Photo - Guy Swarbrick
Reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer (SA) is aiming to take his sensational early season form into next week’s 2019 UCI Track World Championships in Poland.
It was a near-perfect start to the 2018/19 season for the South Australian who powered to three gold and one silver across the first four World Cup sprint competitions in November and December. Glaetzer also clocked a flying 200m of 9.502sec early in the season, just shy of his 9.459sec personal best set five years ago (at altitude). “I haven’t had a better season, the World Cups were almost flawless, except for the last (fourth round) one which took its toll,” said Glaetzer. “There is some strong competition, it's tough. Yes, I won three out of four, but it was very close all the way through.” Glaetzer has admitted there is a different feeling on the eve of his ninth World Championships campaign which could see him join John Nicholson (1975, 76) as the second Australian to win two sprint world titles. “This year is different being reigning sprint world champion, but I see it as another challenge in my career,” explained Glaetzer. “I have taken a step towards that higher position in the port, but it is a good challenge, it won’t be easy, more pressure and expectation from myself and externally.”
Glaetzer headlines a strong sprint quartet which features Olympians Patrick Constable (SA) and Nathan Hart (ACT) plus nineteen-year-old debutant Matthew Richardson (WA).
“It is exciting times in the Australian sprint team,” said Glaetzer of the squad which won ten medals including six gold over the six-round 2018/19 World Cup season. Glaetzer will line up in the sprint and keirin, while Constable, Hart and Richardson - who claimed team sprint gold at the final round of the World Cup in Hong Kong - will form the team sprint outfit. “Matt Richardson has been exciting, pretty impressive at a young age, but we are not putting pressure on him, he is there to experience it and enjoy it and see what he can do. “Hopefully, I might be able to slot in and give it a rip and see what we can do as a country.” In addition to chasing rainbows, Glaetzer remains focussed on continual improvements ahead of the Worlds, and ultimately the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games which looms in eighteen months. “I want to race well, race smart, minimise mistakes,” Glaetzer said. “If you can nail that, the results will flow. “Also continuing to improve on a few weaknesses of mine. It is a project with myself and the staff, just to keep developing, keep getting better, because everyone else is as well. “I have to keep the edge on the competition.” 
The Australian Team is scheduled to arrive in Pruszkow, Poland on Wednesday 20 February ahead of the 2019 UCI Track World Championships which will be held from 27 February to 3 March.
Glaetzer will be in action in the keirin on day two (Thursday), while the sprint begins on day three (Friday) and concludes on Saturday. SCHEDULE
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2019 UCI Track World Championships - Poland 
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With the Olympic debut of BMX Freestyle Park now less than 18 months away, Australia’s Logan Martin and Brandon Loupos have ramped up their preparations with a visit to the Australian Cycling Team Headquarters in Adelaide.
Having delivered the BMX High-Performance Program within Australia over the last twelve years as recognised by the Australian Olympic Committee and the UCI, Cycling Australia recently introduced a number of changes within its 2020-24 High-Performance Strategy. In addition to solidifying the BMX Supercross program, a select number of BMX Freestyle Park athletes were identified as medal potentials and subsequently are now supported by individual scholarships. BMX Freestyle Park, which makes its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, is an adrenaline-fuelled mix of tricks and jumps taking place over a series of ramps and large obstacles within a 30mx50m park. Athletes complete two one-minute runs each, with judges scoring on difficulty, originality, style, flow, risk, height and execution of tricks. Australia’s athletes have excelled in the format in recent years with Logan Martin, claiming the inaugural World Championships in 2017, while Brandon Loupos won World Championships bronze in 2018. The pair has medalled at numerous World Cup events over the past few seasons, while also standout performers on the lucrative X-Games circuit.
Along with Australian Cycling Team BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes, Martin and Loupos visited the Australian Cycling Team training base in Adelaide to meet performance coaching, support and operational staff.
The visit included one on one meetings with Strength And Power Coach Scott Baker, Nutritionist Jill Leckey, and Team Doctor Mark Fisher. Martin and Loupos also swapped their BMX bikes for Argon track bikes for a track session with sprint world champion Matthew Glaetzer, while also working out in the gym with the men’s track endurance squad. For Martin, the visit was a realisation of the high-quality resources and support network available to all Australian Cycling Team athletes. “It is super cool to catch up on knowledge and experience this place has to offer, we've certainly got all the resources we need to be at the top of our games,” said Martin. “We have an exciting journey ahead over the next 16 months, and we will be keeping in contact to ensure I can stay at my peak performance.” 
Loupos was equally taken back by the welcome into the program and the wider cycling Australian Cycling Team family.
“This place speaks for itself, the gym and athletes are great, a great positive vibe,” echoed Loupos. “I was welcomed by all the great staff, meeting all the track guys was a cool experience. “As we move towards Tokyo, it is only going to get better and more positive and breed success.” 
Australian Cycling Team BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes is excited about the difference the support network will have on the athletes as they fine-tune their Olympic preparations.
“It is a great opportunity to have the freestyle guys here at the Australian Cycling Team training facility in Adelaide, to see the support network and different aspects that will make a difference to them in competition,” Bootes said. “We look forward to exploring different things, going deeper and focussing what each athlete needs going into Tokyo.” 
 Cycling Australia is pleased to announce a 17-rider team for the 2019 UCI Track World Championships to be held in Poland from 27 February to 3 March.
Team pursuit world record holders Leigh Howard (VIC), Kelland O’Brien (VIC), Alexander Porter (SA) and Samuel Welsford (WA) feature in the men’s endurance selections with Cameron Scott (NSW) who will make his World Championship debut. Nine-time world champion Cameron Meyer (WA) is also confirmed. Commonwealth Games champions Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW), Amy Cure (TAS), Annette Edmondson (SA) and Alexandra Manly (SA), plus Georgia Baker (TAS), comprise the women’s endurance selections. Reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer (SA) headlines the men’s sprint quartet with Patrick Constable (SA) and Nathan Hart (ACT), with nineteen-year-old Podium Potential Academy member Matthew Richardson (WA) named to his maiden elite World Championship team. Sprint silver medallist at the past two World Championships Stephanie Morton (SA), and Kaarle McCulloch (NSW) complete the women’s sprint selections. “These World Championships provide a great opportunity to benchmark where we are at against the world’s best,” said Simon Jones, Performance Director, Cycling Australia. “However the focus will be about learning rather than winning. As we build towards Tokyo the focus will increasingly be on performance, but performing with a clear strategy and winning processes.” The team will finalise preparations in Adelaide before departing Australia on February 20. Australian Team Endurance
Sprint
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2019 UCI Track World Championships 
Photo - Guy Swarbrick
The Australian Cycling Team has been crowned overall 2018/19 UCI World Cup winners following an emphatic final World Cup round held at the Hong Kong Velodrome.
Australia claimed three gold, three silver and two bronze across the three days, highlighted by dual gold to Thomas Clarke, 23, in the sprint and team sprint with teenagers James Brister, 19, and Matthew Richardson, 19, plus omnium gold to Cameron Meyer. Overall across the six-round World Cup series, Australia won 34 medals including 13 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze. “It is a great team effort, a mixture of committed athletes, committed staff, everyone working together, I think it is a great thing to celebrate,” said Jon Norfolk, Head of Performance Pathways and People, Cycling Australia. “Across this season we witnessed great results and performances from athletes within the Podium program and the Podium Potential Academy. It is so great to have two separate tiers of our program able to perform on this kind of stage, to be able to refine and improve. “It is also great to see both programs supporting each other as well, we have podium athletes supporting our younger athletes, and in turn, they are being inspired by racing and training with their heroes. “It is a really infectious environment.”
RECAPS:
Sunday Forty-eight hours after teaming winning gold in the team sprint, Podium Potential Academy members Thomas Clarke, 23, and James Brister, 19, battled each other for gold in the individual sprint with Clarke taking the top step of the podium. In a heartbreaking end to the men’s 30km Madison, Sam Welsford, 23, and Kelland O’Brien, 20, were edged into the silver medal position by New Zealand in the final sprint of the 120-lap race. Alexandra Manly staged an epic comeback inside the final twenty laps of the points race to win bronze in women’s omnium. Teenage debutant Alexandra Martin-Wallace shone in the scratch race, coming over the top of a fast finishing bunch to win silver. Read full Sunday report Saturday A calculated performance from Cameron Meyer, saw the 31-year-old claim an emphatic gold in his first international omnium competition. In her first race at the World Cup level since 2016 after suffering a broken foot and chronic back injuries, Caitlin Ward, 24, netted her best World Cup performance finishing eighth with a competition personal best 11.022seconds in the flying 200m. Read full Omnium & Women's Sprint report Friday The Australian Cycling Team’s Podium Potential Academy riders stole the show on the opening day of competition with teenagers James Brister, 19, and Matthew Richardson, 19, bolting from the gates on their World Cup debut, with Thomas Clarke, 23, to win gold in the men’s team sprint. In the team pursuit, the teenage quartet of Jarrad Drizners, 19, Godfrey Slattery, 18 Conor Leahy, 19, and Luke Plapp, 18, won bronze in just their second World Cup event. The women’s endurance quartet of Maeve Plouffe, 19, Alexandra Manly, 22, and World Cup debutantsAlexandra Martin-Wallace and Sophie Edwards, both 18, finished fifth overall. Read full Team Pursuit & Team Sprint reports  Photos - Guy Swarbrick The Australian Cycling Team claimed three gold, three silver and two bronze at the final 2018/19 UCI World Cup round held at the Hong Kong Velodrome highlighted by dual gold to Thomas Clarke, 23, in the sprint and team sprint with teenagers James Brister, 19, and Matthew Richardson, 19, plus omnium gold to Cameron Meyer. Forty-eight hours after teaming winning gold in the team sprint, Podium Potential Academy members Thomas Clarke, 23, and James Brister, 19, faced off for gold in the individual sprint. Fifth fastest qualifier Brister (9.925) and seventh fastest Clarke (9.979) made their way unscathed through the rounds, with teenage Brister accounting for three-time sprint world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Theo Bos (NED) in the quarterfinals in straight heats. Clarke took care of Nicholas Paul (TTO) also in two rides. Brister and Clarke then set up the all Aussie final with two strong straight-heat semifinal victories over Chao Xu (CHN) and Quentin Caleyron (FRA) respectively. In the final, Clarke proved too good on the day for his younger opponent in straight heats. The win made it five gold from six events in the men’s sprint across the World Cup season after Matthew Glaetzer won the first three rounds and Nathan Hart collected gold in round five. “Honestly I don’t think it has sunk in, I still can’t believe it. I woke up this morning with no expectations apart form coming here qualifying the best I can and having a race,” said Clarke, who also won team sprint silver last week in New Zealand in round five of the World Cup. “I took it one race at a time, had a few close calls to make it through and then couldn’t believe it when James and I both made the gold medal ride off. “At that point, either way, however it finished I was just proud of our team and what we have achieved this week.”  Photos - Guy Swarbrick In a heartbreaking end the men’s 30km Madison, Sam Welsford and Kelland O’Brien were edged into the silver medal position by New Zealand in the final sprint of the 120-lap race. The Aussie pair set the pace early, claiming the race lead after the second sprint. However, France and New Zealand surged to take the lead over the Australians at the halfway mark. With dual Madison world champion Cameron Meyer calling the shots from the sidelines, the Australians pounced inside the final forty laps to take a lap on the field, and with the twenty bonus points, they regained the race lead. A litany of attacks ensued in an animated final thirty laps, with New Zealand stealing the win on the final sprint, leapfrogging the Australians onto the top step of the podium. “It was pretty hard out there, we knew we had to be on our game,” said Welsford. “We knew we had to score early and take a late lap if we needed and we did that. But we just got caught behind a few riders and missed out on that final sprint.”  Photos - Guy Swarbrick Alexandra Manly staged an epic comeback inside the final twenty laps of the points race to win bronze in women’s omnium.
It wasn’t an ideal start to the four-event omnium for Manly after finishing fifteenth in the scratch race. However second in the tempo and fifth in the elimination placed her in sight of the podium heading into her favourite event, the 80-lap points race. Trailing third place by nineteen points, Manly took a solo lap inside the final twenty laps which launched her into third and onto the podium. “I had a bad scratch race, so I knew I had to have a good points race and use my strengths,” said Manly. “With twenty laps to go I knew it was my last opportunity, so I went as deep as I could because I knew if I did I was guaranteed to win a medal. It was a major fight, but I got there.” The result continues Manly’s return to competition after breaking her shoulder late in 2018. “For me, it was important for my confidence as it has been two months of solid training, so it was nice to get used to the bunch again and it was pretty nice to come away with the medal.” Teenage debutant Alexandra Martin-Wallace shone in the scratch race, coming over the top of a fast finishing bunch to win silver. “I am really happy, certainly wasn’t expecting a medal going into the event,” said Martin-Wallace after her third event of her maiden World Cup. Martin-Wallace finished fifth in the team pursuit on day one and with Maeve Plouffe, was stoic in an intense Madison contest on day two. “I was so nervous, my goal was to just get as much experience as I could, got some wise words before the race from my coach Rohan Wight, and I am just over the moon with the result.” Podium Potential Academy member Caitlin Ward continued her strong weekend form with seventh overall in the women’s keirin. In her first World Cup event in three years, Ward also collected a competition personal best 11.022seconds in the flying 200m and eighth in the women’s sprint. The UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong was the sixth and final for the 2018/19 season. The 2019 UCI Track World Championships will be held in Poland from February 27. 
Photos Guy Swarbrick
Day 3 Recap - UCI Track World Cup 6 - Hong Kong
The penultimate day of the final World Cup of the season saw Australian Cycling Team's Cameron Meyer claim an emphatic omnium gold, while Podium Potential Academy member Caitlin Ward netted her best World Cup performance in the women's sprint. Meyer, 31, began his campaign with seventh in the opening scratch race, before a commanding display in the tempo race saw him took maximum points after winning the event. A calculated fourth in a crash-marred elimination race, which was neutralised mid-way through the race after a crash brought down a handful of riders, left Meyer perfectly poised in second place behind New Zealand's Campbell Stewart (104pts) heading into the final event, the points race. In his pet event, a classical Meyer performance saw him claim two sprint wins and a lap on the field within the first thirty laps of the 100-lap race, and with them, the race ascendancy. From there, Meyer was able to control the race and any attacks on his lead, sealing gold on 134 points ahead of France's Benjamin Thomas (120pts) and Stewart (116pts). "A little bit shocked and surprised, but I knew I had good condition coming off the road racing in Australia with the Tour Down Under, but I didn't know what to expect in my first omnium at a World Cup," said the nine-time world champion in the points race, team pursuit and Madison. "I was pretty nervous for some of the events, but when I knew I was up there for the points race which is my speciality, I was a chance of a getting a result and coming away with a gold medal. "My goals were to find out what the omnium was about really. It is an Olympic event, something that I can target, so I wanted to see where the level was at, where my level compared to the other competitors." Meyer will now return to the Australian Cycling Team's Adelaide headquarters for final preparations for Februarys World Championships in Poland. "Now it is a full focus towards Worlds and I am really looking forward to it. It is always exciting to be back on the track, I have good condition and am looking forward to the World Championships." 
Photos Guy Swarbrick
In the women's sprint, Caitlin Ward netted her best World Cup performance finishing eighth.
In her first race at the World Cup level since 2016 after suffering a broken foot and chronic back injuries, Ward opened her account with a competition personal best 11.022seconds in the flying 200m, the eighth fastest on the day. Ward then took care of Amelia Walsh (CAN) and Jessica Lee (HKG) to move to the quarterfinals where her campaign ended at the hands of hometown hero and Olympic medalist Wai Sze Lee (HKG). "It was unfortunate to get eighth and come across the top qualifier, but racing Lee is an experience and a half. You're not going to learn unless you race the best, and she is up there," said Ward, 24. "I am thrilled with how I performed. It is my best performance ever. I haven't done close to that time for a long time, I have had injuries coming out of my ears. A member of the Podium Potential Academy, Ward recognised coach Lynne Munro and the support from the new Cycling Australia program. "(I am) over the moon with how the Academy has come through, getting to work with Lynne. I think we make a really good team, the people involved are great, I have a great team around me."
Holly Takos clocked 11.582seconds in qualifying but did not progress through to sprint rounds.
Twenty-four hours after claiming team sprint gold while on his World Cup debut, Matthew Richardson, 19 was back at it on Saturday in the men's keirin, with the Podium Potential Academy sprinter finished seventh overall after winning the 7-12 final. After winning team pursuit bronze on the opening night of competition Godfrey Slattery, 19, went solo on Saturday, finishing thirteenth in the scratch race. In the women's Madison, Maeve Plouffe and Alexandra Martin-Wallace took on the might of the world's best in their World Cup debut. A frenetic pace was set early by 2018 world championship silver medallists the Netherlands and 2017 world champions Belgium, with the two teams unrelenting over the 80-lap race. The UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong is the sixth and final for the 2018/19 season. Racing concludes on Sunday. Results www.tissottiming.com 
Photo Guy Swarbrick
The Australian Cycling Team’s rising stars stole the show on Friday night at the UCI Track World Cup with Podium Potential Academy riders James Brister, Matthew Richardson and Thomas Clarke storming to team sprint gold, while Jarrad Drizners, Godfrey Slattery, Conor Leahy, and Luke Plapp clinched team pursuit bronze.
TEAM SPRINT Teenagers James Brister, 19, and Matthew Richardson, 19, bolted from the gates on their World Cup debut, teaming with Thomas Clarke, 23, to win gold in the men’s team sprint. The Podium Potential Academy trio posted the fastest qualifying ride (44.343) in Friday's afternoon’s qualifying round before progressing to the final with a first round win (43.774) over Belarus. In the final, Richardson got the team off to a hot start, with Clarke and Brister bringing it home in 43.815 seconds to record a resounding win over Japan (44.148) to claim the gold. “I have been really excited for weeks to ride this event with these boys, we targeted this event and trained really hard,” said Clarke, who won silver with Jacob Schmid and Nathan Hart last weekend at the penultimate round of the World Cup in Cambridge. “It was only the second time we have ridden together, and with a new order, and it paid off with this great result,” said Richardson. “First World Cup, first medal, first gold medal, it is pretty exciting, I wasn’t expecting this at all, can't thank my teammates, coach and staff enough,” said Brister, who recognised the Academy for his result. “The support we are getting phenomenal now, I wouldn’t be here now without the support of Cycling Australia setting up the Academy.” 
Photo Guy Swarbrick
TEAM PURSUIT
In the team pursuit, the teenage quartet of Jarrad Drizners, 19, Godfrey Slattery, 18 Conor Leahy, 19, and Luke Plapp, 18, won bronze in just their second World Cup event. The team posted the eighth fastest time (4:01.562) in Thursday evening’s qualifying round to just make it through to Friday’s first round. There, world record holder Sam Welsford, 23, subbed in for Slattery with the quartet scorching the Hong Kong Velodrome with a stunning ride of 3mins 53.889secs, the fastest time ever ridden by the teenage trio. “It is crazy to ride a three-fifty three, particularly in these cool conditions,” said Welsford. “I only came in to ride the first round to give a little direction in the middle, to set the pace. But hats off to the boys, they were holding the pace as good as, if not better than me.” In the bronze medal final, Drizners, Slattery, Leahy and Plapp (3:57.423) proved too good for France (3:58.738) to take their first podium at a World Cup level. The women’s endurance quartet of Maeve Plouffe, 19, Alexandra Manly, 22, and World Cup debutants Alexandra Martin-Wallace and Sophie Edwards, both 18, finished fifth overall. The quartet posted squad-best time of 4mins 25.554secs in Thursday’s qualifying, with the team overcoming a late minute change which waw Sophie Edwards come in for Sam De Riter just minutes before the race after De Riter fell ill. In Friday’s first round against fastest qualifiers Italy, the Aussie quartet bettered their time by more than a second (4:24.250). However, the time was less than a second shy of France’s fourth-best time, therefore missing a place in the bronze medal final. “Yesterday was a really good day, pretty stoked to post the fourth best time and a personal best,” said Martin-Wallace. “We have been working so hard on it at training, getting better and better, so it was nice to deliver here. “Even though we didn’t make it into the finals, we went even faster so I am really happy. “The experience has been awesome, I have been trying to learn as much as I can, and having so much fun, to be in this environment, it is great.” In the women’s team sprint, Caitlin Ward and Holly Takos clocked 35.060seconds in the women’s event which placed them sixteenth overall. The UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong is the sixth and final for the 2018/19 season. Racing continues on Saturday and Sunday. 
The Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy riders are eager ahead of their first taste of elite international cycling at the final round of the UCI Track World Cup season in Hong Kong.
Launched by Cycling Australia in November 2018, the Academy is focussed on long term athlete development with the current cohort aiming for success at the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond, in both sprint and endurance disciplines. Based at Adelaide’s Australian Cycling Team headquarters, the program is working to bridge the gap between the country’s regional high-performance network and the podium program. Academy riders form the majority of the sixteen-rider team including the men’s endurance team features Jarrad Drizners, Godfrey Slattery, Conor Leahy and Luke Plapp. Alexandra Martin-Wallace, Sophie Edwards, Sam De Riter and Maeve Plouffe comprise the women's quartet. The sprint selections for round six Hong Kong include debutants James Brister and Matthew Richardson, in addition to Thomas Clarke and Caitlin Ward who will both return to the World Cup level for the first time in more than two seasons.
Australian Cycling Team Podium members Holly Takos, Cameron Meyer, Samuel Welsford and Alexandra Manly will also contest the final round.
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Video - PPA chat ahead of Hong Kong Nathan Hart wins sprint gold - Photo Guy Swarbrick Gold to Nathan Hart and Annette Edmondson headlined the Australia Cycling Team’s campaign at the penultimate round of the UCI Tissot Track World Cup season in New Zealand at the weekend. A stalwart as first-wheel in Australia's team sprint outfit for the best part of the decade, Nathan Hartcelebrated alone atop the podium with a memorable sprint victory. Qualifying second fastest, Hart moved through the rounds with wins over Poland’s Maciej Bielecki, Japan’s Tomohiro Fukaya and France’s Sebastien Vigier. In the final, Hart was too good for Poland’s Mateusz Rudyk, taking his first Tissot Track World Cup individual gold in straight heats. “It feels great to have raced to my first World Cup gold medal, it has been a while since my last win, so it's that little bit sweeter,” said Canberra’s Hart, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative in the team format. “My Mum and Dad made the trip over to Cambridge and were watching from the stands, so it was special for them to be there to watch, after all the support they have provided over the many years. “To also win the Silver in the Team Sprint with Jacob and Tom, it has been a successful World Cup round.” On day one, Hart teamed with Jacob Schmid and Thomas Clarke to win silver in the team sprint, Australia’s first medal of the round. The trio qualified third fastest (43.853) before defeating Japan in the first round in a time of 43.263secs which sent them into the gold medal final against three-time world champion New Zealand. There, the home team was too strong (43.121) for the Aussie trio (43.734). “This is really special as it is my first World Cup medal, and to make it even better being able to share it with Nathan and Jacob made it really a night I won't forget for a while,” said Podium Potential Academy member Clarke who was a late replacement for Pat Constable who was unable to race due to injuries sustained at the Track Down Under in Adelaide on January 11. “I felt for Pat missing out due to injury. It is not how you want to be selected for any team. I knew that stepping in for Pat was always going to be a difficult job as they have been smashing training back home and as a team have created some great chemistry in executing their team sprints.”  Nettie Edmondson wins omnium gold - Photo Guy Swarbrick 2015 world champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Annette Edmondson returned to the top step of the omnium podium with a controlled victory in the women’s event. Edmondson opened her account in the four-race omnium with a win in the scratch race, before taking fourth in the tempo. Victory in the elimination race provided an eight-point lead heading into the final event, the points race. A controlled race from Edmondson saw her maintain her advantage over Canada’s Allison Beveridge (123pts) and Japan’s Yumi Kajihara (113pts) to take the win on 131 points. “[I’m] Delighted to get the win here, we came here to get some experience because this would only be my third omnium in the new format,” said Edmondson, who took her world title and Olympic medal in the now-defunct six-race format. “Happy to tick some boxes, test out some new plans. “The race might have been missing some of the bigger names in omnium, but the great opportunity of racing, to practice race strategies was not lost. Also, to learn to ride the final points race in the lead, that experience is hard to get at that level, so it was great to have this opportunity. “It was a nice battle at the end there, but I did feel in control and happy to take the win.” Kaarle McCulloch claimed her first individual sprint medal at a World Cup level when she claimed bronze in the women’s event. On the eve of her thirty-first birthday, McCulloch surged to a personal best time of 10.677secs in sprint qualifying, second fastest and just three-hundredths behind Hong Kong’s Wai Sze Lee. McCulloch defeated Ukraine’s Liubov Basova and the USA’s Madalyn Godby to move to the semi-finals where her run was ended by Olena Starikova (UKR). In the bronze medal final, McCulloch came back from 0-1 down against hometown hero Natasha Hansen to win the bronze. “Very very happy, to win my first ever individual sprint medal at a World Cup,” said McCulloch, who celebrated her birthday with fifth in the keirin. “I was thrilled when I got into the semis, a little disappointed how I rode it, but happy with how I bounced back in the bronze ride off to beat Natasha on her home turf.” A host of Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy riders got their first taste of international cycling when they made their World Cup debut. The all-teenage quartet of Jarrad Drizners, Godfrey Slattery, Conor Leahy and Luke Plapp qualified seventh fastest (4:02.293) in the team pursuit, before defeating Russia with a time of 3mins 56.379secs in the first round. However, the quartet just missed the medal rounds by three-tenths of a second and finished fifth overall. In other events, Drizners took a gallant fourth in the scratch race, Slattery was twelfth in the omnium, while Plapp and Drizners finished tenth in the Madison. The Academy riders now form the majority of the Australian sixteen-rider team that will line up in the final World Cup round in Hong Kong this weekend. 
Siblings Saya and Kai Sakakibara celebrated victory at the 2019 Oceania BMX Championships in Te Awamutu, New Zealand.
"I hadn't raced for three months or so, I was a bit shaky at the start, so it was nice to bring it all together in the final," said Saya who took the lead on the first turn and held it to the finish line. "Last year I missed out on the Oceania Championships because I was away overseas competing, so compete against my all time idol [Sarah Walker] and all the other amazing competitors from Australia and New Zealand it was the icing on the cake to take the win today. In a closely fought men's final, Sakakibara chased down Brandon Te Hiko (Australia) in the closing metres to take the title. "I’m very happy to begin the year with a win at the Oceanias," said Kai. "I didn’t have huge expectations as the event fell right in the middle of my off season training block, so it was great to still come away with a solid win." The pair will now head back to their training base on the Gold Coast as they begin preparations for the World Cup season which begins in April. Results | Event Website
PHOTOS Cycling Australia has confirmed selections for the final two rounds of the UCI Track World Cup season to be held in New Zealand and Hong Kong respectively, with a host of the Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy riders set for their first taste of international cycling.
Launched by Cycling Australia in November 2018, the Academy is focussed on long term athlete development with the current cohort aiming for success at the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond, in both sprint and endurance disciplines. Based at Adelaide’s Australian Cycling Team headquarters, the program is working to bridge the gap between the country’s regional high-performance network and the podium program. Academy riders will form the majority of the ten-rider team for Round 5 in Cambridge, New Zealand, and, in what is one of the biggest Australian teams ever selected for a World Cup, the sixteen-rider team that will line up in Hong Kong’s final round. “These World Cups will provide our Academy riders with valuable exposure to a world-class, high-performance event environment,” said Cycling Australia Head of Performance Pathways and People, Jonathan Norfolk. ”While the podium athletes are there to perform, for the Academy riders it is about learning to win and maximising the opportunity to refine their performance processes and to develop the habits and behaviours to prepare the foundation for long term success.” The men’s endurance team of Jarrad Drizners, Godfrey Slattery, Conor Leahy and Luke Plapp is eager to make their World Cup debut. “I am pretty excited to hit the world stage with the team at the World Cup,” said Leahy, who will contest both rounds with the team. “It is going to be a huge step up for me and everyone in the Academy, and I am looking forward to soaking up the environment with the team.” The women’s endurance quartet of Alexandra Martin-Wallace, Sophie Edwards, Sam De Riter and Maeve Plouffe, who made her World Cup debut last October, will contest round six in Hong Kong. “I really just want to make the most of it, gain as much from the experience, we will be looking for a really good time in the team pursuit as it is the most important for us,” said Martin-Wallace. “I love the bunch races, and I will be hoping to see where I am at when up against a World Cup field.” The sprint selections for round six Hong Kong include debutants James Brister and Matthew Richardson, in addition to Thomas Clarke and Caitlin Ward who will both return to the World Cup level for the first time in more than two seasons. “Pretty excited to get over there, gain from the experience, and race really well,” said Richardson. “I expect the competition will be really tough, but we need to be prepared to compete at levels like this if we want to take the next step. I will be looking to see how I cope with the pressure, to see if I handle it well, and to learn from this experience so I am ready for the next event.” Australian Cycling Team Podium members Annette Edmondson, Kaarle McCulloch, Nathan Hart, Jacob Schmid and Holly Takos will contest the fifth round in Cambridge. Cameron Meyer, Samuel Welsford and Alexandra Manly will head to Hong Kong’s final round. Australia’s leading sprinters in Stephanie Morton, who collected eight medals including four gold, and reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer who won three gold and a silver in the sprint across the first four rounds, will remain in Australia to focus on preparations for February’s World Championships. Australian Cycling Team - UCI Track World Cup Round 5 & 6 Round 5 - Cambridge - New Zealand Sprint
FOLLOW Website | Twitter | Facebook | Results Round 6 - Hong Kong Sprint
Website  Cycling Australia is excited to be partnering with wheel manufacturer Zipp as our official supplier through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Zipp will provide front and rear disc wheels for the Argon 18 frames to the Australian Cycling Team as it strives for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games. “Working with a wheel and bike manufacturer is vitally important to our performance gains leading into the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” said Simon Jones, Cycling Australia performance director. “Both Zipp and Argon 18 have a strong performance culture and capability and we are looking forward to what we can achieve together.” The partnership is in line with Zipp’s commitment to aligning with cycling’s most innovative athletes and programs, not only to achieve victories and win championships but to reach new levels of speed and performance. “We’re honoured to be partnering with a true giant of bicycle racing, Cycling Australia, and an innovator like Argon 18,” Zipp Road Sports Marketing Director Jason Phillips said. “The Super-9 is Zipp’s fastest wheel, and Australia is home to many of the world’s fastest track cyclists. “Track racing — especially the team pursuit — represents the pinnacle of speed, efficiency, and teamwork on a bike.” About Cycling Australia’s Track Program Track cycling has a long history of bringing success to Australia with more medals being won on the track than any other discipline in cycling, particularly at the international level, including numerous Olympic Games medals. With the Australian Cycling Team’s main event focus being the Olympic Games, track cycling presents the best opportunity for gold medals with 12 Olympic medal events available; six in sprint events and six in endurance events. Cycling Australia’s Track program consists of 22 male and female athletes (7 Sprint and 15 Endurance), forming the core track group from which CA will launch its Tokyo 2020 track attack. About Zipp Speed Weaponry Zipp Speed Weaponry was founded in 1988 with the sole mission of making you faster. Our focus is to produce the highest performing, most durable wheels and components. For more than three decades, Zipp has done exactly that, by drawing on its core competencies of design engineering, composites knowledge, computer simulation, and wind tunnel development. It is these competencies that have allowed Zipp to deliver a series of firsts in the cycling industry. From the first carbon disc wheel to the first carbon crank to the first carbon wheel to win Paris-Roubaix.  Cycling Australia is pleased to announce a 17-rider team for the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships to be held in the Netherlands from 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. The selections feature a host of reigning and former world champions including David Nicholas (QLD), Amanda Reid (NSW), Simone Kennedy (NSW), Alistair Donohoe (VIC) and Kyle Bridgwood (QLD),plus the Tandem pairing of Jessica Gallagher (VIC) and Pilot Madison Janssen (VIC). 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. “The world record, it’s a lovely sort of thing that I'll be proud of when I look back on my career, but at this moment for me it’s just about trying to be better than what I’ve been before, to try to make sure that there’s no one better than me on that day,” said Petricola, who unofficially bettered her existing world mark on the way to the National crown last December. 2018 World Championship silver medalist in the scratch race Darren Hicks (SA) will look to continue his strong form with a focus towards the timed events. “It’s just exciting to go into 2019 with a lot ahead rather than just the time trial so I’m excited,” said Hicks, who went within two seconds of the 3-kilometre individual pursuit world record (set at altitude) at December’s Nationals. “The individual pursuit has never really been a focus, but I’d like to run a three 41 or a 42 just to reassure myself that it’s something I can do every time we get to any track in the world.” Newcomer Paige Greco (SA), who shone at December’s Track Nationals in Melbourne, will make her national team debut, as will Michael Shippley (QLD) and Daniel Van der Laan (NSW). “It’s (Australian team selection) has been a goal since I moved to Adelaide, so I am thrilled and excited,” said Greco, who announced herself on the para-cycling scene with dual national records and gold at the 2018 Track Nationals. “My goal at worlds is a PB (personal best time), but I’ve got some things I need to work on. “I’m also really looking forward to the team environment as it will be excellent to get some advice from the more experienced riders and see how they handle the pressure.” In the men's Tandem events Brad Henderson (SA) is confirmed, with his Pilot to be named at a later date. The Australian Cycling Team will head to Brisbane in late January for a team training camp and UCI Category 2 event before heading to the Netherlands in late March. The Team celebrated ten medals at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio, the fourth most by any nation behind Great Britain, Netherlands and China. ATHLETE (STATE) CLASSIFICATION
Photo © Guy Swarbrick
The Australian Cycling Team has won two gold and two silver medals at the fourth round of the UCI Track World Cup in London at the weekend, with the four-rider team finishing third on the medal tally.
Stephanie Morton surged to dual gold in the sprint and keirin, reigning world champions Matthew Glaetzer grabbed sprint silver, while Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson won the Madison silver. Steph sizzles Stephanie Morton’s career-best form has continued with the Adelaide cyclist winning gold in the sprint and keirin at the fourth round of the UCI Track World Cup in London at the weekend. Morton topped sprint qualifying (10.595) for the fourth straight World Cup before taking care of Urszula Los (POL), Katy Marchant (GBR) and Olena Starikova (UKR). In the final, Morton defeated Laurine van Riessen (NED) in straight rounds. “I am delighted to finish my World Cup season with another win in the sprint,” said Morton. “The women's sprint depth is great at the moment; the racing has really stepped up.” In superb signs for the 28-year-old, Morton fired to win keirin gold on the final day of competition and also during a planned high workload training phase designed to support racing and skill execution. It capped a long season for the Adelaide cyclist which began at the Oceania Championships in October and has taken in five countries. The 2018/19 World Cup season netted her eight medals from four rounds including four gold and is littered with highlights including gold and an Australian Record with Kaarle McCulloch in round two’s team sprint after the duo was edged by just 0.001second in the first round. Morton topped the sprint qualification in every World Cup, taking silver and bronze in the first two rounds before storming to her first individual World Cup gold medals in rounds three and four. After personal bests in the flying 200m at both rounds, Morton also clocked her first career sub-10.5 second ride in the flying 200m (10.484seconds). “It has been a huge couple of months of racing, so it is nice to finish on a high,” said Morton. “First keirin gold for me at a World Cup - so that's really special. “It has been a really successful season and I will definitely soak it up and use that as motivation. I’m now looking forward to getting in some more good training back in Adelaide and getting ready for that final push into the World Championships. “But, for now, I think I've earned myself an extra slice of pavlova at Christmas!”
Photo © Guy Swarbrick
Glaetzer grabs sprint silver
Reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer’s unbeaten run in the sprint this World Cup season came to an end with a gallant silver medal at the fourth round of the UCI Track World Cup in London. Third fastest in qualifying (9.708), Glaetzer accounted for Melvin Landerneau (FRA) and Jair Tjon En Fa (SUR), before being pushed to three in his semi final match up with dual world champion Jeffrey Hoogland (NED). In a repeat of the sprint finals from the first and second rounds of the World Cup, Glaetzer faced Harrie Lavreysen (NED) and it would be third time’s a charm for the Dutch cyclist as he dived for the inside line in the second heat and rode to victory. “Today's sprint competition was the toughest I have ever done,” said Glaetzer, who is racing through a high workload training phase designed to support racing and skill execution. “After going to three with Jeffrey, I have never been that broken, drained and in pain. I was happy to make the gold ride off but knew I didn't have much left. “I gave it everything I had against Harrie, I pushed the limits tactically and got caught out in the last race, but he had the legs on me so silver it is.” The race capped a superb World Cup season for Glaetzer which included three sprint gold and one silver. The Australian also clocked a 9.502sec flying 200 in the opening round, just shy of his 9.459sec personal best set five years ago (at altitude). “My World Cup season in the sprint was something special, to have three gold and a silver is awesome,” said the Adelaide cyclist. “The keirin for me was a bit hit and miss with making one final in three races, but overall I am really content with my season. “Now it's time for a break from travel, racing, freezing weather and time get stuck into the Aussie summer!” 
Photo © Guy Swarbrick
Cure & Edmondson win Madison silver
In just their second race as a pairing, Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson delivered Madison silver for Australia at the fourth round of the UCI Track World Cup in London. In a final marred by a crash which forced both Russia and the United States to withdraw, the British pairing of Kenny and Archibald exerted early control. The Aussies lead a stunning challenge to take the race lead after four of ten sprints; however, the hometown heroes pounced in a searing final double-points sprint to take gold on 34 points. Edmondson and Cure finished in second on 19 points, with Belgians Jolien D’Hoore and Lotte Kopecky taking bronze. “We are extremely excited about winning silver,” said Edmondson, who teamed with Cure to win the 2017 Oceania Madison crown. “I have only raced a handful of Madisons, and as this was my first major international race, I was very nervous going in. “To end up on the podium was really exciting. Yes, there are a few things we could do differently, but overall we are happy to get Australia back in the mix.” Tasmania’s Cure, the 2017 World Championship Madison bronze medalist, was excited to be back on track in the event. “I am thrilled to come home with the silver as I have been looking forward to the Madison, I always love racing it,” said Cure. “We made a few little tactical errors out there that hurt us, but I was proud of Nettie as this was her first international Madison above the Oceania level, so it was terrific for her to step up as she did.”  A host of Australian Cycling Team and Podium Potential Academy members. Photo © Con Chronis 2019 Omnium, Madison, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit National Championships
The Australian Cycling Team and Podium Potential Academy members will headline the start lists when four National Championships are decided this weekend in Melbourne. With Tokyo 2020 less than 600 days away, Olympic events will take centre stage in Melbourne beginning with the Omnium Championships at DISC Velodrome on Friday 14, with the Madison, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit to feature in an action-packed night of racing at Melbourne Arena on Saturday 15 December. SCHEDULE
EVENT GUIDES Omnium / Team Pursuit / Madison Australia’s team pursuit world record holders Samuel Welsford (WA), Alexander Porter (SA), plus Leigh Howard and Kelland O’Brien (VIC) will swap their green and gold Australian jerseys as they chase national glory in their respective state team colours. The quartet will split for the team pursuit event, with Howard and O’Brien to lead defending champions Victoria against strong outfits from South Australia and Western Australia. In the women’s event, it will a close battle between NSW, Queensland and South Australia. In the Madison, defending champion Porter will team with fellow South Australian Josh Harrison, dual world champion Howard will form an all-Victorian pairing with O’Brien, and 2017 champion Welsford will line up with Cameron Scott (NSW). “The Madison will be fast, the night is incredible and the racing is always full gas. There are plenty of good combinations of teams, Porter and Harrison, and especially the locals in Kell (O’Brien) and Leigh (Howard) will be one of the teams to beat,” said Welsford, who will contest the Madison, omnium and team pursuit across the weekend. Welsford will be a favourite in Friday’s Omnium following his World Cup gold in Germany two weeks ago. “The team pursuit and omnium have been a big focus of mine over the last few years now, and after winning omnium gold in Berlin last week, I am keen to bring back what I learned at the World Cup and take it into Nationals.” Exciting Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy pairings aiming to upset their more fancied opponents include Conor Leahy (WA) and Godfrey Slattery (VIC), plus dual junior world champion Luke Plapp (VIC) who will pair with Jarrad Drizners (SA). In the women’s Madison, defending champions Macey Stewart (TAS) and Kristina Clonan (QLD) will take to opposite teams in 2018 when they pair with Academy members Josie Talbot (NSW) and Alex Martin-Wallace (QLD) respectively. Fellow Academy members Maeve Plouffe (SA) and Sam De Riter (VIC) will team up. “It has been a tough few months, I have been training harder than ever before, have moved to Adelaide, so I am excited to see how I go this weekend after putting in so much hard work,” said Stewart, who joined the Australian Cycling Team in 2018. “Madison is my favourite event, one I am targetting over the next few years, and as defending champion I would like to back it up in 2019. “I have a new partner for the Madison in Josie Talbot, Kristina and I are split for these Nationals, which I think will be a strong team and I am excited to see what we can do.” Stewart and Clonan, plus Alexandra Manly (SA), will be three to watch in the women’s omnium. Team Sprint The Team Sprint National Championships will be decided on Saturday night, with three-time world champion Kaarle McCulloch (NSW) and Holly Takos (SA) headlining the women’s field. In the men’s, 2018 Commonwealth Games medallist Patrick Constable (SA), Nathan Hart (ACT) and Jacob Schmid (VIC) will headline their respective state teams. Academy riders in action include Caitlin Ward (SA), James Brister (SA), Tom Clarke (SA), Tom Cornish (NSW) and Matt Richardson (WA). Other events Victoria’s prestigious 121st Austral Wheelrace (for both juniors and seniors) will also showcase the Australian Cycling Team during the evening. TEAMS/RIDERS
WATCH LIVE GET TRACKSIDE Tickets are still available online or at the door. MORE INFO tracknationals.org.au  Nicholas winning the 2018 World Title - Photo © Casey Gibson Australia’s 2019 summer of track cycling begins this week at DISC Velodrome in Melbourne with the two-day 2019 Para-cycling National Championships. Australian Cycling Team members will be in action including reigning Paralympic and world champion David Nicholas (QLD) and dual World Championship medallist Emily Petricola (VIC). Nicholas delivered yet again in 2018 as he surged to defend his C3 individual pursuit world title in March, while also collecting a podium during the Road World Cup series and four National crowns on the road and track. “It has been a great season, I kept it pretty low key after Track Worlds as I came down with bug away that put me out of action for a while anyway, but it was good to be able to build up to Road Worlds. Nicholas will be aiming for his eighth consecutive pursuit crown and sixth straight win in the time trial, with the Queenslander’s sights also firmly set on March’s World Championships. “My goals are obviously to defend my two nationals titles, but also to set a time in the kilo and pursuit to see where I am at in my preparations for the World Championships.”  Petricola in action during the 2018 World Title - Photo © Casey Gibson Petricola will be looking to defend her C4 national pursuit crown, an event in which she shocked the para-cycling world in 2018 after breaking the world record in qualifying at the World Championships in March.
“When I look back at 2018 I'm pretty shocked at what a huge year it has been, in particular thinking back to the world champs and the results there, it all seems a bit surreal,” said Petricola, who claimed World Championship silver in both the pursuit and time trial. While only having begun cycling a couple of years ago, Petricola was quickly selected to the Australian Cycling Team and has committed to the program by moving back to Melbourne after three years working in the United Arab Emirates. “I have gone from training on my own all the time in the middle of the desert on a trainer most of the time, to be a part of the bigger machine of Cycling Australia and more locally, the VIS,” added Petricola, who will race both the time trial and pursuit this week on her home track at DISC before tackling FedUni RoadNats in January. “ "With so much change, I've certainly had to be a bit more resilient and persevere as I reestablish my life in Australia. But now that things are settling down a bit, I'm starting to find my rhythm and looking forward to getting some positive results over the coming months.” Former world champions Alistair Donohoe (VIC), Kyle Bridgwood (QLD), Amanda Reid (NSW), Simone Kennedy (NSW), plus Jessica Gallagher (VIC) who will be piloted by Madison Janssen (VIC) in the Tandem events, will be in action. The Para-cycling National Championships will be held in conjunction with the 2019 Omnium Championships. #ParaTrackNats Quick Guide
 "With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games less than 600 days away, Cycling Australia (CA) continues its Australian Cycling Team program support for Track, Para-cycling, BMX and Road athletes. The Podium, Podium Ready and Podium Potential programs encompass 60 athletes (male and female) within the following disciplines: 20 Track, 12 Road, 6 BMX (Supercross and Freestyle), 22 Para-cycling. “Our ‘What will it take to win’ performance plan creates a clear athlete pathway that is designed to maximise Australia's chances of Podium performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and at World Championships and Commonwealth Games ” said Simon Jones, Cycling Australia’s Performance Director and key driver of the Australian Cycling Team strategy. Over the past twelve months, Australia celebrated half a dozen world titles and dozens of medals in Olympic and Paralympic events across the Track, Road, BMX and Para-cycling (Road and Track) disciplines. In 2018, new athletes were welcomed into the program including dual para road world champion Emilie Miller, road world championship representatives Lucy Kennedy and Jack Haig, plus track athletes Macey Stewart and Kristina Clonan. Road cyclists Luke Durbridge, Callum Scotson and Rachel Neylan exited the program. “The Australian Cycling Team’s athlete classification system is demonstrating its robustness in identifying and supporting the right blend of athletes with the skill, experience, capability and potential to be the world’s best,” Jones added. “We have also committed significant resources to the athlete pathway, which is vital to our future success. “In November we saw that commitment come to life with the commencement of the Podium Potential Track Academy which features 13 Endurance and Sprint athletes who have begun training in close proximity to the Australian Cycling Team in Adelaide. “The Academy will provide these young riders with both a cycling and personal development experience that’s targeting the 2024 Olympic cycle.   Photo © Guy Swarbrick The Australian Cycling Team grabbed four gold and two silver medals at the third round of the UCI Track World Cup in Berlin, Germany at the weekend.
World record holders Samuel Welsford, Alexander Porter, Leigh Howard and Kelland O'Brien, plus Cameron Scott claimed team pursuit gold, reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer continued his unbeaten run in the sprint, Stephanie Morton claimed her first individual gold of the season, while Sam Welsford took omnium gold. It continues the team’s strong start to the six-event World Cup series which began in October. The team topped the medal tally in Paris with eight medals including three gold, three silver and two bronze before adding four medals, including two gold at round two in Canada. "This World Cup was another good benchmark for the Australian Cycling Team and shows we are progressing well and currently on track," said Simon Jones, Performance Director, Cycling Australia. "There is still a lot of work to do, but it’s good to score UCI points and be competing well." Recap World record holders Samuel Welsford, Alexander Porter, Leigh Howard and Kelland O'Brien, lined up in the team pursuit for the first time since April’s Commonwealth Games where they stunned the world with the first sub three minute-fifty second ride in the event’s history. In Berlin, the quartet topped qualifying (3:53.426), and with Cameron Scott coming into the team for the first round and progressed to the final with a strong win (3:53.033) over rivals and Olympic champions Great Britain. With Howard returning for Scott for the final, the world’s fastest team held off a challenge from a strong Danish outfit (3:54.703) to take the gold in a superb time of 3 minutes 51.210 seconds. “It was great to line up again with the boys,” said Welsford. “We gel so well and to come back together and post a good time is a good sign we are on the right path.” It was a successful weekend for Welsford who claimed dual gold in Germany with a come-from-behind victory in the final race of the four-race omnium. “The omnium was a bit of a surprise; I haven't raced one at the world level since the World Championships in 2017, so to come away with the win was surreal. It came down to the last points race and luckily enough, I had good legs to take it out.” In the women’s team pursuit, Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson rejoined the squad for the first time since April’s Commonwealth Games, and with Ashlee Ankudinoff and Georgia Baker, won silver. Fastest qualifiers (4:19.073), the quartet moved to the final (4:18.083) by defeating Canada in the first round. In a heartbreaking final, the Australian quartet led for the first fifteen of sixteen laps, before the Great Britain outfit (4:16.153) caught their traditional rivals (4:16.413) inside the last half lap to take the gold. Stephanie Morton topped sprint qualifying with her first career sub 10.5 second ride in the flying 200m (10.484seconds) before riding away to her first individual gold at World Cup level. After knocking out Katy Marchant (GBR) and Daria Shmeleva (RUS), Morton took gold in two straight rides over Anastasiia Voinova (RUS) in the final to complete an undefeated campaign. “After a few silvers, to finally turn it around and get my first sprint win at a World Cup, it is unreal,” said Morton, who collected five medals from six events across the first two rounds of the 2018/19 season in October. “With Matt and me in a heavy training block at the moment, I went into the day relaxed with no pressure on myself and was prepared for a big "shut up legs" kind of day. “So when I looked up and saw the time of 10.4, I was speechless, and anyone who knows me knows that is very rare! “I knew backing up was going to be tough with training in the legs so I took it one race at a time, focusing on the skill or tactic that Ross (Edgar) and I wanted to work on, knowing that crossing the line first would be the bonus.” Reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer’s unbeaten run in the sprint this World Cup season remains intact with his third gold medal. Third fastest in qualifying (9.659secs), Glaetzer moved through to the quarterfinals with ease where he defeated Denis Dmitriev (RUS), before knocking Rayan Helal (FRA) out in the semi-finals. Glaetzer’s World Cup sprint reign continued as he took gold in two straight rides over Matthijs Buchli (NED) who had edged the Australian for keirin gold the previous night. “Today was one of the hardest sprint competitions I have done,” said Glaetzer, who revealed he is in the middle of a training block. “The semi-final went to the best of three after I didn't execute my race plan properly, but I fixed it for the decider which took a lot out of me. It was at this point that I was wrecked and joked to Ross Edgar that I would try and keep up with Buchli in the final and not get dropped! “We had our first race for gold, and when I was able to roll him up the front straight, it showed I still had just enough legs left to get the job done, so I made sure I didn't go to the best of three again!” In other results, young guns Kelland O’Brien and Cameron Scott claimed fifth in the Madison, while Annette Edmondson was fourth in the omnium, and Ashlee Ankudinoff and Amy Cure finished sixth in the women’s Madison. Morton and Glaetzer will now move on to the UCI Track World Cup's fourth round to be held in London from December 14. All other members of the Australian Cycling Team will be back in action on home soil at the 2019 Cycling Australia Track National Championships which begin in Melbourne on Thursday 13 December at DISC Velodrome with the Para-cycling Nationals. The Omnium Nationals cap the week on Friday 14 December, with Melbourne Arena to host a massive night of racing on Saturday 15 December headlined by the Madison, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit Nationals. >>> tracknationals.org.au  Photo - Pété Photographie (@payette) The Australian Cycling Team will continue the UCI Track World Cup season at the third round in Berlin, Germany to be held November 30 - December 2.
ROUND 1 & 2 RECAP In October’s opening round in Paris, the team topped the medal tally with eight medals including three gold, three silver and two bronze. In round two in Canada, the team won four medals including two gold. Stephanie Morton collected five medals from six events across the two weekends, highlighted by two personal bests in the flying 200m and a new Australian Record with Kaarle McCulloch in the team sprint. Resplendent in his rainbow jersey, world champion Matthew Glaetzer won both sprint gold medals on offer. Ash Ankudinoff lead a new look team pursuit quartet of Georgia Baker, and team newcomers Macey Stewart and Kristina Clonan to gold (4mins 16.957secs). Baker with Macey Stewart also took bronze in the women's Madison. Ashlee Ankudinoff claimed two gold in round one with victory in the scratch race, while Leigh Howard took bronze in the men's final. Howard and O'Brien won Madison bronze in round one. WHO IS RACING ROUND 3? Stephanie Morton and Matthew Glaetzer will line up in the sprint and keirin. Ash Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker will be joined by Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson in the team pursuit. Ankudinoff and Cure will contest the Madison, while Baker will also race the Omnium. World record holders Sam Welsford, Alex Porter, Leigh Howard and Kelland O'Brien, will line up in the team pursuit for the first time since April’s Commonwealth Games where they clocked the first sub three minute-fifty second ride. O'Brien, who won Madison bronze in round one with Howard, will partner with Cameron Scott in the exciting pairs event, while Welsford will line up in the omnium. FOLLOW WHAT'S NEXT The Cycling Australia Track National Championships begin on Thursday 13 December at DISC Velodrome with the two-day Para-cycling Nationals, with the Omnium Nationals to cap the week off on Friday 14 December. On Saturday 15 December at Melbourne Arena with a massive night of racing to be headlined by the Madison, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit Nationals. >>> tracknationals.org.au  Sydney’s Brandon Loupos capped a superb 2018 season by winning bronze in the BMX Freestyle Park final at the 2018 UCI Urban World Championships in Chengdu, China, on Sunday.
Loupos, who qualified second in Saturday’s semi-finals, scored 88.72 points in his first run in Sunday’s final. In his second run, Loupos' attempt at bettering his score ended when he put both feet on the ground. 18-year-old Justin Dowell (USA) took the gold after a producing a superb 92.20 point ride in his first run, which proved too strong for all other competitors. Kenneth Tencio Esquivel (Costa Rica) took the silver medal with his first run of 88.9 points. “It feels great, I worked hard to get on the podium and after having a disappointing worlds in 2017 when I got tenth with a bad mistake, to come back this year with third, it feels really good,” said Loupos, who celebrated victory in the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in April and second in round two in May. “I was aiming for the top spot and I thought I could have done it. But to have that little slip up in my first run, but to still get on the podium, it’s pretty awesome.” Loupos narrowly edged countryman Jake Wallwork (88.6points) into fourth overall. “I’m stoked! It feels amazing to make the top four at world champs, especially coming off a win last week,” said Wallwork, who won gold at the final round of the World Cup Series held one week before the World Championships. “Last year it was all a bit new, it was different, but this year I knew what to expect, I trained my backside off and I came into this event strong.” BMX Freestyle Park debutant Caroline Buchanan finished twelfth overall after she was unable to start the finals due to a crash in practice in which she sustained a dislocated and broken finger. “I was hoping to end the year on a bit more of a high, but hopefully I’ll back riding soon,” said Canberra’s dual BMX racing Olympian and eight-time world champion, who continues her recovery after an off-road vehicle accident outside of Canberra in December forced her off the bike for six months. “This year is all about resilience building.” Gold Coast’s Kyle Baldock, who won silver at Sydney’s X-Games in October, crashed in his opening runs and missed out on a finals berth. Reigning world champion Logan Martin, who claimed the first-ever rainbow jersey on offer in the discipline in 2017, was forced to withdraw after injuring his ankle during training in October. Australia’s best now turn their focus to the inaugural Freestyle BMX Nationals which is set to thrill fans at Melbourne’s Rampfest from 23-24 November 2018, which offers the first green and gold jersey on offer in the discipline. Following his scorching end to the season, Melbourne’s Wallwork is keen for a strong showing on his home track. “Ahead of nationals, I’m feeling great. It’s on my home ground, and I’m excited to try and get that green and gold jersey.” 
What was your favourite cycling moment in 2018?
There were so many incredible moments for Australian cycling in 2018 it was difficult to narrow it down, but we have twelve amazing moments which make up our 2018 JLT Australian Cycling Moment of the Year. The Australian Cycling team figures prominently in the list via Rohan Dennis, Alistair Donohoe, Matthew Glaetzer and Luke Plapp's world titles, Steph Morton's triple gold at the Commonwealth Games, our team pursuit's stunning 3:49.804 ride at the Commonwealth Games, Logan Martin’s BMX-factor at the FISE World Series, and Amanda Spratt's stellar silver at the UCI Road Worlds! Choose your favourite moment via the survey and you could be celebrating another fantastic year at the 2018 Cycling Australia Awards in Melbourne on Friday 23 November. Terms & Conditions
 Brandon. Jake. Caroline. Kyle. BMX Freestyle World Champs. China. This weekend! PHOTO - CON CHRONIS The second edition of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships gets under way in Chengdu, China, this week (November 7-11).
Look out for the Aussies in action - Brandon Loupos, Jake Wallwork, Caroline Buchanan and Kyle Baldock! Sydney's Loupos celebrated victory in the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup, while Melbourne's Wallwork claimed the win in the Series' final round last weekend. Gold Coast’s Baldock took silver last month at the Sydney X-Games, while Australia’s Queen of BMX Buchanan was been selected following her ninth place at the Freestyle World Cup in China on the weekend. The Gold Coast’s reigning world champion Logan Martin, who claimed the first-ever rainbow jersey on offer in the discipline in 2017, was forced to withdraw after injuring his ankle during training in October. Catch Sunday's Finals live via the UCI BMX Freestyle Facebook page or via UCI Youtube channel. Visit the official 2018 Urban Worlds website at www.urbanworlds.cn  Australia’s Queen of BMX - Caroline Buchanan - has been selected to represent Australia at the 2018 UCI Freestyle Park World Championships following her 9th place at the Freestyle World Cup in China on the weekend.
It was an outstanding freestyle debut for Buchanan, who is better known as a world-class BMX racer, as she dips her toe into the freestyle world after suffering life-threatening injuries following an off-road vehicle accident outside of Canberra last December. “It’s an absolute honour to qualify for my first Freestyle BMX World Championships’’, said Caroline Buchanan. “Like any great flight you have to buckle down for the turbulence on the way up and I had some crashes over the course of the practice sessions as I was learning my lines and tricks. ‘’Importantly to me, this makes it my fourth cycling discipline world championship I have competed in over the past ten years having already competed at 4cross and downhill mountain biking, and BMX racing.” About the UCI Urban World Championships The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships will be held from 5-11 November 2018. The event is the world championship events for freestyle park BMX, cross-country eliminator, and trials. In 2018 the event will be held in Chengdu, China and is organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of world cycling. 
Dual Olympian, Caroline Buchanan will try her hand at a new discipline of cycling when she competes in the final round of the 2018 UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup in China from 2-4 November.
Last December, Buchanan suffered life-threatening injuries including a broken nose, sternum, two collapsed lungs and bleeding around her heart following an off-road vehicle accident outside of Canberra. The accident forced her off the bike until July where she claimed the win in just her second race back at the Rockshox Pump Track Challenge in Canada. "It has been quite a challenging year for me, most of my years have been an athlete focus," said the 28-year-old, who married her longtime partner Barry Noble in the USA last month. "2018 has been a human focus; life and health have taken priority." "I have never had six months off the bike before, so the challenge for me this year was all about being patient, sit through injuries and recover."
In true Buchanan style, when faced with one challenge, the best response is to take on another. The Canberran has taken up Freestyle BMX, an exciting new discipline of the sport which sees cyclists perform a series of tricks and jumps across a ramp-filled course.
"I love a challenge, I have pelted in a straight line for 22 years of my life, so for me to step away from being a racer into freestyle, to have to learn aerial awareness, to taking my hand off my handlebar for the first time in twenty years, to learning the tricks and the backflips," Buchanan explained. "It has been quite a rewarding journey, it has taken me back to that five-year-old girl when I started riding my bike, every day was a win. "I have small wins each day to take away, not only in my comeback, to continue to build where I need to be, back in the racing world."
The change of disciplines isn't new for Buchanan whose eight world titles are comprised of mountain biking and BMX. However, she believes it was her car accident in December that has given her the resolve to take on the new challenge.
"Any time I have stepped off the racing path I have always been on two wheels, but I have always been on dirt," she explained. "This is still two wheels, but a very different environment, learning metal coping, concrete, being on wood. "I am going from a sport where you might crash one or two times a year, to one where you may crash 10-20 times a session when you're learning, it has built resilience, and I smile through the journey and continue the personal progression. "I wouldn’t have been able to do this before the accident, but coming back from my injury, it has pushed me. It has strengthened me to know what my body can sustain. I know I am never going to get that injury on a bike, so that has given me the confidence to step into this new world." Buchanan's progression has been rapid, with her competition debut set for November 2 at the 2018 UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup. "I was nervous to sign up," Buchanan revealed. "I am completely stepping out of my comfort zone. I think it has been rewarding as an eight-time world champion in different disciplines of cycling, but to put the 'L' plates on again, to learn, to come in as an underdog, it is exhilarating." While Buchanan is dipping her toe into the discipline which is set to make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, there is no denying the dual Olympian's goal for the Games. "I went to London, I went to Rio, and my goal is to go to Tokyo for racing," Buchanan asserted. “Racing is my bread and butter. I'm competitive, I love racing, for me that is first and foremost. "I have always treated mountain biking as a bonus, it has always been my refresh button, it has kept longevity for me in the sport. So I see BMX Freestyle as that, a refresh and for diversity."
Regardless of which form she chooses, Buchanan is excited about what lies ahead for her in her newly elected discipline.
"What you can see you can't be," she added. "The scene is evolving for women and girls now. We have seen the expansion of all action sports into the Olympics, we have the first nationals coming up soon and would hope that is the first opportunity for women. "I have taken a passion and would love to see more girls get involved."
Photos - Con Chronis
 Tissot UCI Track World Cup #2 - Milton, Canada
Stephanie Morton completed a set of medals at the second round of the UCI Track World Cup in Canada with day three keirin silver adding to team sprint gold with Kaarle McCulloch and sprint bronze. It was a new Australian Record for Morton and partner Kaarle McCulloch on the opening day as they took gold in 32.456secs, eclipsing their own mark set at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April. For the second straight World Cup, Morton set a personal best in the sprint qualification (10.514secs), but was edged by eventual gold medallist Wai Sze Lee (Hong Kong) in the semi finals before winning the bronze final. Morton then took silver in her final event behind the USA's Madalyn Godby. "I am really happy with my results here, to firstly get the Aussie record with Kaarle in the team sprint was amazing, then pull out another 10.5 for the third week in a row and snag the bronze was good assurance that I'm on the right track," said Morton. "It was a big day in the office for the keirin having to come through the repechage but I kept focusing one race at a time and really happy with how I rode to finish with silver." The World Cup completes a huge block of racing across three continents for the sprint crew which began with the Oceania Track Championships in early October, and has included two World Cups. The crew will return home before heading to round three and four in Germany and England in December. "It’s a good feeling that on our eighth team sprint in three weeks, in three different continents that we have been able to ride our best time," said Kaarle McCulloch. "We are tired, that is a given after what we have been thrown the last three weeks and so we went in with the mindset today to show a bit of mongrel in us which I think we both showed. "We were a little speechless with our last time which got us the Aussie record and for us seeing what we have been through and seeing where we can potentially go is really exciting." In the men's sprint, Matthew Glaetzer fired to win his second straight sprint gold after winning the title in round one in Paris last weekend. In almost a repeat of the French affair, fastest qualifier (9.517secs) Glaetzer defeated Harrie Lavreysen (NED) in three heats in the final. Nathan Hart won sprint bronze, while Hart plus Patrick Constable and Jacob Schmid finished fifth in the team sprint for the second straight World Cup. Constable was seventh in the keirin. |
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