Hear from some of the Australian Cycling Team as they discuss their insights and experiences of riding through COVID-19.

Hosted by Matt Poyner, our panel on Tuesday 1 September included Victoria's dual Paralympic champion Carol Cooke, 2016 Games medalist Stuart Tripp, four-time reigning world champion Emily Petricola and multiple national champion Hannah Macdougall.

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

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

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

Carol Cooke - Women's Only Ride 

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

Register now via the Zwift Companion App. 

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

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

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

Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the athletes selected to the Australian Team to contest the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships to be held in Belgium in June. 

The 2020 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will be held in Ostend, Belgium, from 4-7 June with the time trial and road race held across four disciplines Handbike (H), Cycle (C), Tri-cycle (T) and Tandem. 

The team features nine-time world champion Carol Cooke (VIC), who claimed both road and time trial world titles in 2019, and reigning time trial world champions Emily Petricola (VIC), Alistair Donohoe (VIC) and Darren Hicks (SA). 

2019 World Championship medalists Meg Lemon (SA) and Stuart Jones (NSW), 2016 Paralympic Games silver medalist Stuart Tripp (VIC) and Grant Allen (SA), round out the eight-member team. 

The Championships will be one of the final stops for Australia’s para-cyclists ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

“In line with our Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games strategy, we have selected a strong team to compete in Belgium,” said Warren McDonald, Para-cycling Technical Director, Cycling Australia. 

“After our recent success at the 2020 Para-cycling Track World Championships in Canada, I am confident we can continue this trajectory through Belgium as we close in on the Paralympic Games.”

The road cycling competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held 1-4 September. 
​
Australian Team for 2020 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships 

• Carol Cooke (VIC) T2 - 2019 road & time trial world champion 
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5 - 2019 time trial world champion
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2 - 2019 time trial world champion
• Stuart Jones (NSW) T2 - 2019 World Championships time trial silver medallist 
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4 - 2019 World Championships road & time trial bronze medallist  
• Emily Petricola (VIC) C4  - 2019 time trial world champion
• Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5 - 2019 World Championships 5th road; 4th time trial 
• Grant Allen (SA) H4 - 2019 Canada World Cup silver &2019 Italian World Cup bronze

Reigning world champions Alistair Donohoe, Carol Cooke, David Nicholas and Paige Greco swapped their rainbow jerseys for green and gold jerseys after claiming time trial gold on the opening day of the 2020 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat on Wednesday.

Carol Cooke claimed a ninth straight time trial national crown in the T2 category, covering two laps of the 8-kilometre course in 38mins 54.87secs. 

“It is such an honour to win this, today was a tough day. It was tough going up the hill the second time,” said Victoria’s Cooke, who praised event organisers for their inclusiveness at the Championships.

Victoria’s Alistair Donohoe shone in his rainbow jersey as he won his third consecutive green and gold jersey in the C5 final, negotiating three laps of the course in 35mins 28.03 seconds. 

“To be in my home state and in front of friends and family, to be in the rainbows. It is a pretty special feeling,” said Donohoe. “I had really good sensations out there today, it was a nice course, a refreshing change to the traditional courses over the past few years.”

>>> Full Recap

​Photos by Cycling Australia - Con Chronis/Zac Williams

QUOTES

Darren Hicks
Just this last weekend, we saw seven world records broken,so  you don’t just win one race and that’s a good year, you need to keep winning. I won three of the four World Cups on the road, two world championships and three national championships, and that’s barely enough. We have such a strong para squad and it’s a pleasure to be a part of it. It’s amazing to get this award.  
 
Paige Greco 
I’ve had a really awesome year, and it means a lot. Every time I look at it reminds me of an awesome year and it’s my first year on the team. I’ve been working really hard, and it’s been really good to see the results. It’s been an amazing year and I still can’t believe where I have been with my teammates!

Alistair Donohoe
This award highlights the fact I had to win three world championships just to get the award. David Nicholas was in there and he didn’t get an award. We’ve got some serious depth so it’s kind of exciting. I am stoked [with where I’m at], it just feels amazing to be back where I think I should be, after some ill health in 2017, I am really building back up in 2019. 

I personally think this award personally means a lot to me tonight. 

Carol Cooke
We have such a strong group of para-cyclists and that many world champions on this team. That being singled out for this [award] is very special, especially at this age and you know I hope that by showing people that it doesn’t matter what number it is that’s attached to your age and that if you love doing something that you can just keep doing it and reap the benefits of it. I think that this year has probably been the best year I’ve ever had because I didn’t put the pressure on myself that I had to be on the top step it was about enjoying it, it was about having fun and I probably had the most fun that I’ve ever had in a year of racing. 

Brandon Loupos
I don’t think it could have been better. It was cool. I can’t wait for 2020. I did so much learning in 2019 and it’s all about keeping that consistency in 2020 and to go or the gold in Tokyo. Logan won it (this award) two years in a row and I am stoked to come away with the win this year, it’s definitely an honour and to be the elite BMX cyclist of the year is pretty special. There’s a lot of world champions who don’t get to win this award and I’m blessed to not only win a world championship but to also win this award. 
 
Saya Sakakibara
It was a challenging but fulfilling season. Compared to last year I didn’t produce the results; I had a lot of mental challenges and having six crashes in four months it was definitely really tough to line up on the gate with other riders. But with the worlds I thought my performance was really good, I didn’t get the results I wanted but it adds fuel to the fire and makes me a lot hungrier. I finished off the season with a win at the Olympic test event and is such a great confidence booster. 
 
Amanda Spratt
It’s been a really great year and I am really proud to get this award tonight it caps it off, I think it’s been my best year to date. Maybe I didn’t get the same results on paper as what I got last year but I am really, really proud to finish off with a bronze medal after a great team performance also. It’s amazing, I love coming to this event every year, you get so much motivation out of it. You see the videos of what people have done and hear some stories you maybe didn’t know about some people and it’s just a feeling of motivation and excitement. I always walk out of here, ready to bust into training the next day!
 
Ashlee Ankudinoff
It’s pretty humbling, to be honest. I’ve been in this sport for ten years now and it’s been a long time coming. I’ve had a successful career and now I am getting towards the end so it’s really nice to come here and celebrate the success, not just the success of myself but of others. I definitely think I am in the form of my life. I have a great support network back in Adelaide and the environment there is unbelievable. I have trust in the process in what we’re doing. I go to training every day knowing that I have the support from everyone from the Cycling Australia staff.  Olympic gold is why I am still riding. I definitely would not be riding if I had ticked all my goals off and the Olympic gold is definitely one, and hopefully next August I can do that.

Sam Welsford
It’s been a ripper year. I never thought I’d be able to go dual world champion in one year, so I’m just really over the moon. I love coming to the Awards, it’s such a special night, to see Australia’s best come through to all celebrate the year we’ve had. I get really gee’d up when I see the year’s recap video, it makes you really forget about the Awards itself and makes you realise how special it is to ride for Australia.  
 
(On Tim Decker receiving Coach of the Year Award) Tim holds a special place in my heart he’s been my coach for a long time, starting in 2015 when I first moved to Adelaide, Tim backed me a said “look mate, if you want to be apart of this you’ve got to put the work in” so, I trusted him from then on. Really happy for him to get that award and I know that he holds the award itself very close to him. He strives and works really hard for that I think this is just a testament to what he puts in. ​

Victoria's Cooke claimed her eighth and ninth career world titles as she raced to win the T2 (tricycle) time trial and road races. 

“I can’t believe that I’ve done the double. But I came into this year with no expectations, to enjoy racing and have fun. It’s turned out to be the best year ever,” said Cooke, who won four gold and two silver during the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup to be crowned series champion. 

“I’ve learned a lot this year in regards to tactics and learning how to race (yes even after doing this for eight years) and that all comes from being open to trying new things with my coach Rebecca DiCello and my sports scientist Nick Owen. Those tactics certainly came into play today and helped me win this race.” 

Cooke will head to the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire this week to contest a UCI Para road race before the triple Paralympic champion takes a well-earned break. 

“For the first time at the able-bodied World Championships there will be a para race, so I am looking forward to helping make history by racing there! Then it’s home to have a short break, re-connect with my husband, dog and family as it has been such a big year. 

​“But I’ll be back in training soon as 2020 is a big one with the Tokyo Paralympics. So I’ll have to pick it up, even more, to firstly make the team and then if I do try and replicate Rio,” Cooke added. 

​​The Australian Cycling Team finished on top of the gold medal tally with nine gold to finish one ahead of Germany and Italy, while the team’s fifteen medal haul ranked third on the nation’s ranking behind the USA (21) and Germany (19).

Following a five-world title haul on day one, Australia has added more rainbows at the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships in the Netherlands with Carol Cooke (VIC) and Emilie Miller (NSW) winning the time trial.

Cooke claimed her eighth career world title as she raced to win the T2 (tricycle) time trial by more than one minute to her nearest rival. 

"I’m absolutely stoked to have won my eighth title, it actually feels surreal!," remarked Cooke, the dual reigning Paralympic time trial champion. "I think from now on Friday the 13th will be a good luck day for me!"

Cooke clocked 38mins 11:66secs across the 20.8-kilometre course to take the gold over longtime rival Jill Walsh (USA). 

"I wanted to make sure I had something in the tank for the second lap so tried to not take it out too hard," Cooke detailed her ride. "After the first lap I knew I was up on the American but wanted a bigger buffer so really tried to dig deep on the second lap."

Team Australia now boasts seven gold in two days ​after Darren Hicks (C2), Emily Petricola (C4), Paige Greco (C3) Alistair Donohoe (C5) and David Nicholas (C3) won the time trial on Thursday. 

"The team is defining a high. We are such a close knit team, athletes and staff, so it’s great to see every doing so well," added Cooke.

Australia will look to add more medals in the road races on Saturday and Sunday. 

Stuart Jones (NSW) claimed silver in the T2 final, while Stuart Tripp (VIC) came agonisingly close to a medal after finishing 0.4 of a second off the H5 podium in fourth. Alex Welsh (VIC) was 18th in the H3 time trial.

About 

• ?️‍? 2019 UCI Para Cycling Road Worlds
• ? Netherlands  
• ? 11-15 September 2019
• ? Website cyclingdrenthe.nl 
• ⏱ Results www.votrecourse.com
• ? Live Stream www.nyaistartv.com
• ?? Team Australia www.australiancyclingteam.com​

Australia’s Carol Cooke (T2) and Paige Greco (C3) were crowned 2019 UCI Para World Cup Series champions following the third and final round of the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season in Canada. 
 
After netting twelve medals at each of the first two rounds in Belgium and Italy in May, the Australian Team ended the season with five medals in Baie-Comeau, through Cooke, Greco, plus Darren Hicks (C2) and Grant Allen (H4). 

For the Series, Cooke won four gold and two silver in the time trial and road races held across the three World Cups including dual gold in Canada to cap her 2019 Series. 
 
“I came into this year deciding to just have fun racing and have no expectations of myself and I think that has worked,” said Cooke. “Winning the World Cup series was never on my radar for this year but it’s nice to have done it again.”

Rising star Greco claimed three gold, a bronze and a fifth place across her debut World Cup season. 
“I’ve loved being apart of the Australian team going to the world cups this year,” said Greco. “I’ve learned and gain so much knowledge and taken things away from each race. 

“Coming away with the series win was awesome and has given me the drive to keep improving! Thanks again to the staff on all the trips I couldn’t have achieved it without them.”

Darren Hicks (C2) finished second overall after finishing inside the top four in all six races in the season, including dual time trial gold. 

Grant Allen (H4) ended his season on a high with silver in the road race to finish sixth overall, while Stu Tripp (H5) finished fifth on the standings.     

In the women's C4 classification, Hannah Macdougall and Meg Lemon ended the season in third and fourth respectively despite only contesting the first two rounds. 

The Australian Team has now settled in Italy before heading to Emmen for the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships from September 12-15. 

“I love training in this area and feel very much at home here,” said Cooke, who has used the area as a training base for the last few years. “It’s great because I don’t have to worry about getting over jet lag for Worlds in the Netherlands. 

“It’s amazing to think that the Paralympics are only just over a year away. But first stop is Worlds and it will be tough. 

“There are a number of women who weren’t in Canada so anything can happen! I’ll just continue to do what I’ve done this year...have fun and do the best I can on the day."

The 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season wraps up in Baie-Comeau, Canada, August 8-11. 

The Australian Team netted twelve medals at each of the the first two rounds in Belgium and Italy in May.

The Australians in action in Canada includes Carol Cooke (T2) and Paige Greco (C3) who boast the World Cup leader's jersey, plus Darren Hicks (C2), Stuart Tripp (H5) and Grant Allen (H4). 
​

• WATCH LIVE at paracyclismebaiecomeau.com 
• RESULTS via uci.org/para-cycling/events

Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the 14 athletes selected to the Australian Team for the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships to be held from 12-15 September in Emmen, the Netherlands.

It has been a stellar opening to the 2019 international season for Australian para-cyclists with a 24-medal haul, including eight gold, captured across the first two rounds of the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season in May.

Seven-time world champion Carol Cooke (VIC), reigning world champion Emilie Miller (NSW), and newcomer Paige Greco (SA) have been selected following their superb start to 2019 which sees them wearing the World Cup leader's jerseys in their respective categories.

2019 world champion on the track Emily Petricola (VIC) receives her first road team selection, with 2018 Road World Championship medallists Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC), Hannah Macdougall (VIC) and Meg Lemon (SA) also selected.

Reigning road champion Alistair Donohoe (VIC), dual Paralympic champion David Nicholas (QLD) and Darren Hicks (SA) will all be eager to add a road world title to the rainbow jerseys claimed at the 2019 Track World Championships in March.

The Australian Team will contest the third round of the World Cup in Canada in August ahead of September's World Championships.

Offering valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the Championships will see the Australian Team vie against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries in the road races and time trials.

Australian Team

• Alex Welsh (VIC) H3
• Emilie Miller (NSW) H1
• Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5
• Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC) C1
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2
• Paige Greco (SA) C3
• David Nicholas (QLD) C3
• Emily Petricola (VIC) C4
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4
• Hannah Macdougall (VIC) C4
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5
• Carol Cooke (VIC) T2
• Stuart Jones (NSW) T2
• Gabrielle Vassallo* (NSW) T1

​* Selection dependent upon further medical signoff

The Australian team continued its superb start to the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season with a twelve medal haul in Belgium's second round, equalling the team's opening round performance in Italy. 

In another stellar display, the team netted six gold for the round with Carol Cooke (T2) and Emilie Miller (H1) winning dual gold and the World Cup leader's jerseys in their respective categories.

"I'm extremely proud of my start to the international season here in Ostend. I am incredibly humbled and surprised to receive the World Cup leaders jersey, and two golds tops off a great week," said the dual reigning world champion Miller.

"I am pleased with the execution of my technical skills throughout the time trial, which has been a major focus for this early part of the season, and my road race was my best result for this competition and my best ever road race performance.

"I believe I exceeded where we thought I would be at in this early part of the year and it's great to see I'm just building on the form I found at the 2018 World Champs.

"A massive thanks to all the Australian Cycling Team staff and my home coaches who make the magic happen."

"I came into this season with no expectations, really wanting to have fun racing and just do the best that I could. It is such an important year for us to gain points for Tokyo so I’m happy to have been able to do my part," said Cooke, the 2018 T2 World Cup champion, who claimed dual silver in last week's opening round in Italy.

"I always knew it would be difficult in Italy due to the climbing involved and my German competitor, Jana, being an amazing climber. So I was just happy to come away with the two silvers.

"In round two in Belgium, I knew it was a good time trial course for me and I’m happy racing in the wind. The road race was probably one of the best our category has ever had, everyone picking it up a year out from Paralympic Games. With four of us sprinting to the line I just had to dig deep and go for it."

Paige Greco (C3), who claimed dual gold in the opening round of the World Cup in Italy, added a third gold to her haul with victory in the time trial, while Darren Hicks won the C2 race against the clock. 

Greco also claimed bronze in the road race which secured her the World Cup leader's jersey. Hannah MacDougall (C4) claimed road race silver. 

In other time trial results, Stuart Tripp (MH5) claimed silver, while a heroic effort from Stuart Jones (MT2) saw him win bronze after breaking his collarbone in a mid-race crash.

Emily Petricola (C4) won her maiden World Cup road medal with time trial silver, while Meg Lemon (C4) shared the podium after winning bronze.  

The Australian Team for September's 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will be announced by Cycling Australia on June 5. 

The third round of the World Cup will be held in Baie-Comeau, Canada, in August. 

Results 

• Results votrecourse.com
• Series Info uci.org

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

• Kyle Bridgwood (QLD) C4 - Bronze time trial, 12th road race
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4 - Bronze time trial; 4th road race  
• Hannah Macdougall (VIC) C4  - Silver road race & time trial
• David Nicholas (QLD) C3 - 5th road race; 6th time trial
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2 - Bronze road race; 4th time trial
• Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC) C1 - Silver road race & time trial
• Stuart Jones (NSW) T2 - 9th time trial
• Carol Cooke (VIC) T2 - Silver road race & time trial
• Grant Allan (SA) H4 8th road race, 18th time trial
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5 - Gold road race; 4th time trial
• Kieran Murphy & Lachlan Glasspool (SA) Tandem
• Grant Nickel (NSW) H1 10th road race & 10th time trial
• Emilie Miller (NSW) H1 Gold road race & time trial
• Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5 - 5th road race, 5th time trial

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. 

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. 

Michael Matthews (ACT) is celebrating an Oppy ‘triple crown’ after claiming three of the major honours at the 2017 Cycling Australia Awards in Melbourne on Friday.  

Matthews, 27, was awarded the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal & Trophy after being named the 2017 Australian Cyclist of the Year in front of 300 of Australian cycling’s elite.

In addition to the Road Cyclist of the Year award, the popular Canberran was also voted the 2017 JLT People’s Choice Award winner by thousands of Australian cycling fans. 

“It is a huge honour in Australia to win the Oppy, it is something I have been dreaming about since I became a cyclist,” Matthews told Cycling Australia from his home in Monaco. “It is an unreal feeling (to win all three), I didn’t think it would happen so soon, but it is a reminder for me that it was a big year for me and Australian cycling. 

“It means a lot that I can be among other excellent Australian cyclists who have won this award.”

In 2017, Matthews became just the third Australian to win the Tour de France green jersey, scorching to the sprinting honour with two stages wins.  

At the Road World Championships, Matthews claimed the team time trial world title for Team Sunweb before winning road race bronze a few days later in the green and gold for the Australian Cycling Team. 

“I started the season with mixed feelings as I went into a new team and you never know how fast will you adapt,” said Matthews of his debut in the black and white of the German professional team which saw him finish ninth on the UCI end of year rankings.  “But I feel so comfortable in my team which reflects on my results too.

“Unfortunately, the rainbow jersey didn't work out for me but I will keep fighting for it.” 

It is the first Oppy Medal for Matthews who began cycling as a teenager with the Tuggeranong Vikings Cycling Club after his cycling talents were recognised at school. 

“Thank you to Cycling Australia and the whole cycling community in Australia to making sure our sport is well promoted and supporting young talents as I was, as without their support I would never be professional cyclist,” said Matthews, who was quick to thank the support of his family and friends. 

“To my coach Brian Stephens, my team and my wife. They put great amounts of efforts into fulfilling my dreams and I am so thankful for that. 

“And to all my fans which stay with me no matter if they are good or bad results, they are always there to support me. 

“It’s not the easiest sport, and it sometimes has more downs than ups, but its something I love doing and seeing appreciation from Australia makes it so worth it.”

Katrin Garfoot (Gold Coast CC/QLD) won her third straight female Road Cyclist of the Year award after becoming just the second Australian female cyclist to win World Championships medals in the time trial and road race in the same year. The Gold Coast Cycling Club member, riding for Orica-Scott, also claimed both the road and time trial national crowns.

The Track Cyclists of the Year awards went to Cameron Meyer (Midland CC/WA) and Stephanie Morton (South Coast CC/SA).

Meyer took his career world title tally to eight after winning the team pursuit and points race crowns at the World Championships, in addition to the Madison silver. Meyer also added three national titles and World Cup gold and silver to secure a fourth career award.

It was a breakthrough international season for Morton who claimed her maiden World Championship medals in 2017 with silver in both the sprint and team sprint.  Morton also won two national titles (sprint and team sprint) and set the fastest flying 200m time ever seen in Australia.

It was a glittering year from para-cyclist David Nicholas C3 (Mackay CC/QLD) who won the individual pursuit world title and a swag of medals including World Championship silver and bronze, Road World Cup gold and four national titles.  

Nicholas was named the male Para-cyclist of the Year for a second time, while Carol Cooke T2 (St Kilda CC) rode to a third women’s award after claiming the time trial and road race world titles, three World Cup gold and two national titles on the road.

Caroline Buchanan (ACT) is celebrating a sixth straight BMX award after collecting World Championship silver, the national title and a win at the USA BMX Gator Nationals in 2017. 

In the men’s BMX category, Australia welcomed a new BMX cyclist of the Year in Logan Martin (QLD) who was crowned the inaugural world champion in BMX Freestyle with a blazing run at the inaugural World Championships in China.

Queensland’s first siblings of mountain biking celebrated their first win in the category, with Michael Hannah grabbing World Championships silver, while sister Tracey Hannah claimed her first World Cup victory in five years and found the podium with bronze at the World Championships.

Carol Cooke T2 (St Kilda CC) and David Nicholas C3 (Mackay CC/QLD) have been crowned 2017 Australian Para-cyclists of the Year. 

It was a glittering year from para-cyclist Nicholas C3  who won the individual pursuit world title and a swag of medals including World Championship silver and bronze, Road World Cup gold and four national titles on the track and road.  

Cooke riding to a third women’s award after claiming the time trial and road race World Championships, three World Cup gold and two national titles on the road.

The Gary West Coach of the Year went to Nicholas Flyger (SA) who, during an emotional season which saw him take over the reigns from the late West, was instrumental in guiding Morton to her first World Championship sprint medal (silver) and the women's team sprint duo (Morton & McCulloch) to silver.

The Norm Gailey Trophy for Champion State went to New South Wales, while the Gold Coast Cycling Club won its maiden Australian Club Premiership.