All News - Australian Cycling Team

TRACK | Tokyo Olympic Stars final ride in Adelaide before Brisbane team camp

2/6/2021

Photo AusCycling - Ashlee Ankudinoff, Annette Edmondson, Maeve Plouffe Georgia Baker and Alex Manly.

Australia's Women's Track Endurance squad will contest one final race in Adelaide this Friday night before heading to Brisbane to finalise preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games!

Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson, Alex Manly and Maeve Plouffe, who will line up for the Australian Olympic Team on the track at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August, will take to the boards in the Adelaide Track League on Friday night at 6.30pm.

The quintet will contest the Scratch Race in the middle of the program and then contest the headliner of the night – the Eliminator (a modified Elimination race) - as their final race in Adelaide, the home of the Australian Cycling Team Headquarters.

After the race, the men's and women's endurance squads will pack their bags and head to Brisbane where they will join the sprint squad for the final preparations before departing Australian shores for Japan in mid July.

WHAT'S ON

The headline race at this week’s Adelaide Track League will be The Eliminator, a modified Elimination race, and a monster Elite Women’s field including the full Australian Olympic Track Endurance squad!

There will be a Men’s and Women’s Madison featuring the ACT Academy squads and interstate state institute riders at the head of the night, with Junior and Sprint racing peppered through the program in between the Elites!

TICKETS

If you’re local to Adelaide, head on over to AdelaideTrackLeague.com to get your tickets for this Friday night’s racing.

Tickets to all this are just $10, with kids under 15 getting in free! You can book both paid and free tickets over at https://adelaidetrackleague.com.

LIVE STREAM

If you can’t make it to Adelaide, never fear! Adelaide Track League’s Facebook page will play host to a livestream of the whole night’s action for free, no subscription required. Head on over and like the page so you get notified of the livestream going up!

LINKS

Website: https://adelaidetrackleague.com
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3eJsgEw
Facebook (livestream): https://www.facebook.com/adelaidetrackleague

ROAD | Success at Santos Festival of Cycling

25/1/2021

Georgia Baker takes Stage 4 | Photo - Sarah Reed

Australian Cycling Team athletes celebrated at the Santos Festival of Cycling Tour, the opening event on the 2021 National Road Series.

Watch Santos Festival of Cycling on 7Plus | Results Recap the results via TDU

Women's Recap

Gigante claimed an incredible and fully deserved overall Santos Festival of Cycling Tour victory with the 20-year-old's GC lead never in any doubt during the final-stage criterium raced in 41-degree temperatures in Adelaide.

“What a perfect week it really was,’’ Gigante said after back-to-back-stage wins set her up to propel her atop of the podium during Santos Festival of Cycling. “I’m not the best crit (criterium) rider but I wanted to repay them (my teammates) back for all the work they have done all week.

Gigante was fifth in the opening stage before launching to a GC lead of more than two minutes following a dominant solo victory on Stage 2.

Gigante again stole the show in Stage 3 with a second solo stage victory, more than one minute ahead of Lucy Kennedy.

On the final stage of the, Gigante took on the role of domestique for the day, making way for Garmin Team Australia teammate Georgia Baker to take the win.

Lucy Kennedy was second overall on GC and Podium Potential Academy member Ruby Roseman-Gannon was third.

WOMEN'S GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Sarah Gigante (AUS) 7h02:01
2. Lucy Kennedy (GEC) +3:12
3. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (ARA) +3:13

Men's Recap

Richie Porte, Sam Welsford and Luke Plapp claimed stage wins as Luke Durbridge’s secured the overall Tour GC honours.

Reigning Australian criterium champion Welsford won the final stage held in sweltering conditions.

“Pretty solid for the last couple of laps and teammate Richie (Porte) went to the front and pulled one big turn,’’ Welsford said. “That last straight was a drag race, we had one shot at it and that was it. To see Richie pulling for me at the front I never expected that."

Rising star Plapp won Stage 2, before finishing second Porte on the infamous Willunga Stage. Plapp finished the Tour second on GC and took home the Tour's Young Rider's classification.

MEN'S GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Luke Durbridge (BEX) 8h10:59
2. Luke Plapp (AUS) +2:00
3. Chris Harper (CTV) +2:31

PHOTOS CREDIT

@sarahreedphotos & @chameleonphotos

ROAD | Team Garmin-Australia for 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling

13/1/2021

Team Garmin-Australia has joined with AusCycling in announcing a new partnership as they join the 120 strong peloton racing in the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling.

Led by World Tour star and INEOS Grenadiers rider, Richie Porte, Team Garmin-Australia will be joined by EF Education-NIPPO's James Whelan and four time track world title holder, Sam Welsford, among others.

“The quality of both the men’s and women’s teams is testament to the passion each of these riders have for racing and starting the 2021 season at the Santos Festival of Cycling,” said Stuart O’Grady, Men’s Race Director.

“We’re really excited that Team Garmin-Australia have committed to racing at this year’s Santos Festival of Cycling and are looking forward to them bringing their experience and energy to the race.”

The six-member women’s outfit is highlighted by leader and triple world champion Annette Edmondson, with rising stars Maeve Plouffe, Georgia Baker and Trek Segafredo’s Lauretta Hanson.

“We are eager to showcase the quality of racing in Australia with both the men’s and women’s teams, but I’m particularly excited by the strength, skill and experience of the Women’s team,” said Kimberley Conte, Women’s Race Director.

“To bring in this quality of athlete and some of our future cycling stars is legacy to the Santos Tour Down Under.”

Team Garmin-Australia will join the teams lining up for the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling with a field comprised of National Road Series, Continental and World Tour riders.

“The quality of teams and of the cyclists racing in this year’s event will really put Australian cycling on the map for passionate fans and cycling and sporting enthusiasts,” adds Event Manager, Ryan Healy.

“We are bringing some of the best WorldTour riders and of course the up-and-coming champions to race. Fans will have the opportunity to watch great racing, but to also watch our future champions in the making.”

Team Garmin-Australia’s participation will offer the race a dynamic element that incorporates riders from the World Tour stage, Commonwealth and Olympic Games and World Champion excellence. The combination of athletic prowess within Team Garmin-Australia is certainly a nod to the multi-faceted nature of the 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling.

Team Garmin-Australia: 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling

MEN’S

Richie Porte - AUS
Sam Welsford - AUS
Kelland O’Brien - AUS
Leigh Howard - AUS
Luke Plapp - AUS
Alex Porter - AUS
James Whelan - AUS

WOMEN’S

Maeve Plouffe - AUS
Annette Edmonson - AUS
Georgia Baker - AUS
Ashlee Ankudinoff - AUS
Sarah Gigante - AUS
Lauretta Hanson – AUS
Neve Bradbury - AUS

More at https://tourdownunder.com.au/2021-event

Ride & Challenge the Australian Cycling Team on Fulgaz

1/5/2020

Ever wanted to train with the Australian Cycling Team?

Well now you can thanks to a training and racing series brought to you by Cycling Australia (CA) and FulGaz.

Every Friday, an exclusively coached workout from Australian Cycling Team athletes will be released which will allow participants to be lead through some of the favourite courses of these athletes.

For some courses, CA members will also be able to challenge themselves against these world champion and Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

SCHEDULE

Release Date	Course	Athlete
Friday 10 April	Centennial Park	Brodie Chapman
Friday 17 April	Kinglake FTP Test	Luke Plapp
Friday 24 April	Corkscrew Rd	Georgia Baker
Friday 1 May	Arthur's Seat	Darren Hicks: 1 Leg Challenge
Friday 8 May	Beachmont Road	Lucy Kennedy
Friday 15 May	1 in 20	Kell O’Brien
Friday 22 May	Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosber	Amy Cure
Friday 29 May	TBC	Meg Lemon
Friday 5 June	Stirling Loop	Leigh Howard
Friday 12 June	Outdoor Track	Maeve Plouffe
Friday 19 June	World Para TT Challenge A & B	A - Alistair Donohoe & Emily Petricola B - David Nicholas and Paige Greco

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

These rides and challenges are member-exclusive offers for CA Members and can be found in the ‘Cycling Australia‘ folder in the FulGaz app.

To access this member-only app, find the promo code via the member benefits portal, and enter it here on FulGaz when you're logged in.

FULGAZ BENEFITS TO CA MEMBERS

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

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

ABOUT FULGAZ

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

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

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

TRACK | Tokyo strategy on target

29/2/2020

Less than twenty four hours after finishing outside of the medals in the team pursuit, Australia’s charge at Olympic gold in Tokyo continued in Germany with Alex Porter and Luke Plapp delivering personal bests in the 1000m time trial and individual pursuit finals. The non-Olympics events were used to help simulate the Tokyo racing schedule, and prepare them for August.

In the women’s omnium, a knee injury sustained after a crash in the elimination race cruelly ended Georgia Baker’s run at the podium.

Men’s Time Trial / Individual Pursuit

After finishing outside of the medals yesterday in the team pursuit, Australia's focus on delivering Olympic gold continued through the punishing 1000m time trial and 4km individual pursuit events.

Despite both events not being on the Olympic programme, Australia used the racing opportunity to simulate the sensations of competing across three consecutive days with the men's team pursuit to be contested across the same duration at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

"The whole process of today was to get up like it was the last day of the Olympics, do a pre-start in the morning, come out to the track, get in that headspace of full gas and execute it on the track," said Alex Porter, who bolted from the gates to cover the four-lap time trial in a personal best time (1:00.960).

"After last night's TP final, I was unsure how I would back up this morning, but on the rollers this morning I felt better than I did yesterday. So to go out and ride a four-second PB [personal best] in a kilo after having raced three team pursuits over two days, it has given me a huge boost of confidence."

Reigning world champions Australia finished fourth in the team pursuit held across the first two days of the Championships. The team narrowly missed the medal rounds and were surprisingly overlapped in the bronze medal final by Italy.

"In the final, we thought we would throw caution to the wind and go full gas and see how it would go, but it ended up hurting us in the back end," said Porter, who fell off the pace in the final few laps of the final. "But that happens, we went out there trying something different, and we are disappointed for sure. We came for our last hit out before the games wanting to put the right foot forward.

"But at the end of the day, as much as it is nice to win a world title, we weren't here to peak for Worlds, or win Worlds.

"The main goal is to win an Olympic gold medal, and this is a stepping stone towards that."

Denmark set a new benchmark in the event after shattering the world record three times, ultimately posting a stunning 3mins 44.672secs. Despite having nearly four seconds shaved off their 2019 world record this week, Porter and the Australian team remain committed to the ultimate target, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

"We have now gone from being the hunted to hunting," Porter said. "We've known it was coming for a long time, everyone has been going fast, and I am glad it has happened here.

"The feeling we all have now, none of us like it. We have taken a hit, but the real sign of a champion is how you get back up in the next fight.

"And as I said to Glenn [O'Shea] on the start line, my 3:42 TP training starts now. That's it, that is the goal now. I personally and all the boys believe it can happen."

Like Porter, Luke Plapp lined up in all three team pursuit rounds on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday the nineteen-year-old fronted for the individual race against the clock.

"To ride a PB given the last few days of racing, you can't be disappointed with that," said Plapp who recorded a personal best time (4:18.520) on his way to finishing thirteenth. "I'll be honest. I woke up this morning and felt like I had been hit by a truck, the legs were pretty buckled, but it was good to go through the process and be able to switch off and on."

Plapp came into the team on the eve of the Championships after Kelland O'Brien - a member of Australia's 2019 world champion and world-record-setting outfit - was unable to recover in time after breaking his collarbone in January. The opportunity of riding his maiden World Championships was not lost on the teenager.

"Everything happens for a reason," said Plapp. "Kell will come back so much hungrier for having missed these Championships, and he will come back so much more determined for Tokyo.

"We all will. There are some easy things to fix that will get us where we want to be. The little things just had a domino effect, so once we fix those, everything falls into place.

"I think that what has happened here is a blessing in disguise and we will turn it around for Tokyo."

The individual pursuit World Championship was won by Italy’s Filippo Ganna. He secured the title against Lambie Ashton (USA) after he posted a world record time of 4mins 01.934secs in qualifying.

Cameron Scott (1:01.057) finished fifteenth overall in the time trial which was won by Sam Ligtlee of the Netherlands.

Women’s Omnium

In the women’s omnium, a knee injury sustained after a crash in the elimination race cruelly ended Georgia Baker’s run at the podium.

In the omnium’s opening event, the scratch race, Baker avoided a crash which brought down five riders on the penultimate lap. After finishing eighth, she moved into the top ten after grabbing eleventh in an animated tempo race.

Baker looked strong late in the elimination race before being unable to avoid a rider falling in front of her. The race was neutralised, and Baker impressively rejoined the race before being the sixth-last rider eliminated two laps later.

The sixth-place finish in the elimination race shot her into sixth overall and into medal contention with only the points race to come.

However, with her knee taking much of the impact in the crash, Baker was unable to keep pace in a hectic points race. After losing twenty points halfway through the race after being lapped by the field, Baker fell out of the top ten before gallantly finishing the event in fourteenth overall.

The title was taken out by Japan’s Yumi Kajihara, who finished with 121 points, 12 points clear of Italian Letizia Paternoster.

TRACK | Baker & Australia boast all the right ingredients

25/2/2020

Australia’s women’s endurance squad boasts incredible depth, experience, and proven success across all levels with multiple world champions such as Annette Edmondson, Amy Cure, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker and Alexandra Manly.

At the 2020 World Championships in Berlin, the stellar squad will be joined by 20-year-old debutant Maeve Plouffe who comes to the team from the Podium Potential Academy ranks.

The squad heads into the Championships as the defending world champions in three events, team pursuit, individual pursuit and points race. However, the World Championships will offer more than just rainbows in 2020 as it is the final opportunity for the world’s best to refine and rehearse ahead of August’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“In every other year, the World Championships is the focus, it is the key priority for us,” Tasmania’s Baker explained. “But this year is a special year being an Olympic year, so it provides an opportunity to trial some different things.

“We are making sure that we have everything right for Tokyo, while still having our eye on the prize here too."

In the team pursuit. Australia enters the Championships as the reigning world champions after Baker, Edmondson, Ankudinoff, Cure and Manly soared to the world title one year ago in Poland.

In 2020, Australia’s team pursuit outfit will feature Baker, Edmondson, Ankudinoff, Cure plus debutant Plouffe across the two-day, three-round event which opens the Championships on Wednesday morning.

The squad has enjoyed success this summer with silver and gold during the World Cup season, during which they unveiled a new strategy which involves the front riders making their turn in the straight, rather than the traditional bend change.

“As we go from different tracks, we have to make some adjustments the last two track sessions have been focusing we get our swings right, to make sure that we nail them,” said Baker. “It has been going really well in training and we are used to that swing now.

Four years ago, the then 21-year-old Baker finished fourth in the points race and fifth in the team pursuit while on her elite World Championships debut. A few months later she made her Olympic debut in Rio where she rode in all three rounds as Australia finished fifth in the team pursuit.

As she aims for a second Olympic selection and the team strives for Olympic glory, Baker, 25, can see similarities in Plouffe’s path onto the team and is revelling in mentoring her younger teammate where possible.

“Maeve has been a really big breath of fresh air. She definitely deserves the spot to be in our team, she is so strong and I look forward to seeing her debut this week,” said Baker.

“It is funny, I think she is doing exactly the same thing I was doing four years ago. I learned so much from the last Olympics, and I would love to pass on as much as I can to Maeve.

“If we want to have the best result, then every piece of information we have to give to her is really important. She is great with that, she is absorbing everything and taking it all in.”

Baker has excelled over the last twelve months in the Madison, claiming World Championship silver (with Cure) and triple World Cup gold during the recent 2019-20 season (twice with Edmondson twice and once with Manly).

As the Australian team continues to determine the best possible options and combinations for all three endurance events at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Cure and Edmondson have been slated to race the Madison in Berlin.

Baker has been provided with an individual opportunity in the third Olympic event, the four-event omnium, which she will contest on Friday.

“It is a great opportunity for us in Berlin. It is our last chance at a major competition to test everything out before the Olympics,” said Baker. “We want to trial everything we can, to make sure we have the best Madison pairing in Tokyo, and the best team pursuit squad in Tokyo.

“I am super excited to take on the omnium, it will be my first at this level, so I will be taking each event as it comes and I am looking forward to seeing what I can do.”

In the remaining endurance events, Ankudinoff will look to defend her individual pursuit crown with national champion Plouffe also set to ride the individual race against the clock.

Alexandra Manly will line up to defend her title in the points race and will also contest the scratch race.

AUSTRALIAN SCHEDULE

DATE (IN AUS)   TIME (AEDT)

Thurs 27/2: 430am - 8am
W - Scratch 10 km - Alexandra Manly
W Team Pursuit - Qualifying 11pm AEDT

Fri 28/2: 430am - 730am
W - Team Pursuit - Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson, Maeve Plouffe

Sat 29/2: 430am - 815am
W - Omnium - Georgia Baker

Sun 1/3: 230am - 6am
W - Madison 30 km - Annette Edmondson/Amy Cure
W - Individual pursuit - Ashlee Ankudinoff; Maeve Plouffe

Mon 2/3: 12am-3am
W - Points race 25 km - Alexandra Manly

FOLLOW

WATCH

Live on FOXSPORTS Australia Channel 506
https://www.foxtel.com.au/tv-guide/search?q=world%20championships

FOLLOW

#AusCyclingTeam

#Berlin2020

Photos - John Veage, Hikari Media

TRACK | Team Australia Guide for Berlin Track Worlds

20/2/2020

Photo - Hikari Media

The 17-member Australian Team departed Adelaide on Wednesday evening bound for the 2020 UCI Track World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

The five-day Championships, to be held from 26 February - 1 March, offers the world's best a final opportunity to refine and rehearse ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In all, 20 titles will be decided in Berlin, with particular interest on the six Olympic events - Team Pursuit, Madison, Omnium, Team Sprint, Sprint and Keirin.

Photo - Casey Gibson

ENDURANCE

Ashlee Ankudinoff - St George CC, NSW - 2019 individual & team pursuit world champion
Georgia Baker - Northern Districts CC, TAS - 2019 team pursuit world champion
Amy Cure - Mersey Valley Devonport CC, TAS - 2019 team pursuit world champion
Annette Edmondson - Norwood CC, SA - 2019 team pursuit world champion
Alexandra Manly - Central Districts CC, SA - 2019 points race & team pursuit world champion
Maeve Plouffe - Port Adelaide CC, SA - World Championship debut
Leigh Howard - Geelong CC, VIC - 2019 team pursuit world champion
Cameron Meyer - Midland CC, WA - 9-time career world champion
Alexander Porter - Scotch College CC, SA - 2019 team pursuit world champion
Cameron Scott - St George CC, NSW - 2019 team pursuit world champion
Samuel Welsford - Northern Beaches CC, WA - 2019 scratch & team pursuit world champion
Luke Plapp - Brunswick CC, VIC - World Championship debut

Australia heads into the Championships as the defending champions in five events - men's and women's team pursuit; men's scratch, women's points race and women's individual pursuit.

Australia's title defence in the men's team pursuit will begin in the opening session and will feature world record holders Sam Welsford, Alexander Porter, Leigh Howard, plus Cameron Scott.

Podium Potential Academy member Luke Plapp comes into the team to replace world champion and world record holder Kelland O'Brien who will not race the World Championships as he continues his recovery from a broken collarbone sustained in January. Plapp, a dual 2018 junior world champion, will make his elite Worlds debut in the individual pursuit and is listed as a reserve for the team pursuit.

Nine-time career world champion Cameron Meyer will take on the omnium, and the Madison with Sam Welsford, while Welsford will take to the track in defence of his scratch race world title.

Photo - Hikari Media

Reigning women's world champions Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson will team with World Championship debutant Maeve Plouffe in the team pursuit.

Ankudinoff will look to defend her individual pursuit crown with Plouffe also set to ride the individual race against the clock. Alexandra Manly will line up to defend her title in the points race and will also contest the scratch race.

Edmondson and Amy Cure will pair up for the Madison, while Baker will tackle the omnium.

Photo - Casey Gibson

SPRINT

Stephanie Morton - South Coast CC, SA - 2019 team sprint world champion
Kaarle McCulloch - St George CC, NSW - 2019 team sprint world champion
Nathan Hart - ANU CC, ACT - 2018-19 Track World Cup gold medallist
Matthew Richardson - Midland CC, WA
Thomas Cornish - Southern Cross CC, NSW - World Championship debut

Reigning world champions Stephanie Morton and Kaarle McCulloch begin their team sprint title defence on Wednesday's opening day of competition. Triple World Championship sprint silver medalist Morton will also race the individual sprint and keirin.

McCulloch, a triple medallist in 2019, will take on three events; the team sprint, individual sprint and 500m time trial.

2018 sprint world champion Matthew Glaetzer is a late withdrawal from the Championships after sustaining a leg injury at training last week. With his 2020 focus on a third Olympic Games selection, Glaetzer, who was slated to ride the team and individual sprint plus the keirin, will remain in Australia to focus on his recovery.

Podium Potential Academy member Thomas Cornish will replace Glaetzer for the team sprint, scheduled for the opening day of competition, where he will team with Nathan Hart and Matthew Richardson.

Hart and Richardson will also contest the sprint, while Cameron Scott and Alexander Porter will line up in the 1000m time trial.

Photo - Hikari Media

SCHEDULE - DATE (IN AUS); TIME (AEDT)

Thurs 27/2 430am - 8am

W - Scratch 10km Alexandra Manly
W - Team Sprint Stephanie Morton/Kaarle McCulloch
M - Team Sprint Nathan Hart, Matthew Richardson, Thomas Cornish
M & W Team Pursuit Qualifying 11pm AEDT

Fri 28/2 430am - 730am

M - Team Pursuit Leigh Howard, Sam Welsford, Cameron Scott, Alexander Porter
M - Scratch 15km Sam Welsford
M - Keirin NA
W - Team Pursuit Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson, Maeve Plouffe
W - Sprint Qualifying 1230am

Sat 29/2 430am - 815am

M - Points race 40km TBC
M - Kilometre Time Trial Cameron Scott, Alexander Porter
M - Individual Pursuit Luke Plapp
W - Omnium Georgia Baker
W - Sprint Stephanie Morton; Kaarle McCulloch

Sun 1/3 230am - 6am

W - 500m Time Trial Kaarle McCulloch
W - Madison 30km Annette Edmondson/Amy Cure
W - Individual pursuit Ashlee Ankudinoff; Maeve Plouffe
M - Omnium Cameron Meyer
M - Sprint Qualifying 9pm

Mon 2/3 12am-3am

W - Points Race 25km Alexandra Manly
M - Madison 50km Cameron Meyer/Sam Welsford
W - Keirin Stephanie Morton
M - Sprint Nathan Hart, Matthew Richardson

WATCH

Live on FOXSPORTS Australia Channel 506

FOLLOW

#AusCyclingTeam

#Berlin2020

TRACK | Madison gold for Baker & Edmondson

15/12/2019

Edmondson & Baker celebrate gold - Photo John Veage

A dominant Australian gold medal in the women’s Madison highlighted the second day of the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Women’s Madison

Georgia Baker and Annette Edmondson secured Australia’s only gold medal of the night with a powerful performance in the women’s Madison, beating their French rivals by 12 points.

The pair won four out of the first six sprints to build an early lead, as the French duo of Clara Copponi and Marie Le Net did their best to catch the Australian pair.

Baker who won silver in the Madison at the world championships earlier this year, as well as gold at last week’s Cambridge World Cup was thrilled with the result.

“We’re really lucky in the Australian Cycling Team because we have so much depth in our program so we can swap partners and still come away with really good results,” Said Baker.

“Nettie and I had a successful campaign in Glasgow and that was a very sprint dominant race so we wanted to try something different here, it’s nerve-racking going out there and trying something new but it’s also really exciting and I think we have done the training to back ourselves in and pull off a good result no matter what happens.”

“It was pretty cool out there, we had to dig deep, we tried a couple of different tactics from last Friday and Glasgow and we’re really happy we pulled it off,” said Edmondson after the win.

“I think in the past we were quite new to this discipline so whenever we got on the front we were like ‘oh my gosh we’re in front let’s go’ and we’d win by too much if we happened to win it or we’d be out the back so we wanted to try and make it a bit more consistent.” She added.

Despite the best efforts of the French team, Baker and Edmondson maintained the lead for almost the entire race. Both Australia and France lapped the field to stay clear of the United States who finished on 32 points to claim the bronze.

Glaetzer - Photo John Veage

Men’s Keirin

An unbelievable finish to the men’s keirin final was one of the highlights of the night with Colombian young gun Kevin Santiago Quintero Chavarro powering past Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer on the home straight to claim the narrowest victory and his maiden World Cup win.

Chavarro finished third in his first round before winning the repechage round and just scraping into the final with a third-place finish in the second round.

Glaetzer topped his first-round heat with an exceptional ride and then flew by the competition with a come from behind victory in the second round, unfortunately, he did not have the legs to hold off Chavarro on the final sprint to the line in the final.

“It was very busy, no one really wanted the front, I got caught up on the wheels and didn’t have a smooth run but I was close enough to home to give it a good shot and put myself in the race,” said Glaetzer.

“I was in a strong position to win and unfortunately just towed the Colombian around and gave him a good sit but I gave it everything I had and I’m happy with how I’m racing this week and today with the keirin so I’ll see how much I have left in the tank for the sprint tomorrow.”

Glaetzer improved on his keirin bronze from last weeks World Cup just a couple of weeks after having surgery for thyroid cancer.

“Today I was feeling fine, each race felt good, but tomorrow will be a test for me to see how I qualify for the sprint and how much gas I’ve got in the rounds so hopefully I get back up better than I did last week and have a good fight in the sprint.” Said Glaetzer.

Tomas Babek (Czech Republic) rounded out the podium with a third-place finish.

Morton v Lee - Photo John Veage

Women’s Sprint

In the women’s sprint, reigning world champion Wai Sze Lee was too strong for South Australia’s Stephanie Morton as she claimed the gold medal in straight rounds.

Lee was dominant all day after topping qualifying with a time of 10.387 edging close to the world record and achieving a personal best. Lee got through to the quarterfinals with no issues, never dropping around on her way to the gold medal race against Morton.

“Today I tried my best, I had a personal best on this track as it’s really fast and also I felt really good. I saw Anna Meares today also, and it brought back many memories of races with her. So today was very nice because I won a medal,” said Lee.

“I don’t really mind where I race, I am really pleased that there were many Hong Kong people here to support me.”

Unfortunately, it was an all too familiar result for Morton, who finished second to Lee at the World Championships earlier this year.

Morton finished second in qualifying (10.525), before winning her first-round heat to set up a quarter-final against teammate Kaarle McCulloch. She won every heat until the final race against Lee.

“It was actually really good out there with really good vibes. Going out and doing my 200, every time I went past the fence people were cheering ‘Go Steph, Go Steph’!” said Morton.

“Lee is a fierce competitor, she’s very fast. So I wanted to go out there and see if we could learn something new, and try to execute what I need to try and execute. We don’t have many more dress rehearsals before Tokyo and I am really happy with how I rode today, especially against Wai Sze Lee, it’s money in the bank as we head toward Tokyo.

“The sprint day is a big day, by the time you get to the finals it’s a bit tiring but I was really happy all day with how I executed my races. When you’re executing races well and you don’t have the legs, that’s all you can ask for, because when you have the legs later on you’ll get up for the win.”

Anastasiia Voinova (Russian Federation) defeated Colombia’s Pineda Bayona in straight rounds to take home the bronze medal.

Men’s Omnium

The men’s omnium was won by New Zealand’s Aaron Gate who finished on 134 points, 18 points clear of Germany’s Roger Kluge. Kluge performed consistently and ended the event with the silver medal.

Gate started off with a second-place finish in the scratch race behind Eiya Hashimoto (Team Bridgestone Cycling) who finished with 113 points to claim the omnium bronze medal.

Gate went on to win the tempo race while Hashimoto took second as the pair battled it out for the overall lead early on. Gate gave a dominant performance in the points race to claim the omnium gold despite a 12th place finish in the elimination race.

Cameron Meyer (Australia) had a second-place finish in the elimination race and the points race however he only managed to move up to fifth place in the overall standings.

TRACK | Women's team strike pursuit gold in Brisbane

13/12/2019

Annette Edmondson, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Maeve Plouffe, Georgia Baker, Alexandra Manly. Photo John Veage

Double team pursuit gold medals for Australia highlighted the opening day of the 2019-2020 TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup on Friday at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.

Reigning world champions Georgia Baker, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Annette Edmondson, Alexandra Manly, plus Podium Potential Academy member Maeve Plouffe, guided Australia to gold in the women’s event. In the men’s, world champions Sam Welsford, Leigh Howard, Kelland O’Brien, Alexander Porter plus Podium Potential Academy member Luke Plapp secured Australia’s second gold.

In the women’s team pursuit, little separated Australia and New Zealand in qualifying with the all-black skinsuits quartet of Holly Edmondston, Bryony Botha, Michaela Drummond and Racquel Sheath setting the fastest time (4:16.573), just two-tenths ahead of Australia’s Baker, Ankudinoff, Manly and Plouffe.

With Edmondson replacing Ankudinoff for their first-round matchup against the United States, the team booked their place in the gold medal final (4:12.889) with a scorching ride was just half a second outside their national record set at last week’s World Cup.

Ankudinoff returned for Manly in an enthralling final with the Australians stopping the clock at 4mins 13.237secs to take the gold medal by three-tenths of a second over their Trans-Tasman rivals (4:13.553).

The result evened the ledger between the two teams after the Australians took silver behind New Zealand at last week’s Cambridge World Cup.

“We don’t get the opportunity to race in front of a home crowd, especially at a World Cup, so we wanted to go out firing and win gold,” said Edmondson.

“I think we are heading in the right direction, and we have been working pretty hard behind the scenes, we wanted to do some fast times here in Brisbane, we have ticked some boxes, and will use it as inspiration to keep the momentum for the Olympics.

“Maeve is only 20 years old and has a lot of power behind her considering she is so young. She has only been in training with us for the last month so to be able to ride three strong rides today and also a couple of rides over in New Zealand last week is promising.

“We also have Amy Cure at home, so we know that we have the numbers here and it is very exciting moving forward.”

In another race of rivalries, Canada (4:17.509) defeated the United States (4:21.540) for bronze.

Photo John Veage

TRACK | Australia win World Cup nation honours in Round 4

9/12/2019

Guy Swarbrick

The Australian Team was recognised by standing atop the podium as World Cup round winners at the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Cambridge, New Zealand.

The Team netted silver and bronze medals on the final day of competition to take its haul to eight medals, including one gold, four silver and three bronze.

The Team now flies straight to Brisbane for Round Five of the 2019-2020 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup Brisbane to be held at the Anna Meares Velodrome from 13-15 December.

Men's Madison

Kelland O'Brien and Cameron Meyer secured Australia's first medal of the final day, claiming silver in the men's madison behind the impressive New Zealand combination of Aaron Gate and Campbell Stewart.

The Aussies finished on 87pts in the 50km race, 42 behind the Kiwis, but 30 clear of bronze medallists Italy (Michele Scartezzini and Francesco Lamon).

O'Brien and Meyer gained three laps on the field, one fewer than New Zealand, and weren't able to score as regular in the sprints as Gate and Stewart, who gained points in all but six.

"To finish on the podium is good and to a strong Kiwi team there's nothing wrong with a silver medal," Meyer said.

"It's early in the season for me, getting back on the track, learning some of the new guys and feeling what it's all about with them out there and seeing what they've got.

"We'll move forward from here to a home track next week, and maybe we can step up one level next week."

It was the second silver of the event for both riders, with O'Brien having finished second in the team pursuit on the opening night, while Meyer took the second step on the omnium podium behind Stewart.

Steph Morton - Photo Guy Swarbrick

Women's keirin

Stephanie Morton added a keirin bronze to her sprint silver at her first major meet since having knee surgery.

The team sprint world champion held on for third in the keirin medal race, behind gold medallist Hyejin Lee of South Korea and Canada's Lauriane Genest.

"I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this week," Morton said. "First real big race back since the op and I'm pleased with where I've landed, really happy with the progression and looking forward to Brisbane."

Morton won her opening round heat and finished third in her semi-final to secure a place in the medal race.

Men's sprint

Nathan Hart, the World Cup gold medallist on this Cambridge track last January, took fourth place in the men's sprint this round.

He was beaten in two straight races by Japan's Yudai Nitta in the bronze medal ride after being edged by NItta's teammate Tomohiro Fukaya in the semi-finals.

Hart qualified third fastest in 9.613secs with top qualifier Mateusz Rudyk of Poland going on to win gold, with Fukaya claiming silver.

2018 world champion Matthew Glaetzer earlier lost in the second round after sneaking through to the last 16 by the slimmest of margins.

Glaetzer was judged the winner of his first-round heat against Frenchman Rayan Helal, after being deemed a dead heat to three decimal places.

Nathan Hart - Photo Guy Swarbrick

Women's omnium

Team pursuit world champion Georgia Baker finished ninth in the women's omnium, after not being able to recover from an early setback in the opening event.

Baker was relegated from fifth to 19th in the scratch race after being deemed to have deliberately ridden on the blue band.

She bounced back by finishing fourth in the tempo and winning the elimination race but had too much ground to make up in the deciding points race.

TRACK | Baker & Manly grab Madison gold; Glaetzer's amazing bronze

8/12/2019

Manly & Baker Madison Gold | Photo - Guy Swarbrick

One gold, one silver and two bronze medals for Australia on the second night of the fourth round of the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Cambridge, New Zealand.

Georgia Baker and Alexandra Manly got Australia’s night off to the perfect start, winning gold in the women’s madison in dominant fashion, while Matthew Glaetzer claimed a remarkable bronze medal in the men’s keirin, little over a month after having surgery to remove a thyroid cancer.

Stephanie Morton secured Australia’s second bronze of the night in the women’s sprint, while Nine-time world champion Cameron Meyer snatched silver in the men’s omnium.

Women’s madison

Georgia Baker and Alexandra Manly got Australia’s night off to the perfect start, winning gold in the women’s madison in dominant fashion.

They sealed victory by winning the double points final sprint, after building an early lead by winning four of the first six.

“It was a pretty tough madison actually. Not too many teams out there, but it was definitely a tough mado for Alex and I,” Baker said.

“We were just focusing on trying to get a consistent ride. Trying to get our changes and our timing right, trying to break the Madison down and just get all the basic things right and hope to come out with a result.

“That just goes to show all of our hard work in Adelaide paid off here.”

Baker, who claimed silver in the madison at the world championships earlier this year, and Manly finished 10 points clear of Poland, with the Subway New Zealand trade team a further 13 points back in third.

Glaetzer \ Photo - Guy Swarbrick

Men’s keirin

Matthew Glaetzer claimed a remarkable bronze medal in the men’s keirin, little over a month after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and having surgery to remove the growth.

The 2018 sprint world champion won his first and second round heats in commanding fashion, but had to settle for third in the final behind Mohd Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia and Guzprom-Rusvelo rider Shane Perkins.

“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest. It’s the best third place I’ve got in my career,” Glaetzer said.

“I exceeded my expectations by about three positions with this third place and very special in the considerations of what I’ve been through and it’s a credit to my team around me, just taking it one day at a time and not letting something get in your way.”

Glaetzer will ride in the Brisbane World Cup next week before preparing for his first round of radiotherapy treatment.

“That will give me a good picture as to what exactly we’re dealing with and from there assessing how many treatments I’ll need.”

Women’s sprint

Stephanie Morton secured Australia’s second bronze of the night in the women’s sprint.

The team sprint world champion clocked the fastest ever time in New Zealand (10.537secs) and was untroubled in her second round and quarter-final heats.

But Morton was beaten by Russia’s Anastasiia Voinova in the semi-finals, setting up a bronze medal ride-off against another Russian, Daria Shmeleva riding for Gazprom-Rusvelo.

She emerged with the bronze after two tight-fought heats.

“I’m really happy. I exceeded my expectations,” Morton said.

“You know I’m eight months post knee op so I kind of wasn’t sure what to expect.

“So to be able to come into this race not fully my best and to be able to get a good 200 time and then get on the podium I’m so happy.”

Team-mate Caitlin Ward lost in the second round after qualifying 14th, with Voinova pipping world record holder Kelsey Mitchell for gold.

Men’s omnium

Nine-time world champion Cameron Meyer snatched silver in the men’s omnium, after a great battle with hometown favourite Campbell Stewart.

Meyer held a slender lead over the reigning world omnium champion after the 10km scratch and tempo races, before falling two points behind Stewart when the Kiwi won the elimination race.

They then duelled throughout the points race but Meyer ultimately had to settle for second, nine points behind Stewart, with Kazakhstan’s Artyom Zakharov third, a further four points back.

“It was a bit of a one-on-one battle there with Campbell, but he’s super strong,” Meyer said.

“He’s proved that with a world championship win and the win in Hong Kong last week at the World Cup.

“I’m really happy. I haven’t done too much track of late and it’s been a while since I’ve done an omnium.

“I’m happy to get on the board and on the podium behind Campbell, nothing wrong with a silver medal.”

Women’s scratch

Amy Cure finished 11th in the women’s scratch race after four riders gained a lap on the field and contested the medals.

TRACK | Madison gold & bronze; Edmondson claims dual medals in Glasgow

11/11/2019

Photo - Argon18

Madison gold to Annette Edmondson and Georgia Baker, Madison bronze to Sam Welsford and Leigh Howard, and omnium bronze to Edmondson highlighted round two of the 2019-20 Tissot UCI Track World Cup in Glasgow

Edmondson and Baker dominated the 120-lap Madison from the outset, winning five of the first eight sprints held every ten laps, while figuring in two others, to set up a commanding lead.

Despite a crash by Baker inside the final 15 laps, the pair kept calm and rode away with the win on 40 points ahead of Great Britain (31pts) and the Netherlands (19pts).

"The Australian women's endurance squad has been focusing on the Madison in particular over the last couple of months.

"So this result means a lot not just to us, but the entire squad back home who have been helping us prepare for this track season," said Edmondson.

"Going into the race, we were focused on getting the little things right, wanted to make it simple, focus on the process and hope the result came.

"We are so happy to take the gold medal, and it shows all the hard work back home in Adelaide is working," said Baker.

Australia's focus now turns to the World Cup's fourth round in New Zealand from December 6-8, followed by the 2019-2020 TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup on home soil at Brisbane's Anna Meares Velodrome from December 13-15.

"We head back home tomorrow, and then the New Zealand and Brisbane World Cups become our goals. There are not many more opportunities to race and practice, so to know what we are doing is working is great for the confidence," added Edmondson.

Edmondson celebrated twice on the podium at the World Cup after claiming bronze in the four-event Omnium final. The 2015 omnium world champion finished on 111 points, just ten behind dual reigning world champion Kirsten Wild (NED).

"Each race was close together, and it all came down to a hard points race and the final sprint to get ono the podium," said Edmondson, who finished sixth, third and fourth in the scratch, tempo and elimination races before grabbing a medal with third in the points race.

â€‹"I'm satisfied with that performance, and we came here to try to be consistent with all the races and to make improvements on what we learned at Worlds. There were movements made forward with that regard, but still plenty of room for more improvements."

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Glasgow World Cup done and dusted for another year. Had a blast racing with @australiancyclingteam and enjoying new experiences with a great bunch. Came away with a bronze medal in the Madison with @samwelsford and 5th in the Scratch race to top off a nice first race back into the international scene. Look forward to getting back with my @aussietpboys this week and working towards our next targets in Cambridge and Brisbane now!

A post shared by Leigh Howard (@leighhoward1) on Nov 10, 2019 at 5:06pm PST

Reigning team pursuit world champion Sam Welsford and three-time Madison world champion Leigh Howard won bronze in the men's Madison.

In a frantic race, the Australian duo were one of three teams with winners France and silver medalists Great Britain to take three laps in the 200-lap race. It was a gallant effort by the pair to find the podium after a crash by Howard with sixty laps to go, put pressure on the pairing as the race lifted in intensity over the final fifty laps.

"We went into the race with a reasonably tight plan, and we executed it very close to what we envisaged," said Howard. "But the crash put us both under the pump, and in the end, the French pairing was too strong.

"We managed to hold third place, so not too shabby, but without the crash, I think we could have shaken things up a bit more in the last 50 laps, but that's bike racing!".

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Glasgow UCI Track World Cup done and dusted. Another couple TPs under the belt and more experience gained. Thanks @australiancyclingteam crew for the ripper week! â–¡ @iamtrackcycling â€¢ #trackcycling #velodrome #glasgow #findyour30

A post shared by Conor Leahy (@_conor_leahy_) on Nov 10, 2019 at 1:00pm PST

Welsford finished seventh in the omnium, while Howard donned his rainbow jersey to lead a young team pursuit quartet comprised of Podium Potential Academy duo Conor Leahy and Godfrey Slattery, and guest rider Joshua Duffy to seventh. Howard also finished fifth in the scratch race.

Baker finished seventh in the scratch race, while she also teamed with Kristina Clonan and Macey Stewart plus Podium Potential Academy member Alexandra Martin-Wallace to finish sixth in the team pursuit.

The Podium Potential Academy represented Australia in the sprint competition with Matthew Richardson, Tom Cornish and Tom Clarke finishing eighth in the team event. Clarke was ninth in the keirin, while Richardson was eleventh in the sprint.

â€‹Caitlin Ward won her keirin heat, before going on to win the 7-12 final to finish seventh overall.

The Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy (PPA) Endurance riders raced in support of the Sport Australia #findyour30 campaign.

TRACK | World champions & rising stars ready for Glasgow

6/11/2019

Kristina Clonan - Credit @avikaa

A mix of world champions and rising stars make up the Australian Team set to contest round two of the 2019-20 Tissot UCI Track World Cup in Glasgow from 8-10 November.

Reigning team pursuit world champion Sam Welsford will leave the pursuit bars back in Australia as he targets the bunch races in Scotland. Welsford will race the omnium and the Madison with three-time Madison world champion Leigh Howard at the Glasgow World Cup, his first trip back to the track since racing as part of the Australian Junior Team in 2013.

“Really keen to go back to Glasgow and give it a big crack, I have a busy schedule, and a bunch race focus,” said Welsford, who is looking forward to racing with Howard in the Madison. “Leigh has won countless World Championship and World Cup Madison events so to be able to draw on experience from him, I am really looking forward to that.

Howard will sport his rainbow jersey when he leads a youthful team pursuit quartet which includes Podium Potential Academy duo Conor Leahy and Godfrey Slattery, plus guest rider Joshua Duffy.

“I’m super excited, the knowledge you gain from these World Cup experiences can’t be compared to anything else,” offered Slattery, who with, Leahy, Duffy and Lucas Plapp teamed to win Oceania Championships team pursuit gold in October. “I’m really excited to be lining up alongside world champion Leah Howard in the team pursuit and I feel like we’ll learn quite a bit from his experience.”

Kristina Clonan and Macey Stewart will join Podium Potential Academy members Alexandra Martin-Wallace and Sophie Edwards in the team pursuit.

One year ago, Clonan and Stewart teamed with veterans Ashlee Ankudinoff and Georgia Baker to win team pursuit gold in the 2018-19 World Cup's opening round in France. At what will be Team Australia's opening World Cup for season 2019-20, Clonan is excited to offer her knowledge to two of Australia’s rising stars.

“It is amazing to think last year I was racing with Ash and Georgia at the World Cup in France and I was the young one. Now, Macey (Stewart) and I have Alexandra Martin-Wallace and Sophie Edwards,” said Clonan, now 21, who lauded the depth of the team’s program. “It is super exciting ahead of Glasgow, as we have been training really hard and super excited to see what we can do.

"But, with the inclusion of the Podium Potential Academy, we have huge prospects for 2020, 2024, 2028. We have plenty of cycles ahead, that’s for sure."

Martin-Wallace is eager to contest her second-career World Cup after racing the final round of last season in January.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s been a really big year building up to it, we’re coming together so well as a team, so I’m really excited,” said Martin-Wallace.

In the other women’s endurance events, 2015 omnium world champion Annette Edmondson will tackle the four-event omnium in addition to teaming with Georgia Baker in the Madison.

It will be an all Podium Potential Academy line up in the sprint competition with Matthew Richardson, Tom Cornish, Tom Clarke and Caitlin Ward set to race.

The Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy (PPA) Endurance riders will race in support of the Sport Australia #findyour30 campaign.

Following the Scottish round, members of the Australian Team will contest the World Cup's second round in New Zealand from December 6-8.

Brisbane’s Anna Meares Velodrome will host round five the 2019-2020 TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup from 13-15 December.

Team Australia for 2019-20 Tissot UCI Track World Cup in Glasgow from 8-10 November

Sprint

Matthew Richardson
Tom Cornish
Tom Clarke
Caitlin Ward

Endurance

Annette Edmondson
Georgia Baker
Kristina Clonan
Macey Stewart
Sophie Edwards
Alexandra Martin-Wallace
Sam Welsford
Leigh Howard
Conor Leahy
Godfrey Slattery
Joshua Duffy

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TRACK | TEAM AUSTRALIA for 2019-20 World Cup in Glasgow

1/11/2019

Welsford in action at during the 2018/19 World Cup - Photo Guy Swarbrick.

Cycling Australia is pleased to confirm the riders that will contest the 2019-20 Tissot UCI Track World Cup in Glasgow from 8-10 November.

The team for the second round of World Cup is highlighted by reigning team pursuit world champions Sam Welsford, Leigh Howard, Annette Edmondson and Georgia Baker.

In Glasgow, Welsford will race the omnium and the Madison with three-time Madison world champion Howard.

Howard will lead a youthful team pursuit outfit which includes Podium Potential Academy duo Conor Leahy and Godfrey Slattery, plus guest rider Joshua Duffy.

Edmondson will line up in the omnium and team with Baker in the Madison, while Kristina Clonan and Macey Stewart will join Podium Potential Academy members Alexandra Martin-Wallace and Sophie Edwards in the team pursuit.

It will be an all Podium Potential Academy line up in the sprint competition with Matthew Richardson, Tom Cornish, Tom Clarke and Caitlin Ward set to race.

The Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy (PPA) Endurance riders will race in support of the Sport Australia #findyour30 campaign.

Following the Scottish round, members of the Australian Team will contest the World Cup's second round in New Zealand from December 6-8.

Brisbane’s Anna Meares Velodrome will host round five the 2019-2020 TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup from 13-15 December.

Team Australia

Sprint

Matthew Richardson
Tom Cornish
Tom Clarke
Caitlin Ward

Endurance

Annette Edmondson
Georgia Baker
Kristina Clonan
Macey Stewart
Sophie Edwards
Alexandra Martin-Wallace
Sam Welsford
Leigh Howard
Conor Leahy
Godfrey Slattery
Joshua Duffy

TRACK | Women's Team pursuit claim gold

1/3/2019

Photo © Casey Gibson

Moments after cheering their male counterparts to team pursuit glory, Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW), Amy Cure (TAS), Annette Edmondson (SA) and Georgia Baker (TAS) completed the prestigious double by claiming the women’s crown.

Fastest qualifiers on Wednesday (4:14.915), the quartet subbed in Alexandra Manly - who celebrated her twenty-third birthday on Thursday - in place of Edmondson for their first-round clash with Italy. A malfunction in the Australian starting gate, followed by a false start by the Italians, failed to rattle the Australians as they soared into the final with a stunning win in 4mins 13.913secs.

Edmondson returned for the final and the Australian quartet pounced on the British outfit from the gate, establishing a lead of half a second after one kilometre. In a tight tussle, the margin remained under one second for the entirety of the 16-lap race, with the Australians holding off a late fightback to win in a time of 4mins 14.333secs (averaging 56.619km/h), two-tenths of a second ahead of Great Britain (4:14.537).

“It still hasn’t sunk in, we always believed we could do it,” said Edmondson, who shared in the 2015 world title with Cure and Ankudinoff. “We’ve got a great team vibe at the moment, everyone is really positive and really relaxed coming in and in a good mental space, so when you see your teammates doing well you do the same!

“We did all we could out there and we’rereally happy to be world champions!”

Georgia Baker was ecstatic to claim her maiden elite world crown.

“We put three really strong rides together, we’re so happy to be world champions,” Baker said. “At the moment I am struggling for words I am so proud and happy be in the rainbows. We have worked super hard, not just us but also Macey and Kristina back at home. They deserve every bit of this too.”
Fellow Tasmanian Amy Cure was overcome with emotion following the win, her second after winning in 2015.

“It is so great to be able to share this moment with these girls, it has been a bit of a roller coaster year, so it’s great to be able to pull on the rainbows now and do it with this group.”

For Ankudinoff, she becomes the first Australian woman to win three career team pursuit world crown after claiming the 2010 (with Tomic and Kent) and 2015 crowns (with Edmondson, Cure and Hoskins).

“It has been a couple of years since we have been on the top step. This is definitely special to share it with the four other girls plus two at home, it is a very special moment and I will never forget this,” Ankudinoff said.

Celebrating her twenty-third birthday on Thursday, Alex Manly received the best present from her teammates as she cheered trackside during the final.
“Super special to share it with these girls, it is awesome. They gave me chocolates this morning but I think this present is a lot better,” Manly said.
After recording his first World Championship victory at the helm of the women’s track endurance program, a visibly emotional Jason Bartram lauded praise on the Australian Cycling Team.

“It means a lot, it really means a lot,” Bartram said. “I’m proud of the girls and we put everything into this.

“To see it come across and see those girls get what they work for every day means everything.

“The staff support we have is unreal, everyone chips in their little bit and plays their role and contributes to great performances. I could try and say names, but I hope everyone who has been a part of this along the way knows they are important and matter.”

Track | Australian Team for 2019 UCI Track World Championships

30/1/2019

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

Ashlee Ankudinoff
Georgia Baker
Amy Cure
Annette Edmondson
Alexandra Manly
Leigh Howard
Kelland O’Brien
Cameron Meyer
Alexander Porter
Cameron Scott
Samuel Welsford

Sprint

Kaarle McCulloch
Stephanie Morton
Patrick Constable
Matthew Glaetzer
Nathan Hart
Matthew Richardson

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Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam

2019 UCI Track World Championships

Track | Australia crowned overall 2018/19 UCI Team World Cup winners

27/1/2019

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

German glory: Four gold for Australia at third round of UCI Track World Cup

3/12/2018

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

TRACK | Australia tops tally at opening World Cup

22/10/2018

Tissot UCI Track World Cup #1 - Paris, France

â€‹The Australian Cycling Team has opened the UCI Track World Cup season in Paris in style by topping the medal tally with eight medals including three gold, three silver and two bronze.

Sprint

Resplendent in his rainbow jersey, reigning world champion Matthew Glaetzer won the sprint gold.

Glaetzer opened his account with a scorching 9.502secs in qualifying - just 0.05secs off his personal best set at altitude - before defeating Dmitriev, Carlin, Hoogland and Lavreysen to take the win.
ðŸ‘ŠðŸ¼
"It has been a great start to the season with both individual wins at Oceanias and my World Cup Sprint win today so I am quite happy," Glaetzer told Cycling Australia. "Through the rounds I felt good and was racing well. The semi final onwards was intense though, I don't think I had beaten Hoogland before so that was a good fight to make the gold ride.

"I went to three rides again in the final which always tests you and your opponent to see how much is left in the tank. I backed up stronger in the third ride and took the gold."

View this post on Instagram

What a fight with @jeffreyhoogland and @harrielavreysen today! Both my semi with Jeffrey and my final with Harrie went to 3 rides! World Cup Sprint gold never felt so good. Ended up with 10 rides today, big day in the office... â–¡@drewkaplanphotography #paris #worldcup #sprint #gold

A post shared by Matthew Glaetzer (@matthewglaetzer) on Oct 21, 2018 at 3:03pm PDT

Stephanie Morton scorched qualifying with a personal best 10.516secs before defeating Kobayoshi, van Reissen and Shmeleva on her way to the final where Hong Kong's Wai Sze Lee ended her run.

"After a huge week at Oceanias, then a long haul flight, then three rounds of the team sprint, to come out and ride a 10.5 was awesome," Morton told Cycling Australia. "I knew it would be a tough fight to make the finals but I took it one race at a time and stoked to walk away with the silver."

Women's Team Pursuit

Dual world and reigning Commonwealth champion Ash Ankudinoff led Georgia Baker, and team newcomers Macey Stewart and Kristina Clonan to gold in the team pursuit.

Fastest qualifiers (4:20.154), the team progressed to the final with the best first round time (4:18.441), before posting a stellar time of 4mins 16.957secs to win gold over New Zealand.

View this post on Instagram

Leaving Paris with a Gold â–¡& a Bronze â–¡, a little less skin & a lot of morale! â–¡ Proud to be apart of a very successful @australiancyclingteam & a big shout out to Garry, my high school teacher for coming to cheer for me everyday! Pretty special! YTG â–¡â–¡ #onwardsandupwards

A post shared by MACEY STEWART (@maceystewart) on Oct 22, 2018 at 3:06am PDT

Scratch

Ashlee Ankudinoff claimed her second gold of the World Cup with victory in the scratch race, while Leigh Howard took bronze in the men's final.

Madison

Dual Madison world champion Leigh Howard and Kell Oâ€™Brien took bronze on 17points with gold going to Hansen/Morkov. The medal was Kellâ€™s first one at World Cup level.

Macey Stewart and Georgia Baker took the double points on offer in the final sprint to grab a podium finish in the women's final.

Team Sprint

Fastest qualifiers (32.845) Stephanie Morton and Kaarle McCulloch progressed through the first round (32.763) but were pipped by just .001 seconds in team sprint final by Russia's Voinova and Shmeleva (32.820).

In the men's, Jacob Schmid, Patrick Constable and Nathan Hart finished just outside the medals in fifth.

>>> Official Results

36-member Australian Team for 2018 Commonwealth Games

20/2/2018

Image via Kevin Anderson

Commonwealth Games Australia is pleased to announce a strong 36-member team to contest the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Reigning Commonwealth Games champions Stephanie Morton, Matthew Glaetzer and Annette Edmondson headline the track selections, in addition to the return of 2010 Gold medallists Cameron Meyer and Kaarle McCulloch.

Reigning road national champions Alexander Edmondson and Shannon Malseed, triple world championship medallist Katrin Garfoot and 2006 Commonwealth Games road race gold medallist Mathew Hayman feature in the road selections.
The team will vie for 26 gold medals - track (16), para-cycling track (4), road (4), and mountain bike (2) competitions in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast from 4-15 April.

Australian Team Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti welcomed the athletes on to the Australian Team.

“We enjoyed strong success at Glasgow 2014 from the Cycling team, so with the depth and experience we have in this team we look forward to more success at Gold Coast 2018,” he said.

“The cycling program is an incredibly exciting one for fans, with competition at the new Anna Meares Velodrome, road cycling events that are free and open to all spectators and mountain biking at the Nerang trails.

“With many of these athletes spending a lot of time abroad, Gold Coast 2018 provides a unique chance for these athletes to compete in front of a home crowd,” Moneghetti said.

With the announcement of the 36 cyclists today, the Australian Team currently numbers 222, or just under half the anticipated total of 470 athletes.

TEAM OVERVIEW

The men’s track endurance squad is replete with rainbow jerseys, with reigning team pursuit world champions Samuel Welsford, Kelland O’Brien, Leigh Howard, Alexander Porter and Nicholas Yallouris, plus individual pursuit world champion Jordan Kerby; named in their first Games’ team.

Three-time world champion Leigh Howard will also debut, with eight-time world champion and triple 2010 Games Gold medallist Cameron Meyer rounding out the strong line up.

Defending scratch race Gold medallist and dual world champion Annette Edmondson, dual 2014 Games medallist and world champion Amy Cure and 2010 representative Ashlee Ankudinoff will lead the women’s endurance squad.
Dual world champion Rebecca Wiasak, Rio Olympian Georgia Baker and rising star Alexandra Manly all receive their first Commonwealth Games’ selections.

“It’s really not that often someone gets to represent their country in a home Commonwealth Games in their career, so for me, it’s something very special that I’ll never forget,” said Cure, a dual medallist from 2014.

“(I am) super excited to have the team pursuit on the calendar at the Games. I’m really excited to see what the team can achieve; as one of our three Olympic events, it’s great to get another opportunity to race this race in front of big crowds.”

Australia’s sprint crew is awash with Commonwealth Gold with defending sprint champion Stephanie Morton to form a formidable women’s sprint duo with 2010 team sprint champion Kaarle McCulloch.

2014 keirin Gold medallist Matthew Glaetzer will spearhead an impressive men’s sprint quartet with Rio Olympians Nathan Hart and Patrick Constable, and Jacob Schmid.

A host of Australia’s WorldTour elite highlight the road selections, with reigning national champion Alexander Edmondson, 2006 Commonwealth Games road race Gold medallist Mathew Hayman, Steele Von Hoff, Mitchell Docker, Callum Scotson and Meyer, forming a versatile six-member men’s road squad.

“I have very fond memories of the 2014 Commonwealth Games from Glasgow, so I am really excited about lining up in the road race in 2018,” said Edmondson, who won Gold and Silver in the pursuit events on the track four years ago.
“Of course being a home games there’s a bit of added pressure, but we are going to have a home crowd cheering us on which is going to be huge.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of racing in the green and gold on home soil!”

Triple world championship medallist and 2014 Commonwealth Bronze medallist Katrin Garfoot will head the six-member women’s team with reigning road national champion Shannon Malseed, dual national road champion Gracie Elvin and 2010 Games Bronze medallist Chloe Hosking, who gains a third team selection.

2010 team member Tiffany Cromwell returns while Sarah Roy makes her debut.

“It's a bit of a pinch yourself moment,” said Hosking who becomes just the third Australian female cycling behind Anna Meares and Kathy Watt to be named to contest three Commonwealth Games.
“To think I represented Australia at 20 in Delhi and I'm still racing and still getting stronger and still pulling on the green and gold. I would never have dreamt this growing up.”

The Tandem Para-cycling selections are led by 2016 world champions Jessica Gallagher and Pilot Madison Janssen, while Bradley Henderson will make his debut with Pilot Thomas Clarke who won Bronze at the 2014 Games.
2014 Bronze medallists and dual Olympians Daniel McConnell and Rebecca McConnell (nee Henderson) will contest the mountain bike cross-country competition.

“I'm very excited about the upcoming Games, to have a home Commonwealth Games is going to be a great experience,” said McConnell who grabbed a top ten finish at last year’s World Championships in Cairns. “I have pretty high expectations going into the Games.

“I really like the course, I think it suits my strength pretty well. I just want to get to the start line 100% fit and ready to go, if I can do that anything is possible.”
Similarly, Rebecca McConnell is hoping the home course advantage plays into her hands when she lines up against a world-class field.

“I have been fortunate enough to race on the course at the Nationals Series in January, it's a great course, with technical climbing and descending and the strongest rider will win,” said Henderson.
“With world champions and World Cup winners in both the men's and the women's field the racing is going to be fast and exciting so we hope to see lots of spectators in April!”

Australia has enjoyed strong success at recent Games with a 24-medal haul including seven gold in Glasgow in 2014, and 21 medals (14 gold) in Delhi in 2010.

Tickets still available to 12 sports across the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games competition schedule.

Commonwealth Games Australian Cycling Team

ROAD

Tiffany Cromwell
Gracie Elvin
Katrin Garfoot
Chloe Hosking
Shannon Malseed*
Sarah Roy*
Mitchell Docker*
Alexander Edmondson
Mathew Hayman
Cameron Meyer
Callum Scotson*
Steele Von Hoff*

MTB

Daniel McConnell
Rebecca McConnell (nee Henderson)

TRACK ENDURANCE

Ashlee Ankudinoff
Georgia Baker*
Amy Cure
Annette Edmondson
Alexandra Manly*
Rebecca Wiasak*
Leigh Howard*
Jordan Kerby*
Cameron Meyer
Kelland O’Brien*
Alexander Porter*
Samuel Welsford*
Nicholas Yallouris*

TRACK SPRINT

Kaarle McCulloch
Stephanie Morton
Patrick Constable*
Matthew Glaetzer
Nathan Hart
Jacob Schmid*

PARA TRACK (TANDEMS)

Jessica Gallagher* / Madison Janssen* - Pilot
Bradley Henderson* / Thomas Clarke - Pilot

* Commonwealth Games debutant

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN CYCLING TEAM

The ‘Australian Cycling Team’ encompasses the Olympic and Paralympic cycling discipline athletes, coaches and performance support staff who will receive program support for Track and Para, and Individual Athlete Performance Support for Road and BMX.

ABOUT AUS CYCLING

AusCycling represents over 52,000 members across BMX, BMX Freestyle, Cyclo-Cross, E-Sport, Mountain Bike, Para-Cycling, Road, Track and Lifestyle (recreational and commuter) riding throughout Australia. More at https://auscycling.org.au/

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