O'Brien celebrates winning gold at the Gold Coast Games. Photo © Tim Bardsley-Smith.
Two of Australia’s world record team pursuit quartet will switch the fixed gear for the road bike this week, with Kelland O’Brien and Sam Welsford to suit up for the Australian Cycling Academy in the National Road Series.
The Australian Cycling Team members will reunite again for the Tours second event for men, the Campolina-Visit Victoria Tour of the Great South Coast, a five-day, six-stage Tour beginning in Mt Gambier on 15 August. In April, O’Brien scorched the Anna Meares Velodrome with Alex Porter, Sam Welsford and Leigh Howard, with a time of 3mins 49.804secs in the gold medal ride at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the first sub 3:50 time in history. “I can't believe how fast time has gone since April! That day is probably the most memorable day of my career to date for sure,” said O’Brien, who revealed the quartet celebrated with a tattoo of the new mark. “The atmosphere in the velodrome day one of the Commonwealth Games was electric. During racing, I can never hear the crowd, but in that final, the crowd was so loud that it was all I could hear!” The youngest cycling team member and one of the youngest gold medallists at the Commonwealth Games, O’Brien only turned 20 in May and has revelled growing in Tim Decker’s endurance program. “My parents always treated me as an equal person and not a child, and from the moment I came into this program I was treated with the same respect and what comes with that is I an expected to operate at the professional level the older guys do,” he remarked. “Being a part of Tim's program has been a dream come true for me. Not to say it hasn't been without its challenges, but I love the challenge, working in our group is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and I couldn't be more proud to say I belong there!” Since a break after the Games, O’Brien has mixed track and road, with two trips to Japan including a win and podium in two Madisons with Welsford at the Japan Track Cup in July. “I had some time off relaxing after the Commonwealth Games, but I was very keen to get stuck into it again! It felt awesome to get back on the track bike and get a win with Sam in Japan, we had won that event in 2017, so it was a good feeling to go back and win it again.” For the Campolina-Visit Victoria Tour of the Great South Coast, O’Brien will team with Welsford, fellow Australian Cycling Team member Cameron Scott – who took a stage win at the Tour of Qinghai Lake last month. Following the NRS season, O’Brien has his sights set on the summer track season starting with the Oceania Championships in Adelaide in October, followed by the UCI World Cup Series and December Nationals in Melbourne. “Summer track season is my favourite time of the year, and with even more racing on than usual I can't wait to get back to Adelaide with the team in preparation for that busy time of the year,” added O’Brien, who is now eyeing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “Although sub 3:50 was a fantastic achievement, we as a team see that as a great result on the way to our ultimate goal. “Next for the team is to regroup for the next two years leading up to Tokyo.” The seventh edition of the Campolina-Visit Victoria Tour of the Great South Coast will start with a traditional morning criterium in Mount Gambier on Wednesday 15 August, with the Tour to end with a grand finale street race on Portland’s waterfront on Sunday 19 August. Campolina-Visit Victoria Tour of the Great South Coast: Teams / Results
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 The Australian Cycling Team has landed in Aigle, Switzerland ahead of the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships which run 15-19 August. Returning 2017 representatives Alexandra Martin-Wallace (QLD) and Alice Culling (VIC) and eleven debutants form a 13-member squad set to contest the Championships held at the UCI World Cycling Centre. Martin-Wallace and Culling, along with Sophie Edwards (SA), Lauren Robards (ACT) and Sarah Gigante (VIC) will contest the women’s endurance events, while Luke Plapp (VIC), Blake Quick (QLD), James Moriarty (QLD), Michael Rice (ACT) and Luke Wight (SA) form the men’s endurance quintet. The sprint trio features Leigh Hoffman (SA), Thomas Cornish (NSW) and Alana Field (VIC). Selected following February Track Nationals, the team has been turning heads at their camp held at the Australian Cycling Team headquarters in Adelaide, and not just because of their freshly dyed hair. “They are one of the best groups I have ever worked with, how they have come together as a squad and bonded in such a short period, it is very impressive,” said Matthew Gilmore, Cycling Australia’s National Junior Coach. “We have worked just as hard on the team cultures and establishing team values, and this has really shaped the team, helped them be better teammates to each other,” added Gilmore, who was impressed by the team's level of detail in researching and delivering a presentation to the coaches on the legacy of the men’s annual tradition of dying their hair blonde. “The Junior Worlds is the biggest thing for the riders at the moment, but for us, it provides a real opportunity for us to set the tone moving forward, for the team and CA moving forward. "If we start that at the junior level, then it gets them on the right step.” Debutant Leigh Hoffman has enjoyed the jump from the state level to the national team for his maiden World Championships. “It has been a huge culture change stepping up, we have learned it is all about respect. Respect of your team kit, your teammates, the opportunity you have,” Hoffman said. “And for so many riders from all around the country to get along so well, it is fantastic. We have moulded together really well; we are just one happy family.” Follow the Australian Cycling Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates from the World Championships. Visit https://www.aigle2018.com for more event information. Australian Cycling Team - 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships WOMEN’S ENDURANCE
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The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy.
Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race. 
Seven-time world champion Cooke was content with her dual silver medal-winning performance.
“I came into these World Championships hoping to bring home the world champion stripes, and I was in the best shape of my life,” said Cooke, who finished behind the USA’s Jill Walsh in both races. “I had my race plans in place and rode them perfectly, gave everything that I had. Unfortunately for me someone else, Jill was faster on both days. “But I am very proud to have done my best, and for me that is the success, doing my best in any race. Two silver medals aren't too shabby! I am very happy to have been on the podium.” A leader on and off the bike, Cooke, 56, recognised the growth and improving quality Tricycle racing, while also revealing the results of her teammates inspire her. “The Trike class is growing and becoming stronger, and I am happy to be part of that growth. “It has just made me hungrier for the next racing against Jill which will happen in a couple of weeks away in Canada at the last World Cup. “It was also great to see my teammates do so well, Kaitlyn Schurmann in her first ever World Championship taking two silver and Emilie Miller winning two gold! Watching them ride is so inspiring.” Cooke also paid tribute to retiring Cycling Australia’s Technical Director of Para-cycling Peter Day. “We have an amazing team which has been put together by Peter over the last ten years, and it is with a heavy heart that we will be saying goodbye to his leadership in September. However, we all wish him the best in his retirement, and I am sure that his wife Cheryl will be more than happy to have him at home!” Like Cooke, Macdougall was ecstatic with her dual podium appearance in the road race and time trial. "I am feeling absolutely awesome, am super stoked to pick up two silvers, and it was even more special to share the time trial podium with my Aussie teammate Meg," said Macdougall. "The time trial was one of the most interesting and scenic courses we have had - not that I got to take a lot of it in - I raced and paced it well, crossing the line knowing I had given it everything I had. "I am super proud of the race and of my performance, 200% improvement on my total career medals. "But results like that aren’t an individual effort and I am so grateful to our support team." Official results: visit the UCI website. 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy. Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race.  For Donohoe, 23, a stunning solo victory in the C5 road race gave him his third road rainbow jersey from the last four World Championships. The 2014 and 2015 road world champion was part of a three-rider breakaway for most of the race before his attack on the pair inside the final few kilometres went unanswered. “It was super aggressive in the first two laps, then on the last lap I hit the pair before the fast run into town, and from there it was just head down to the finish, and I managed to hold them off,” said Donohoe, who won by twenty seconds. “Winning solo is always a rarity especially being someone who prefers the sprints, and my first victory since Rio. After having some health and injury problems last season, it was just so, so, so good to get back on top. “And in my favourite event, this is a fantastic win. In a typically Australian way, I’m stoked.” Official results: visit the UCI website.
2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
 The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy. Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title - read more. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race. Miller, 23, is still coming to terms with her dual gold medal performance. “I don’t think it has sunk in yet, it’s a humbling experience,” said Miller, “It felt amazing to pull on the rainbow jersey, and I was thrilled to see the hard training paying off. “I felt it was my best race on an international stage so far. I felt I rode a very good race technically by choosing good lines, and I surprised myself with how strong I was on the climbs and had a strong, fast finish to the race.” While the only rider in her category at the World Championships, Millar praised Cycling Australia for allowing the opportunity to represent her country on the international stage. “I am very proud to be the only woman in my class at this World Championships. Other countries have riders in this class, and they haven’t brought them to compete, so I’m grateful for the support that Cycling Australia has given me to be able to represent my country.” Official results: visit the UCI website.
2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
Darren Hicks in 2017 - Photo Boogs McFadden
The Australian Cycling Team is locked and loaded ahead of the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships which begin Thursday 2 August in Maniago, Italy.
The team is littered with some of the biggest names in para-cycling, including seven-time and dual reigning world champion Carol Cooke, Paralympic gold medallist David Nicholas, former world champion Kyle Bridgwood and Alistair Donohoe. And while it is easy to focus on these names, there have been two riders quietly making names for themselves in households across the country. South Australian duo Darren Hicks and Meg Lemon announced themselves at the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships when on their debut, they clinched dual silver and dual bronze respectively. In 2018, they the pair head into the World Championships in form and full of confidence after winning gold at May’s opening round of the UCI Para Road World Cup in Belgium. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work since Belgium working on both skills and fitness in preparation for these World Champs,” said Lemon, who will contest the women’s C4 road race and time trial from Friday. “Our coach believes he’s worked as harder than ever, so I’m hoping the hard work will pay off here.” “I would love to podium again this year at Worlds and the World Cup hoping my form and skills I have worked in will help to improve and move up the step to perhaps silver or gold in the race,” added Lemon. “You never know what will happen race day and how everyone else performs, but it’s all about experience and working towards the next few years and qualifying and hopefully peaking at Tokyo.” However, while she is clearly focussed on her own race and path to Tokyo, Lemon was quick to point out to others what she believes her teammates are capable of achieving this weekend. “I’m also so excited to see what my teammates can do. I have a feeling Darren might beat us to the rainbow stripes this year,” Lemon remarked. 
Meg Lemon in 2017 - Photo Boogs McFadden
For Darren Hicks who will race the men’s C2 road race and time trial, his 2018 season has been almost flawless with dual national titles in January, followed by World Cup gold in May.
“It's been a dream start to the road season, most of my training is in preparation for road competition, so it was great to see all of that pay off in Belgium,” said Hicks, who despite the early season successes, has continued to strive for the marginal gains. “As far as performance goes my numbers were good in Ostend, but we have worked on a few things since coming home and made some nice gains in a couple of areas. “After a surprising set of results last year, going backwards and staying stagnant aren't options so that only leaves climbing one step higher on the podium! “So quite simply, winning is my one and only goal.” More on the Championships The Championships will be live streamed via the official Facebook page, with more event information via the official website. For official start lists and results, visit the UCI website. 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships
Alistair celebrates his 2015 world title.
The Australian Cycling Team has arrived in Italy ahead of the 2018 UCI Para Road World Championships to be held from 2-5 August.
The team is together for the first time since May’s opening round of the Para Road World Cup in Belgium where the team grabbed 12 medals, including gold to Carol Cooke, Darren Hicks, Stuart Tripp, Meg Lemon and Kyle Bridgwood. Carol Cooke added to the tally gold and silver at the second round in the Netherlands. Following the World Cup where he grabbed bronze, dual road world champion Alistair Donohoe opted to spend his final few weeks of preparation in his bedroom. But while it might sound like he was skipping training to catch up on his TV shows, it was all in the name of sport performance. “For the past three weeks, I’ve had the altitude tent set up in my bedroom,” explained Donohoe, 23, “It’s actually super boring as I had to lock myself in my room for around 14 hours a day (including sleep) and pretend like I was the bubble boy. I became good friends with Netflix! “I did it not because I’m going to go racing at altitude, but for the physiological benefits of increasing (or trying to) the number of red blood cells in my body. “The hardest part is the added fatigue effects it has on your body and trying to train at 100% while in the tent can be pretty difficult, you have a few more off days than usual, and your sleep/recovery isn't quite as good, so it's a bit of a balancing act.”
Donohoe’s balancing act has not been confined to the four walls of a hyperbaric chamber, with his season interspersed with Australian team commitments including the Track World Championships, and his debut season with Conti team Mobius BridgeLane.
“The new team Mobius BridgeLane has been awesome so far, a great group of guys and an incredible support network. I'm really enjoying my time with them and every race we enter,” said Donohoe, who raced his debut season in the USA just after winning silver at the UCI Track World Championships in Rio. “Racing in the USA at the beginning of the year was a great experience too, having raced in Europe and Asia it was nice to get a taste of what the US had to offer, and it was some pretty high-class racing. “It was tough coming straight off Track World Championships and going into that racing, but it definitely helped my bronze medal performance at the Belgium World Cup in May.”
The 2014 and 2015 road world champion is chasing rainbows next week in Italy and will line up in the road race and time trial from August 2.
“Of course, the goal is to bring home some stripes,” he said. “But it is always hard to know how you're feeling without having any preparation races! “I've been doing a lot of time trial training the past few weeks and should have faith in the numbers I’m seeing and that they indicate I’m moving pretty well. “The road race is, of course, my bread and butter event, and I would love more than anything to take that one out and stand on the top step, so we'll see how that goes!” So after weeks in the bubble, and 20+ hours on the plane, what will Donohoe’s first move be when he arrives in team camp? “My first few days will mostly involve recovering from the jet lag as fast as possible and settling into the new time zone, then will be tapering into the racing. “I'll also be trying to acclimatise to the hot weather over there, so I will be utilising a sauna for the first few days to do heat acclimatisation sessions.” 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships
Reigning world champion Logan Martin stormed to win round three of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup in Edmonton.
Despite inclement weather forcing the qualifying and semi-final rounds to the same day, Martin was not fazed as he qualified in second on Saturday. In Sunday's final, Martin was left in fifth overall after suffering a flat tyre during his first run. However, following a quick tyre change, he came back to shred his final run with a sensational 95.00 and take the win ahead of Marin Ranteš and Dennis Enarson. “It was great to be back in Canada for the third stop of the FISE World Series," said Martin. "The weather played a bit of a factor during qualifying and semis, so my plan was to just stay on my bike and get through the Saturday and focus on Sunday's finals. "I felt confident going into finals. In my first run, I cased and this caused me to finish the rest of my run with a flat tyre, but after a quick tyre fix, I was ready for my second run. "At that moment, I felt some pressure because I had only this run left to do exactly what was needed to find the podium. "But I kept calm and focused on what I needed to do to win. I managed to do exactly what I wanted to do and scored a 95 finishing the contest in first."
The win continues Martin's strong comeback after he missed April's opening round in China following a training crash that broke his collar bone in four places. His comeback race came in the Series' second round in France in May where he grabbed second place.
Martin is eyeing Olympic glory following the IOC's decision to add BMX Freestyle to the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Visit www.fise.fr or follow FISE for all the World Cup updates. 
Photo - Mitchelton-Scott Facebook
Australian Cycling Team members Amanda Spratt, Gracie Elvin and Sarah Roy are celebrating after a dominant performance at the most prestigious women’s Tour on the calendar, the Giro Rosa.
The three members of the Australian women's outfit Mitchelton-Scott combined with fellow Aussie Jess Allen, world time trial champion Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) and Jolien D’hoore (BEL).
van Vleuten made history by winning the final stage and securing the Tour win for the first time in the team’s seven-year history, while Spratt became the first Australian in 24 years to finish the Tour on the podium.
Spratt, who won stage six, grabbed third on GC and the green points jersey. “We came here wanting to win the Giro-Rosa as a team and Annemiek has done it and it is really thanks to the entire team. The riders, the staff, everyone has worked so hard for this, it’s giving me goosebumps to see how well we have all worked together," said Spratt.
Following last month’s racing in France and the Czech Republic, members of the Australian Track team headed to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Velodrome in Izu for Japan Track Cup.
The Cup featured two carnivals over three days, and for many of the team, it was their first hit out on the boards since the Commonwealth Games which netted 19 medals including ten gold Three months on from their stunning and the stunning sub 3:50 team pursuit world record ride, Sam Welsford and Kelland O’Brien partnered across the two days in the Madison. With their bikes delayed in transit, they were unable to find their feet early in the first race finishing with bronze. However, on the third day of competition, the pair treated the crowd to a classy display of Madison riding, controlling the race from start to the finish and doubling their nearest rivals on the points tally. In other events, Welsford won the omnium, while fresh from their European schedule, Macey Stewart and Kristina Clonan grabbed silver and bronze in their two Madison appearances. “Great to see them in action again even though they are just beginning to start their training again over the last few weeks,” said Senior Men's Track Endurance Coach Tim Decker. “We will start to build slowly from here with the team towards the beginning of the World Cup season.”
The sprint team enjoyed the podium across the three days, with Kaarle McCulloch winning the keirin and sprint bronze on day one.
Pat Constable bagged keirin bronze in a strong field on day two, while Jacob Schmid collected two top-five results in the sprint. “It was a great trip to start the season after a good break following the Comm Games,” said National Senior Track Sprint Coach Nick Flyger. “It was good for the sprinters to check out the 2020 velodrome, and we were able to focus on the processes and applying the skills and tactics we had been working on since the Games. “For the squad, it was nice to also catch up and train with Matt Glaetzer while he is competing in the Japan Keirins.” The squads will be back in action on home soil at the 2019 Oceania Track Championships in Adelaide from 10-13 October.
Visit morecadence.jp for more on the Japan Track Cup.
 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and triple World Championship medallist Katrin Garfoot, 36, has officially announced her retirement from cycling today. “I am content with my journey over the past few years. I thank everyone involved and everyone who supported me,” said Garfoot. German-born Garfoot began competitive cycling in 2011 at the age of 29 after being encouraged by her husband Chris to purchase a three-race license with the Gold Coast Cycling Club. Garfoot enjoyed immediate success on the local circuit before dominating Australia’s domestic scene in 2013, claiming overall honours in the Cycling Australia National Road Series. The World Tour beckoned, with Garfoot joining the Orica/AIS team in 2014 where she amassed a number of World Tour podium appearances in her debut season. After officially becoming an Australian citizen in 2013, Garfoot made her Australian team debut at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games where she won time trial bronze. At the UCI Road World Championships, Garfoot rewrote the Australian cycling history books, firstly by becoming the first Australian woman in history to win two medals in one event after claiming back-to-back time trial bronze in 2016 and 2017. At the 2017 World Championships, Garfoot’s road race silver saw her become just the second Australian woman after Anna Wilson to claim dual medals in the same year. In the history of the Road World Championships, Garfoot stands with Michael Rogers as the only two riders to claim three medals for Australia. Garfoot made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio and, after having come down with a badly timed flu in the lead up to the event, she finished as the highest placed Australian in ninth in the time trial, while also contesting a brutal women’s road race. In 2018, Garfoot claimed her third consecutive time trial national title at the FedUni Road National Championships to take her career tally to four after storming to the 2017 road crown. In her final professional cycling event raced in her hometown, Garfoot claimed Commonwealth Games gold with an emphatic victory in the time trial. “After the Commonwealth Games I wanted to see if life swept me up and it sort of has. I did not feel like training anymore,” revealed Garfoot. “My cycling career was an intense time for me and now I want to enjoy life with my friends and family. “A lot of people asked me "what comes next for you". I am not certain of what that is, but I am taking my time to mull over some ideas and see what comes of it.” Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake paid tribute to Garfoot. “From her first race with her local club to the absolute pinnacle representing her adopted country at the Olympic and World Championships, Kat has had an amazing cycling journey. “While Kat’s international results are worthy of high praise, it is her passion, dedication and commitment to excellence that will be her lasting legacy. “Kat is clearly a gifted athlete, but she has also provided a great example to women that it is never too late to try competitive cycling. “We wish Kat all the best in the next chapter of her life and we hope to see her around a bike race very soon.” Katrin Garfoot Career Highlights
Photos credit John Veage, Casey Gibson, Con Chronis, Tim Bardsley-Smith.
In a repeat of May's opening round of the UCI Para Road World Cup, Carol Cooke claimed gold and silver at round two in the Netherlands.
Cooke prevailed in the time trial by more than thirty seconds over of Jill Walsh (USA), before her US rival turned the tables to win the road race. The pair are now tied on the UCI Rankings. "I'm very happy with how I rode both races at this second World Cup," said Cooke, who revealed she is starting to reap the benefits of long hours in the saddle in a new time trial racing position. "For the first time I felt really comfortable in that position and it is obviously helping as I won by a fairly good margin. "I still have some work to do on my road race, however, the dynamics of the race were different because we were racing alongside the men. So that will change at the World Championships when we are riding our own race." Cooke will now head to the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre (ETC) in Italy for targeted individual sessions, before the dual reigning and seven-time world champion joins the entire Australian team ahead of the Para Road World Championships which begin August 2. "I'm looking forward to training at the ETC, it will help me acclimatise to the heat in Italy and help me focus solely on what I am here to do," Cooke added. "But I think one of the most important things is that I will be doing some specific sprint training in the next four weeks. My last two World Cup Road Races have come down to the final sprint and as history has shown Jill has got me on both of those." "I'm looking forward to Worlds and looking forward to being back with the team. Obviously, my goal is to hold on to both my World Championship jerseys and I am feeling very fit and confident that I can do it." Read more about Carol here. 2018 has been stellar to date for Sydney's Kaarle McCulloch with dual Commonwealth Games gold, plus silver and bronze, a thirteenth national title, and a host of new personal best times across the boards. On the eve of her departure to July's Japan Track Cup, McCulloch chatted with us about her memorable week at the Games, hitting the mountain bike trails, partnering with Steph Morton and the fire that burns for a second Olympic Games appearance.  "I guess the thing that stands out the most that most people never realise is how nervous I was ALL day." GOLD COAST GOLD: What a week for at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games with four podiums from four events including individual & team gold! I’ve dreamt my entire career to stand on top of the podium on my own at an event like the Commonwealth Games. I love the team sprint and it holds something very special to me, but to win the time trial and to be able to say I did that all on my own was very special. The thing that stands out the most that most people never realise is how nervous I was ALL day. I really sincerely believe that if you’re not nervous you can’t do exceptional things and I was able to turn all those nerves into something really special. I had already raced the event in my mind so many times before without outcome and so the ride itself was one of those ‘dream moments’ that you don’t get very often in your career. I can really only say I have had that kind of moment three or so times my career and they have mostly all come at critical times like in 2009 when Anna and I won our first World Title together. When I crossed the line and saw 33.5, I was so happy because my goal was to ride 33.5. Also, when I saw Steph rode 33.6 I was so happy for her because that was a huge PB for her but I also knew that if I nailed it that I was capable of winning. Some of the memorable moments of that night were when Steph came to congratulate me, I felt an honest and genuine connection with her in that moment and I think it speaks loads about our camaraderie. I was also able to go and hug my family who has known my aspirations and I really felt like they won that night.  "It has been a hard slog since getting back into it, as all offseason training is especially in the cold, but its the necessary evil of what we do, you have to hurt if you want to win." VETERAN MOVE: When taking a post-Games break means hopping on a mountain bike! I have learnt that it is so important to take a proper break after big events. As a team, we were allowed two weeks off at Gold Coast 2018- which included the second week in the Games Village after our racing finished and isn’t much of a break! So when we were told to get back into some easy work two weeks after, I wasn’t quite ready and instead I let myself be inspired to get back on again. This didn’t take long though because…I bought a mountain bike! I have since been thoroughly enjoying being truly out with nature and just doing something so different. I was able to spend time with my family and my boyfriend and I felt like my batteries were recharged when I did go back to Adelaide four weeks after the games. Since then its been a hard slog as all offseason training is, especially in the cold but its the necessary evil of what we do, you have to hurt if you want to win. "I have been able to watch Steph grow every year and that makes me glad she is on my team and no one else’s!" NEW PARTNERSHIP: McCulloch, a three-time team sprint world champion & 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, is firing with new partner Steph Morton. I am really so excited for the Team Sprint! Steph and I have already been a force to be reckoned with but in all honesty, we haven’t really spent that much time working together. So now that I have moved to Adelaide I feel like we can go a step further in our partnership. I am also just so proud of Steph. When she first came into this program in 2013, she was so raw and didn’t realise her talent. But I see her grow every year and she is starting to believe in her potential and I guess that makes me glad she is on my team and no one else’s! But I think for myself also I just see improvement every day and I am glad I got through the rough times I went through because I feel like I am on the other side now and really pushing that last bit up to the summit of Mount Everest.  "It is a scary prospect of what it will take to win, but then you see the plan and the steps to get there you start to realise that it is very possible." NO STONE UNTURNED: McCulloch knows what it will take to get to Tokyo 2020. Tokyo is my big goal. The Commonwealth Games gave me the realisation that the sky is the limit. I feel such potential and energy, like when I was preparing for the London Olympics when I super focused and really balanced in all aspects of my life. I also have a plan now through to Tokyo as set by my support team down in Adelaide, and when you can see your plan it is a scary prospect of what it will take to win, but then you see there are steps to get there, you start to realise that it is very possible. I know what it takes to win, I know what it feels like to step out on to an Olympic Velodrome and I have been the best in the world. So for me really it is about enjoying the next 766 days, working hard, believing in my plan and my team and building on the momentum that Steph and I have and putting that into a result on race day. Kaarle will race the Japan Cup in July before heading back to Australia for Adelaide’s Oceania Championship in October and the 2018/19 World Cup season.  Photos © Tim Bardsley-Smith / Casey Gibson
Dual reigning world champion Carol Cooke will warm up for her title defence at the second round of the UCI Para World Cup in the Netherlands this weekend.
Cooke, who claimed gold and silver at the first round of the World Cup in Belgium in May, will race the TT on Friday and the Road Race on Saturday (6pm/530pm AEST). “I’m looking forward to racing here, I had great races here last year, winning both the Road Race and TT, so I am hoping to do the same thing again this year,” said Cooke, who will line up in a small, but strong field, which includes Jill Walsh (USA) and Marie-Eve Croteau (CAN). “At this point, I am probably at the fittest level I have ever been (especially in the gym) and I’m feeling good leading into these races next week.” It has been a successful start to the 2018 season, and the qualification process towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, for the for the Australian Para-cycling Team with twelve medals, including six gold at May’s World Cup. Following the Championships, Cooke will head to the Australian Institute of Sport base in Italy before later joining the entire Australian team ahead of the Para Road World Championships which begin August 2. Follow Carol at the UCI Para World Cup in the Netherlands via the official website or via the UCI.  Canadian based Argon 18 and Cycling Australia have signed a contract to the end of 2020 to supply bikes to the elite Australian Cycling Team track squad. With the stated goal of gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in mind, Cycling Australia undertook a review in 2017 that encompassed all aspects of the team’s performances and sought improvements in all areas including athlete welfare, coaching support and technology. Simon Jones, Performance Director, Australian Cycling Team: “This partnership with Argon 18 is really exciting for the Australian Cycling Team, and fits perfectly with our stated direction and ambition for ongoing world-class success in the future. We felt as a team we needed to seek new and innovative technology solutions. “We conducted a thorough worldwide search and carefully considered our options. We knew this was a big decision and we gave it a massive amount of thought and research. We’re taking a broader approach to how we produce results and Argon 18 are our partner. This is more than ‘just the bikes’; this is partnership with shared goals.” For Argon 18, it’s an opportunity to join with one of the powerhouses of global cycling and work in a truly collaborative manner towards a shared and stated goal: Olympic success. Martin Faubert, R&D Director, Argon 18: “Our partnership with Cycling Australia for Tokyo 2020 will see us fully utilise Argon 18’s engineering prowess and cutting-edge technical expertise. Working in collaboration with Cycling Australia our goals are precise, and we target nothing less than the fastest bike in the world. We’re already hard at work with their engineers and mechanics and we want to bring home Olympic gold as much as they do.” Gervais Rioux, CEO & Founder Argon 18: “We’re totally thrilled that Cycling Australia have partnered with the team here at Argon 18. Even though track cycling is a niche market in the cycling industry, we at Argon 18 think it is important that we establish ourselves as the leader in the sport, with the best products and be number one in track cycling. Partnering with a clearly results driven team will allow us to bring new technology and our deeper aerodynamic knowledge to future products. Look for some surprising results in Tokyo 2020.” The first bikes have been delivered to the Australian Cycling Team’s headquarters in Adelaide with a complete roll out in the coming months.  |
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