting video speed and resistance to match your effort.

So go ahead and push yourself on hills that mimic the real road riding experience. When you’re done, upload to Strava, TrainingPeaks or Today’s Plan.

FulGaz will feel exactly the same as riding outdoors if it’s set up correctly. Take a moment to set up your weight and trainer settings. Your legs will thank you!

The #AusCyclingTeam’s ‘30 from 30 Series’ featured current and former Australian Cycling Team athletes, coaches and staff showing us the different, creative and unique ways they are keeping healthy and active both physically and mentally, and staying connected while in isolation or lockdown across Australia and the world.