 Photo Casey Gibson Australia has finished second on the overall standings behind Great Britain with nine gold and a glittering 17-medal haul at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.
The Australian team’s results were highlighted by dual gold to David Nicholas (QLD), Alistair Donohoe (VIC) and outstanding debutant Paige Greco (SA), who broke two world records. Emily Petricola (VIC) and Amanda Reid (NSW) also celebrated victories and world records, while Darren Hicks (SA) claimed an emotional maiden world title. Paige Greco, a former athletics stand out who has been cycling for little more than twelve months, dominated the individual pursuit and the time trial on the opening two days of competition. “I am very happy, two good rides, I still can’t believe it," said Greco, 22. "I’ve only been in the sport for a short time but this has given me the determination to keep training and working on the things I need to improve on. "I’m already looking forward to getting back into training and keep working at it.” Victoria's Alistair Donohoe claimed his fifth and sixth career world titles victories in the C5 individual pursuit and scratch race. "This team is backing each other so much and creating such a positive environment I think it's really bringing the most of all the riders,” said Donohoe, 24. ‘It is one of the most relaxed and constructive teams I've been amongst.” “Thank you to the Cycling Australia coaches on this trip for putting in the finishing touches and ironing out the wrinkles to allow me to stand on the top step today. The support around me is second to none and it feels as though I've had the easiest job out of them all!" Like Donohoe, David Nicholas pulled on rainbow jerseys in both the individual pursuit and scratch race. “It feels so awesome, I can't explain the feeling,” said Nicholas, 27, after claiming a third straight world crown in C3 individual pursuit. “It takes a lot of effort to stay on top, but it is all worth it to get the rainbow jersey! “Thanks so much to Cycling Australia for all the help and support this year. Thanks to my coach Nick Formosa for everything he has done for me.” Darren Hicks was in disbelief after claiming his maiden world title in the individual pursuit. “Right now I think I’m feeling every emotion possible. I am excited and relieved, I can't quite comprehend that I've finally got my first world championship and rainbow jersey... it's crazy!” The World Championship victory capped off a difficult year for Hicks, who in January, had charges against him dropped for a 2014 freeway truck crash that killed two people, the same accident in which he lost his right leg. “It has been a full on year, it was a long, agonising, very expensive road but it's behind me now, and I can finally focus on my racing. “I would like to say thanks to everyone that's helped me get to where I am today. I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given and am glad I could bring home the chocolates for the first time on the big stage!” Melbourne's Emily Petricola took both the world record and world title in the C4 individual pursuit and revealed the meticulous planning undertaken since winning silver at 2018 World Championships after also breaking the world record in qualifying. "I spent a lot of time over the course of the last twelve months identifying exactly what went wrong last year and what I needed to change so I didn't have the same outcome this year," said Petricola, 38. "I worked hard with both Shane Kelly and Cameron Jennings on controlling my riding in qualifying, as I do tend to get a bit excited on race day. But I did my best to follow the instructions being given to me throughout and, thankfully, we executed two good, fast rides to get the rainbows." Sydney's Amanda Reid broke the world record in the C2 time trial on her way to winning a third career world title. "It took a while to sink in, I couldn’t believe the time I had just ridden,” said Reid, 22. "Now that it has all sunk in, the feeling is unbelievable, a world title is amazing and the world record on top of that is like a dream come true for me. "I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing support system and without them, this wouldn’t be possible." Cycling Australia Para-cycling Technical Director Warren McDonald paid tribute to his predecessor and also the state-based programs for the platform for the successful World Championships. “I would firstly like to thank Peter Day for building such a strong Para-cycling program,” said McDonald, who assumed the role from Day last September. “We have worked hard with staff and team coaches to provide a fantastic team environment for these Championships. “The rider’s domestic coaches have delivered their athletes to the national program in fantastic condition and need to be commended on this preparation which has resulted in such a successful World Championships.” Australian Team Medals (17) Gold (9)
Silver (5)
Bronze (3)
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Victoria's Alistair Donohoe claimed a fifth career world title with stirring victory in the C5 individual pursuit at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.
In a near personal best ride (4:27.456) to top the afternoon qualifying session, Donohoe overtook his Ukrainian opponent Yehor Dementyev in the final to take the world title.
"I was a bit nervous and unsure going into today's rides really," said Donohoe. "I knew I was in really good shape from the summer of racing I've had, just wasn't sure how that would translate into times today!
"I knew going in I just had to really control the start and not go out too hot, I'd seen a lot of people earlier on going out really quickly and paying for it in the tail end of their pursuit. Being round seven of nine, I still had three really good riders coming up behind me to I just had to put them out of my mind and try to execute the best ride I could and be happy with that. "Happy, surprised, pumped, shocked, that's probably how I was feeling after the qualifying time. I didn't think I had that time in me but the coaches believed in me and I believed in them so it worked! "Heading into the final, I had the same thoughts again, just go out and ride your ride for the first half of the four kilometres, then worry about racing him. I was lucky enough to put some good time into him early and get the catch so it made for a short and sweet final round. "Overwhelmed and happy as Larry I am!"
After claiming his fifth career world title - second on the track - Donohoe paid tribute to the team and his support staff. "This team is backing each other so much and creating such a positive environment I think it's really bringing the most out of all the riders. One of the most relaxed and constructive teams I've been amongst.
"I'd love to thank my family for all their love, support and encouragement that makes doing what I do so much easier! "To my coach Nick Owen for backing me and giving me the confidence and ability to get out there and rip it and have fun. To the CA coaches on this trip for putting in the finishing touches and ironing out the wrinkles to allow me to stand on the top step today. "The support around me is second to none and it feels as though I've had the easiest job out of them all!"
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​The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries. More Photos ​Casey B. Gibson 
Photo Casey Gibson.
Victoria's Emily Petricola is celebrating after claiming both the world record and world title in the C4 individual pursuit at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.
In a stunning afternoon qualifying ride, Petricola broke her own world record with a time of 3mins 53.297secs for the three-kilometre event. In the final, Canada's Kelly Shaw was no match with Petricola overtaking her opponent before the finish line to take the gold.
"The world record was very unexpected and unplanned, so it is hard describe or articulate exactly how I felt," said Petricola, however the Victorian could detail the meticulous planning involved since winning silver at 2018 World Championships after also breaking the world record in qualifying.
"I spent a lot of time over the course of the last twelve months identifying exactly what went wrong last year and what I needed to change so I didn't have the same outcome this year," she said. "I've worked really hard with both Shane Kelly and Cameron Jennings on controlling my riding so I can go faster in a second pursuit ride than in qualifying. "This is difficult for me as I do tend to get a bit excited on race day, but I really did my best to follow the instructions being given to me throughout and, thankfully, today we executed two good, fast rides to get the rainbows." Relocating from Melbourne to the Australian Cycling Team headquarters in Adelaide earlier this year, Petricola was quick to thank coaches in both cities. "I have to thank first and foremost Cam Jennings for his coaching guidance and support. Shane Kelly who until my recent relocation spent a huge amount of time and energy teaching me so much; Harry Brennan for his expertise and support I in more areas than he is obliged to provide. "But to all CA staff that are here with us - they have been beyond incredible including Warren McDonald, Keren Faulkner, Eliza Smythe, Nick Formosa, Mikey Winter, Jade Lean, Nathan Jennings and Louise Marvin. "All my friends and family that have provided unending patience in their support of me doing this." Later in the sessions, Petricola backed up her gold medal performance with a bronze in the C4 scratch race. Team mate Meg Lemon took silver in the scratch race, while also taking bronze in the individual pursuit.
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson 
Sydney's Gordon Allan celebrated his maiden World Championship medal with silver in the C2 1km time trial final at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling World Championships in the Netherlands on Friday.
In amazing scenes, Allan covered the four laps in just a tick under fifty kilometres per hour to set a new world record with a superb time of 1min 12.873secs. However in the very next ride, the final competitor to take to the track in Colombia’s Alejandro Perea just pipped the Australian's new mark by 0.005secs (1min12.838secs).
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson ​ 
Formosa (L) chats to Greco (R). Photo © Casey Gibson.
Twenty-four hours after smashing the individual pursuit world record on her way to winning a maiden world title, debutant Paige Greco was at it again in the C3 500m Time Trial.
The Adelaide cyclist took her second world title in as many days in a blistering time of 39.442secs which smashed the previous mark by almost two seconds.
"I am very happy, two good rides, I still can’t believe it," said Greco, a former stand out on the athletics track who has been cycling for little more than twelve months, who has already turned her attention to improving her world's best times. "I’m looking forward to getting back into training and keep working at it.
"I’ve only been in the sport for a short time but this has given me the determination to keep training and working on the things I need to improve on. "I want to thank all the coaches for their ongoing support and my coach back home Loz couldn’t have done it without them."
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson 
Photo © Casey Gibson
Sydney's Amanda Reid is celebrating after setting a new world record way to claiming the C2 time trial world title at the UCI Para-cycling Track Worlds in the Netherlands on Friday.
The second last rider to take to the Apeldoorn track to complete the two laps, Reid scorched the track in 45.564km/hour to clock the new mark of 39.505secs. The previous holder Alyda Norbruis (NED) was unable to better Reid's time in the final ride, giving Reid the gold.
"I still don’t think this is real," said Reid. "It took a while to sink in what I had actually done and the time I had just rode.
"Now that it has all sunk in, the feeling is unbelievable, a world title is amazing and the world record on top of that is like a dream come true for me. "I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing support system and without them this wouldn’t be possible."
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson 
Photo © Casey Gibson
#Apeldoorn2019 Day 1 Recap
It was a triple treat for the Australian Cycling Team on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands with Paige Greco, Darren Hicks and David Nicholas claiming individual pursuit world titles. Debutant Paige Greco (SA) announced herself in the best way possible with a world record in qualifying and the world title in the C3 individual pursuit. Greco, who only began cycling two years ago, scorched the Apeldoorn track time of 4mins 0.206secs in qualifying to smash the existing world record by three seconds. The 22-year-old Adelaide cyclist proved it was no fluke as she posted 4mins 1.609secs in the final, even after overtaking her German opponent Denise Schindler. “I was really happy with the world record and then happy I could back it up in the final,” said Greco.
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson 
Photo © Casey Gibson
#Apeldoorn2019 Day 1 Recap
It was a triple treat for the Australian Cycling Team on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands with Paige Greco, Darren Hicks and David Nicholas claiming individual pursuit world titles. Queensland’s David Nicholas celebrated a third straight world crown in C3 individual pursuit category. “It feels so awesome, I can't explain the feeling,” Nicholas said. “It is hard to believe, but yes it is my third pursuit world title in a row. It takes a lot of effort to stay on top, but it is all worth it to get the rainbow jersey!” Fastest qualifier in the afternoon session (3:30.775), Nicholas, 27, powered to a personal best 3mins 29.879secs on his ways to an eight-second victory in the final over Spain’s Eduardo Santas. “My strategy in the qualifying was to ride a time that would earn me a place the gold medal ride, but I was rolling fast, and I qualified first. In the final, I set myself a goal as my PB and achieved that.” The reigning Paralympic champion Nicholas was quick to praise his support team. “Thanks so much to Cycling Australia for all the help and support this year. Thanks to my coach Nick Formosa for everything he has done for me.”
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson 
Photo Casey Gibson
#Apeldoorn2019 Day 1 Recap
It was a triple treat for the Australian Cycling Team on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands with Paige Greco, Darren Hicks and David Nicholas claiming individual pursuit world titles. Read More. “Right now I think I’m feeling every emotion possible,” said Darren Hicks after claiming his maiden world title. “I am excited & relieved, and in disbelief, I can't quite comprehend that I've finally got my first world championship and rainbow jersey, it's crazy!” Second fastest in C2 Individual Pursuit qualifying (3:42.709) behind Tristan Chernove (CAN) by less than half a second, before Hicks turned the tables on his Canadian opponent by three seconds in the final (3:45.390). “My plan for qualifying was the same thing we have been working on for months, that is until I came through on my second lap six-tenths up on my schedule,” said Hicks revealing it not all went according to his pre-race plan. “After that, it was 'hold on for dear life' and get through those last ten laps without blowing my left leg apart!! In the end, I think I was fortunate to scrape in as the second qualifier, but hey, I'll take some luck going my way for a change! “The final was a chance to make right what I did wrong in the qualifier, but unfortunately the tank was pretty empty from leaving it all out there on my first ride. So, in the end, I just settled to my schedule as best I could and tried to be as smooth as possible, the time is a little disappointing but in the end, the time doesn't matter in a medal ride off, just as long as you cross the line first.” The win comes after a tumultuous year for the 34-year-old Adelaide cyclist who in January had charges against him dropped for a freeway truck crash that killed two people in 2014, the same accident in which Hicks lost his right leg. “It has been a full on year, it was a long, agonising, very expensive road but it's behind me now, and I can finally focus fully on my racing,” Hicks said. “I just would like to say thanks to everyone that's helped me get to where I am today. I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given and am glad I could bring home the chocolates for the first time on the big stage! “A thank you to my awesome wife who supports me galavanting around the world riding my bike, your unreal babe, and I can't wait to show you the new bling!!”
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The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. More Photos © Casey B. Gibson 
The Australian team has settled into a chilly Apeldoorn in the Netherlands ahead of the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships which run 14-17 March.
The Championships offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries.
While it snows outside, many members of the team including former world champions Alistair Donohoe (VIC) has opted for time in the sauna!
Former world champion Tandem pairing Jessica Gallagher (VIC) and Pilot Madison Janssen (VIC) fine-tuned their preparations for the Championships at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Switzerland after the pair received an invitation to attend the International Training Camp. Read more. In the men's Tandem events Brad Henderson (SA) will be piloted by Luke Zaccaria.
The team will also feature reigning world champion David Nicholas (QLD), plus former world champions Amanda Reid (NSW) and Simone Kennedy (NSW).
​Emily Petricola (VIC) returns to the team following her outstanding debut at the 2018 World Championships which saw her bring home dual medals and the individual pursuit world record. 2018 World Championship scratch race silver medalist Darren Hicks (SA) will look to continue his strong form with a focus towards the timed events, while Paige Greco (SA), Michael Shippley (QLD) and Daniel Van der Laan (NSW) will make their national team debut.  The Australian Cycling Team is today proud to announce a two-year deal with Italian tyre maker Vittoria to supply the team with the new state-of-the-art Vittoria Graphene 2.0 tyre.
This deal will take the team through to the end of 2020 and gives certainty in terms of product quality and supply through the current four-year cycle. Vittoria will also be working with the Australian Cycling Team to get the most out of the new Vittoria Graphene 2.0 tyre. Kerrie Lee, Director Australian Distribution: “We are proud to continue our 16-year partnership with the Australian Track Cycling Team. Throughout this time Vittoria has united with the Track Team to produce the fastest track tyres in the world. With Vittoria’s new launch of Graphene 2.0 we are excited to know that the team will be on even faster tyres and can't wait to see the results.” Simon Jones, Performance Director, Cycling Australia: “Vittoria tyres are the leading tyre brand in the world and this agreement is fantastic for the team in the lead up to Tokyo. Vittoria have a history of continuous improvement and innovation which fits well with our performance first philosophy”. The Vittoria Graphene 2.0 tyre: “...the new 2.0 graphene is functionalized to enhance specific tire performances. In other words, where the first generation of graphene compounds raised the bar evenly, Graphene 2.0 pin-points each performance metric, and increases it disproportionately to the rest. Vittoria is now able to apply Graphene in such a way that it can achieve a performance boost specifically for speed, wet grip, durability and puncture resistance.” vittoria.com
 Australian Para-cycling duo Jessica Gallagher and Pilot Madison Janssen will fine-tune their final preparations for the 2019 Track World Championships at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Switzerland after the pair received an invitation to attend the International Training Camp. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to train in a new environment and experience the high-performance centre,” said Gallagher. “We are looking forward to training alongside and learning from the international riders and in particular tandems as we don’t get to experience this in our daily training environment in Australia. “The centre encompasses all the facilities an athlete needs which will allow us to focus on our final preparations and being based in the Swiss Alps, we think it will have some pretty nice views too!” The trip will provide another opportunity for Janssen to hone her skills in the specialised Pilot role and the Victorian is aiming to absorb as much as possible across the two-week camp. “I have been blessed to have some great coaches in the past such as Jason Niblett and Alex Bird and currently I have been under the watchful eye of one of the best sprint coaches Shane Kelly,” Janssen explained. “So for me, it will be taking in how others coach a tandem, and it will be nice to pick up some new things and bring them back home.” The duo won dual silver at the 2018 World Championships in Rio, and are chasing their own personal best in Apeldoorn while watching for the strong British outfit. “Coming off two second places at both the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in 2018 we are looking to bridge the gap between us and Great Britain who took home all four gold in 2018 (in World Record times),” said Gallagher, “While also knowing there are some teams hot on our heels, so it’s going to be a tight competition! “Personal best performances will put us in strong contention.” Janssen is confident the team can deliver following a solid build up in Australia prior to the camp. “I think for us as a pairing; it is an excellent opportunity to nail everything that we have worked on over the past few months,” said Janssen. “And if we execute these things then I can see us achieving our goals, any time less than previous is one step closer to the top step.” Gallagher is also excited about a new opportunity to race in the Tandem team sprint which will be held for the first time at the 2019 World Championships. “While it is an exhibition event this year we are excited the UCI is acknowledging the incredible spectator events that tandem sprint racing is and giving us the opportunity to show it to the World in the hope that it may become a Paralympic event in the future. “ Gallagher and Janssen will depart Switzerland on March 10 to join the Australian team in Apeldoorn for the Championships which will be the first Paralympic qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. “It’s exciting to think of the big 18 months ahead, Tokyo is firmly in sight, and with the World Champs being the first qualification opportunity, the whole Australian team is focused on putting their best foot forward,” Gallagher added. The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. Website.   The Australian Cycling BMX team is celebrating after a successful weekend at C1 events across the globe BMX FREESTYLE There were dual celebrations for Brandon Loupos who claimed two C1 events in Canada. Sydney's Loupos won the Canadian Joyride150 event in Toronto, and with an international field in below freezing conditions, was grateful that the competition was indoors on an amazing skate park. Brandon followed this with a win on the Sunday at the Toronto X jam event. Brandon currently resides in North Carolina USA as he prepares for the 2019 World Cup season which begins in Japan on April 19. Logan Martin continues to sweat it up in during his Australian season, taking the win at Brisbane's Village Skate Park in his first contest back from injuring his ankle prior to the 2018 World Championships in November. Completing his rehab at his Australian base, Martin will begin a busy 2019 season in Costa Rica next weekend with for the X Knights competition / show. BMX RACING  Kai Sakakibara celebrated two wins on the Westside BMX track in Perth Australia at the first UCI C1 event of 2019.
As an official UCI (cycling’s international governing body) endorsed event, both races offered riders the ability to win Olympic qualification points, that in turn can earn quota spots for Australia for the Olympics in Tokyo next year. For Sakakibara, the victory capped a perfect weekend from a results standpoint with the 22-year-old winning all eight races he contested on Saturday and Sunday, but the notoriously hard marker was still looking for improvement. “It was really fast paced racing all the way through and obviously a little bit more on the line for me and a few of the other guys in particular, especially when we are aiming for Olympic points and our overall UCI ranking as well,” Sakakibara said. Kai will being his European tour at the end of the month and will base himself Europe from March through until June as he prepares for the World Championships in Belgium. 
Image: Casey Gisbon
Australia has finished the 2019 UCI Track World Championships in Poland in second place overall with ten medals, tying the Netherlands for the most gold medals with six. Underlining this consistent display across the Championships, the team boasted a result inside the top six in all but one Olympic event.
Adelaide’s Alex Manly continued the rainbow connection for the women’s track endurance squad with an electrifying victory in the 100-lap points race, while the vintage form of Sydney’s Kaarle McCulloch continued as she completed a set of medals with a surprise silver in the keirin. Sprint world champion from 2018 Matthew Glaetzer finished just off the podium in fourth, as did two-time world champions Leigh Howard and Cameron Meyer in the Madison. “Fantastic results, ten medals is tremendous, but more importantly it is about the performances,” said Cycling Australia Performance Director Simon Jones. “We saw some really good results across the board. The men’s team pursuit stands out clearly, a world record performance and by such a margin. “The women’s endurance squad’s performance was outstanding, there has been through quite a big change in the program and the girls have really bought in, there is good energy. “The women's team sprint gold which equally shows that they keep getting better as a team. Matt [Glaetzer] had a big season and to perform the way he did here, to finish fourth is a good result considering what we are trying to achieve at the moment. “From here we stop, to try to learn, not just from the World Championships, and to keep asking ourselves what we need to do. I think it the trick to this is to make sure we get the fundamentals right and we don’t make it too complicated because I think we are where we need to be at the moment.” WATCH
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 Kaarle McCulloch celebrates a complete set of medals. Image: Casey Gibson The stellar form of Kaarle McCulloch continued with the Sydney cyclist completing a set of medals, winning a surprise silver in the keirin final. McCulloch added to her team sprint gold and time trial bronze with a storming ride to finish behind Hong Kong’s Wai Sze Lee who rode to her second gold medal of the Championships. “With the new format of the keirins, I was unsure how I would handle it with more rides, but I got better with my execution as my rides went on. In the final, I had to get better at finding the gaps, and I ended up getting Lee’s wheel,” said McCulloch. “I can’t quite believe this right now, the keirin is my last focus so it is nice to know that I can actually do it and encouraging as we head towards Tokyo. “This is ten years on from my first world title in Poland, I am still improving, I am setting personal bests. I love the environment here at Cycling Australia, working with Steph is amazing, we have a good partnership going on. “We have a common dream heading towards Tokyo and hopefully we can sign seal and deliver that dream.” Stephanie Morton, who looked in ominous form after storming to three straight wins in the heat, quarterfinals and semifinals, finished in fourth. The result capped a strong week from the South Australian who claimed sprint gold (with McCulloch) and a third straight World Championships sprint silver medal. MEN'S SPRINT Glaetzer battle's Jeffrey Hoogland (NED) in the semi finals. Image Casey Gibson Matthew Glaetzer wrapped up his 2019 UCI Track World Championships with a fourth in the men’s sprint, his second result just off the podium after also finishing fourth in the keirin.
Since winning the world title in the Netherlands twelve months ago, it has been a packed schedule for Glaetzer which took in both National and Oceania Championships, Commonwealth Games, the Japanese keirin season, plus four rounds to open the recent 2018/19 World Cup season which netted three gold and one silver. On Saturday, fifth fastest qualifier Glaetzer looked on track for a successful title defence with strong rides sending him to the semi-final against Jeffrey Hoogland (NED). However, on Sunday, the Dutch rider was too strong for the South Australian in their clash in two straight rides, ending the reigning champion’s hope of becoming just the second Australian to defend a sprint world crown. Up against hometown hero Rudyk (POL) and a parochial crowd in the bronze medal final, Glaetzer took the win in their first heat, before later being relegated for entering the sprinter’s lane. Riding a wave of red and white flags, Rudyk overcame Glaetzer in the front straight in their second heat to take the bronze medal. 
Alex Manly celebrates her second title of the UCI World Championships. Image: Casey Gibson
Alexandra Manly claimed her second rainbow jersey of the 2019 World Championships with an electrifying victory in the 100-lap points race.
“I can’t believe what just happened just then, it is still a blur, it is so super special,” said Manly, who announced her race intentions early by figuring in the points in the opening two of ten sprint competitions. A conservative next thirty laps ensued before Manly launched a decisive move at the halfway mark. Together with Yang (KOR), Manly took a lap on the field and with it twenty bonus points and the race lead. Boylan (IRE) and Badykova (RUS) teamed to try to put a halt to Australia’s third women’s endurance world title of the week when they took a late lap, pushing Manly into third overall. Manly’s smart tactical race paid dividends as she finished among the points in the final sprint which elevated her to the top of the podium. “The plan worked out perfectly. I conserved energy at the start but still managed to get points,” Manly explained. “Then I recovered, recovered, recovered and when the moment was there I attacked. “I knew I had to go for a lap as I knew I would need a big chunk of points if I wanted to be in the mix for the medals. I just needed to stay composed for the final sprint, and I did.” The win was the women’s endurance squad’s third of the week, with Manly joining Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW), Amy Cure (TAS), Annette Edmondson (SA) and Georgia Baker (TAS) to claim the team pursuit title, while Ankudinoff won the individual pursuit. Cure and Baker also claimed Madison silver, while Edmondson finished fifth in the omnium. “This week has been super special, Ash getting the rainbows yesterday was so inspiring. And the girls in the Madison last night, they fought all the way, they almost had it. And also to Nettie, she only had one mistake which cost her but she fought to the end.” Men’s Madison
Image Casey Gibson
The Madison always promises and never fails to deliver, with the Australian pairing of Leigh Howard and Cameron Meyer edged off the podium in the dying stages of the 50km Madison final in which riders averaged an astonishing 59.2km/h.
The Aussie duo set the tone early, duelling with the Polish pairing and an excited crowd to sit atop the rankings equal with the home team after 5 (of 20) sprints. At this point, eventual gold medallists Germany made their first serious play for a medal, taking a lap on the field. This move was immediately answered by Australia, Denmark, Great Britain and Belgium. Second overall at the halfway mark, Howard and Meyer took another lap and for the rest of the race they desperately fought for a spot on the podium. However, the Aussie pairing was pushed out of the medals in a see sawing final fifty laps which saw multiple laps taken by the German, Belgian and Danish outfits in a thrilling end to the race.  Credit Casey Gisbon Reigning sprint world champion Matthew Glaetzer’s title defence is on track with the South Australian powering his way through the men’s sprint semi-finals in Poland.
Glaetzer began with the fifth fastest qualifying ride (9.706, 80km/h) on Saturday afternoon, before defeating for Quintero (COL) and Fukaya (JPN) in two solid rounds of 1/16 & 1/18 rides.He stormed into the semi-finals after defeating New Zealand’s Ethan Mitchell in two commanding rides in their quarterfinals match up. The sprint competition continues on Sunday afternoon, with Glaetzer to face Jeffrey Hoogland in the semi-final. Nathan Hart (ACT) qualified seventh fastest in 9.733secs and defeated Peralta (ESP) in their round of 1/16, match up. Hart edged on the line by Joseph Truman (GBR) in the 1/8 final, however, the Brit was later relegated for improper riding. In the quarterfinal, Hart’s campaign came to an end after he was defeated by Harrie Lavreysen (NED) in two straight heats.  Credit Casey Gisbon Chasing a third rainbow jersey of the week following his sensational victories in the team pursuit and scratch races on Thursday, Perth’s Sam Welsford’s shot at triple glory in Poland came unstuck at the hands- and feet- of a fallen opponent.
Opening his account with a second place in the scratch race, Welsford’s campaign literally hit a speed bump when he crashed into a falling Dutch rider midway through the second event, the tempo race. The tough as nails Welsford, rejoined the race sporting scrapes, bruises and a ripped skinsuit, and would eventually finish a gallant eleventh which moved him to fifth overall. Feeling the effects of the crash, Welsford took an earlier than expected exit from the elimination race, with fifteenth place dropping him to ninth overall and thirty points from the lead heading into the final event, the points race. Despite his best efforts, Welsford was unable to move up the rankings in a punishing 120-lap race that was won by New Zealand’s Ethan Hayter.  Credit Casey Gisbon Two days after claiming the team sprint world title, Sydney’s Kaarle McCulloch broke through her for maiden individual World Championship medal with bronze in the 500m time trial.
McCulloch, 31, bolted from the gates to set a personal best time of 33.556secs (averaging 54.54km/h) and the second fastest ride of the afternoon qualifying session. The 2018 Commonwealth champion then bettered her time in the final by a further tenth of a second (33.419) which secured her first podium appearance in an individual event. “I couldn’t have done anything more execution-wise tonight. I knew the rest of the girls would be even faster in the final, and they were, as was I. So to get that bronze medal is just an amazing feeling,” said McCulloch, who completed the set of medals for the women’s sprint team in Poland, with her bronze adding to the team sprint rainbow jersey and Morton’s sprint silver. McCulloch, who won her first of four career world titles on this very Polish Velodrome in 2009, is in vintage form with World Championship, World Cup and Commonwealth gold, plus personal and Australian record times in all timed events within the past twelve months. “That old saying that age is just a number I think is really true. I feel for me I have grown a lot over the last ten years. I was that athlete who was a little bit anxious and nervous and it has taken me a little time to understand how I work, and myself a little more. “Things are starting to come together. I still feel like I have some improvement left in me which is the most important thing. And I am still enjoying it, which is the main reason I ride my bike. You have to love what you do and I absolutely love it.“ McCulloch’s 2019 World Championships campaign continues on the final day of competition with the keirin where she will be joined by Stephanie Morton. “Keirin tomorrow, it is the Olympic format which is a few more races than usual which suits me. I will see what I can do, the sprint and team sprint is more my focus, but you never know what can happen in the keirin so we will see."  Credit Casey Gisbon Team pursuit world champions Amy Cure and Georgia Baker teamed to win the silver medal in a thrilling women’s Madison final.
“It was a pretty full on race, right from the get-go it was on. There were many crashes out there, but Amy stayed safe, riding the front of the race as much as we could,” said Baker. The Tasmanian duo took maximum points in the opening sprint of the 120-lap race (which featured twelve sprints), before the powerhouse Netherlands pairing of Kirsten Wild and Amy Pieters put claim to multiple sprint wins and a 13 point lead at the halfway mark. After winning the seventh sprint, the Australians moved back into second place, before the race was stopped by officials to enable a rider from New Zealand to receive medical attention after crashing. “After the crash, Jason just got us together for a chat, and we were really positive,” said Baker. “When the race restarted, we knew we had to retake control of it, we knew we had the legs we just needed to hold the front position and set up the sprints for each other.” The pair did just that, taking maximum points in both the ninth and the tenth sprints to move closer to top of the standings. Despite Cure throwing everything at the final sprint, the Australians would finish just two points shy of the Dutch who took the rainbow jersey. “It was great out there, quite hectic, definitely had our heart rates up,” said Cure, who claimed bronze in 2017 with Alexandra Manly in the first women’s Madison held at a World Championships. “We made a few mistakes out there, and it is great to see how well we went with the mistakes we did make, it is a promising sign moving forward towards Tokyo. “It has been a great week, we came here with a goal to ride a certain (team pursuit) time and to achieve that and pull on the rainbow stripes was pretty special. "We would have loved to get double gold, but we have to look at what we have achieved and not be disappointed. We have come so far and to get gold and silver... we are both so proud.” 
Credit Casey Gisbon
Forty-eight hours after soaring to the team pursuit world title, Sydney’s Ashlee Ankudinoff produced a stirring victory in the individual pursuit.
“It is pretty surreal, normally I have been up on the top step with some teammates- that was a very special moment” said Ankudinoff, who shared the podium with Amy Cure (TAS), Annette Edmondson (SA) and Georgia Baker (TAS) after winning the team pursuit event on Wednesday. “I have wanted this individual pursuit world title for a very long time, and I am speechless at the moment. “I am sure it will sink in the next couple of days, for the moment I am just soaking it all up because it is a moment I never want to forget.” A two-time World Championship medallist in the three-kilometre individual race against the clock, Ankudinoff scorched the track with a new Australian record of 3:25.921 in her Saturday afternoon qualifying ride. In the evening’s final against Lisa Brennauer (GER), Ankudinoff lead at every time check of the 12-lap race to produce a near carbon copy of her qualifying ride with a time of 3:25.971, averaging 51.67km/h “Jason just put me on a schedule, and I went out and did my thing,” Ankudinoff said. “I just really broke the ride down, made sure I executed all my skills, and I knew if I did that correctly, I knew I could do something special.” The win is a crowning achievement for the veteran Ankudinoff who claimed the 2008 junior world title in the event before making her elite national team debut one year later at the same Pruszkow Velodrome in Poland. Earlier this week she became the only Australian to have won three team pursuit world titles before finally grabbing individual glory. “It is a long time- ten years- some people will ask what keeps me going because I have been in the sport for quite a long time at the top level,” the 2016 Olympian said. “But I am in a great environment, I have a great group of girls, and I work with great people, and that motivates me to reach my goals. “This is very special, but I haven’t reached all my goals yet, and the ultimate is gold in Tokyo 2020 and that is what I am aiming for.” While happy to celebrate her individual glory, Ankudinoff was quick to praise the Australian Cycling Team staff. “I knew we would do something special this week; I think all the results here stems from behind the scenes hard work. I think we have the easy job as riders going out there on the track just doing our thing. “A lot of behind the scenes work happens and credit to all the support staff here and back at home. It is a privilege to work with them.  Cam Scott powering through the time trial. Image: Casey Gisbon Just 24 hours after stunning the track cycling world by obliterating the team pursuit world record, Alex Porter, Kelland O’Brien and Cameron Scott shelved their rainbow jerseys to contest Friday’s schedule.
Debutant Scott clocked a personal best of 1mins 0.790secs for the four-lap time trial, the fifth fastest of the afternoon’s qualifying session. Scott emphasised his claim to be among the best in the world in the final with his 1min 1.048secs placing him fifth overall. After teaming with O’Brien, Leigh Howard and Sam Welsford to post the new world mark of 3mins 48.012secs in the four-kilometre team pursuit, Porter took on the individual event over the same distance, finishing fourteenth (4:25.562). In a punishing 160-lap points race, O’Brien pounced to take a solo lap and with it twenty points to move into third overall after forty laps. A sate of attacks ensued over the next eighty laps, and with half the field lapping the field at some point. O’Brien took another solo lap inside the final fifty laps to move into the bronze medal position, however, his opponents responded and his advantage quickly absorbed over the final twenty laps, before he finished a gallant seventh overall.  image via Casey Gibson In just her fifth international competition in the new four-race format, Annette Edmondson finished fifth in the women’s omnium.
The South Australian opened her campaign with a controlled second place in the scratch race before a tenth place in the tempo race placed fourth overall at the halfway mark of the competition. Edmondson’s run at the podium took a dent after finishing fourteenth in the elimination race which dropped her down to sixth overall, twenty-eight points reigning world champion Kirsten Wild (NED) heading into the final event, the points race. Early in the 80-lap race, Edmondson dropped to seventh however she launched herself midway through the race into medal contention after taking a solo lap and with it twenty bonus points. Despite her best efforts in the final thirty laps, Edmondson could not gain an advantage on the four riders ahead of her and finished fifth overall, just five points off the bronze medal. “I would have liked to have had a different result today, but I made a big mistake, and there was nothing I could do about it,” said Edmondson, referring to her elimination race result. “But you just have to put your head back on and think about the last race to come and how to change the result. “I had to do something in the points race, I managed to take a lap, but in the end, it took it out of me. I gave it everything I could and fifth was the best I could manage on the day.” The 2012 Olympic medallist and 2015 world champion in the now-defunct six-race format, Edmondson is still finding her feet in the four-race program. “I like that it is in one day, but I am still getting used to it and there is still a lot to learn of the new format,” said Edmondson, who took gold at the World Cup in New Zealand in January. “I need to get better at the tempo race, so it wasn’t like I had a perfect race other than the elimination race today. “But practice makes perfect and I will have a lot more opportunities out there before the big one in Tokyo. “Yes, it is disappointing today, but it makes you hungrier.” 
Photo © Casey Gibson
Two days after pulling on the team sprint rainbow jersey, South Australia’s Stephanie Morton (SA) claimed a third consecutive World Championship sprint silver medal.
“You can never be upset with three straight podium appearances at a World Championships,” said Morton, “Yes, it wasn’t the gold, but you have to put it into perspective that I am actually being consistent at a standard enough to get medals at a World Championships.”
At the Pruszkow Velodrome on Thursday, Morton topped the flying 200m qualifying for the fourth-straight World Championships with a time of 10.546secs (averaging 68.272km/h). She then progressed unscathed to the semi-finals with wins over Madalyn Godby (USA) and Olena Starikova (UKR).
Morton was dominant in her semi-final defeat of rising star Lea Sophie Friedrich (GER) , beating the German in straight heats, setting up a tantalising clash with Lee, with the pair claiming five of the six World Cup sprint gold on offer this season. In the first heat, Lee turned on her speed to reel in Morton on the home straight for the win. Morton took it to Lee in the second heat with a surprise attack with two laps to go, however, it wasn’t enough to hold Lee claimed her maiden world title. “She is absolutely on fire at the moment, she was amazing when I raced her at the World Cups and I knew it was going to be some tough racing,” said Morton, who celebrated her maiden elite world title on Wednesday in the team sprint with Kaarle McCulloch. “I ticked boxes today, but I also made mistakes. The first ride in final I wasn’t too happy with, I made one small mistake and it was race over. Not unhappy with the final, still yet to go over it. “But we will go through and see what we got right and what we didn’t.” For the 28-year-old Morton, it continued a consistent 2018/19 season which saw her top the sprint qualification, while claiming two gold, silver and a bronze in the four World Cups she entered. “I feel like every race I go into now I am more confident, am racing better... the exposure we are getting consistently racing at this higher level I feel more prepared going in,” Morton said. “When I first started racing at this level, I was so nervous. “Now it is cool calm and collected. You have a job to do and you get it done, simple as that.” Morton will now have a day off before contesting the keirin on the final day of the Championships on Sunday. “Kick the heels up tomorrow (Saturday), have a bit of rest and recovery, and we will see what happens in the keirin on Sunday. We all know what that is like, it is unpredictable, so bring it on.”  Photo © Casey Gibson April 2018 - Commonwealth Games - Australia - 3:49.804.
February 2019 - World Championships - Poland - 3:48.012. Australia’s Leigh Howard (VIC), Kelland O’Brien (VIC), Samuel Welsford (WA) and Alex Porter (SA) smashed their own world record by nearly two seconds on the way to reclaiming the rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Poland on Thursday. The Australian quartet, guided by Tim Decker, brought the Polish crowd to its feet as they scorched the Pruszkow Velodrome in a new world record time of 3mins 48.012secs (averaging 63.155km/h), bettering the astonishing ride at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (3:49.804) where they became the first team in history to crack the three-minute fifty barrier. “I am lost for words, this team is proving to be more and more special every time we come together,” said O’Brien. `“What can I say except thank you, I am so grateful to be a part of this team,” said Howard. “I am fortunate that I have come back into the program with such a fantastic group, not just the riders but the staff has developed so much since I was last in the program and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone.” “Its a bit surreal to be honest,” said Porter. “I knew the boys were going quick, but I didn’t think we were going that fast. I can’t put this into words properly, its crazy. “It has been a rough season, I missed the first half rehabbing. Ten weeks ago when I broke eight bones and punctured a lung, I was just hoping to be here.” Welsford, Howard, O’Brien, and debutant Cameron Scott (NSW) opened the team’s 2019 World’s campaign in style on Wednesday with the fastest qualifying time (3:52.152). With Porter coming in for Scott, the quartet set a cracking near world-record pace in their first round matchup against New Zealand. However, they lost momentum when they were forced to navigate a splintered New Zealand after catching them with three laps to go before posting a time of 3mins 51.529. Traditional rivals Great Britain didn’t stand a chance in the battle for the gold when the Australians pulled the throttle from the gun and never let go. Great Britain post a time of 3mins 50.810secs to win silver. The team’s coach, Tim Decker was almost lost for words after the win. “I’m a bit emotional,” revealed Decker. “It’s been a fantastic night and we probably exceeded our expectations in regard to time in the TP. “We came in here with a real focus to nail our ride and try to execute a good, skilled ride and try to find a way to make it happen and give those guys a chance to chase the rainbow bands and they were hungry to chase. “Yesterday we had a few challenges thrown at us, but we made our way into the final but they brought it together and came away with a pretty magical time.” Less than half an hour ride and still dripping with sweat following the team pursuit world record ride, Welsford claimed a dramatic late victory in the scratch race. “It has been a crazy thirty minutes, I am gobsmacked,” a shocked Welsford said. “To do a forty-eight with my boys Kel, Cam, Leigh, Porter, that’s the best thing I could ever imagine. “To break our own world record and leading into the Olympics next year is bloody awesome. “The icing on the cake is the win in the scratch race. It’s a dream come true for us. |
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