 Nicholas winning the 2018 World Title - Photo © Casey Gibson Australia’s 2019 summer of track cycling begins this week at DISC Velodrome in Melbourne with the two-day 2019 Para-cycling National Championships. Australian Cycling Team members will be in action including reigning Paralympic and world champion David Nicholas (QLD) and dual World Championship medallist Emily Petricola (VIC). Nicholas delivered yet again in 2018 as he surged to defend his C3 individual pursuit world title in March, while also collecting a podium during the Road World Cup series and four National crowns on the road and track. “It has been a great season, I kept it pretty low key after Track Worlds as I came down with bug away that put me out of action for a while anyway, but it was good to be able to build up to Road Worlds. Nicholas will be aiming for his eighth consecutive pursuit crown and sixth straight win in the time trial, with the Queenslander’s sights also firmly set on March’s World Championships. “My goals are obviously to defend my two nationals titles, but also to set a time in the kilo and pursuit to see where I am at in my preparations for the World Championships.”  Petricola in action during the 2018 World Title - Photo © Casey Gibson Petricola will be looking to defend her C4 national pursuit crown, an event in which she shocked the para-cycling world in 2018 after breaking the world record in qualifying at the World Championships in March.
“When I look back at 2018 I'm pretty shocked at what a huge year it has been, in particular thinking back to the world champs and the results there, it all seems a bit surreal,” said Petricola, who claimed World Championship silver in both the pursuit and time trial. While only having begun cycling a couple of years ago, Petricola was quickly selected to the Australian Cycling Team and has committed to the program by moving back to Melbourne after three years working in the United Arab Emirates. “I have gone from training on my own all the time in the middle of the desert on a trainer most of the time, to be a part of the bigger machine of Cycling Australia and more locally, the VIS,” added Petricola, who will race both the time trial and pursuit this week on her home track at DISC before tackling FedUni RoadNats in January. “ "With so much change, I've certainly had to be a bit more resilient and persevere as I reestablish my life in Australia. But now that things are settling down a bit, I'm starting to find my rhythm and looking forward to getting some positive results over the coming months.” Former world champions Alistair Donohoe (VIC), Kyle Bridgwood (QLD), Amanda Reid (NSW), Simone Kennedy (NSW), plus Jessica Gallagher (VIC) who will be piloted by Madison Janssen (VIC) in the Tandem events, will be in action. The Para-cycling National Championships will be held in conjunction with the 2019 Omnium Championships. #ParaTrackNats Quick Guide
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 Carol Cooke with outgoing Para Technical Director Peter Day Australia is celebrating a successful end to the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup season with five gold and a total of fourteen medals at the third and final round in Canada. In the season ending honours, Carol Cooke (WT2) and Stuart Tripp (MH5) were crowned overall UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup champions. Cooke never missed the podium in 2018, claiming three victories, two seconds and one third on the season to edge close rival Jill Walsh on a count back. Tripp claimed three wins from four races, including two gold in the final round, to claim the leader’s jersey. In other final season results, Alistair Donohoe (MC5) two silvers in the final round moved him to third overall on the Series, while Meg Lemon (WC4) also finished third after two podiums to end the year, just ahead of Hannah MacDougall (WC4) in fourth. Kyle Bridgwood (MC4) finished fourth overall after contesting just two of the three rounds, while Darren Hicks (MC2) was eighth after winning his only two races of the season in round one. The results capped off a strong season for the Australian Cycling Team which netted twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy earlier this month. Round 3 Summary of Results
 Stuart Tripp celebrates his World Cup season victory!  Peter celebrates with Emilie Miller at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships. Cycling Australia would like to thank Peter Day, who after nine years of leading the Australian Cycling Team Para-cycling program, will step down from the role at the end of September. Peter’s remarkable cycling coaching career has spanned across three decades, with his first role coming as the Head Coach of the inaugural QAS Cycling Program in 1991. “As QAS coach, I had the privilege of working with several Para-cyclists, most notably Chris Scott who was a multiple Paralympic and world champion. "As I really enjoyed the coaching experience and personal relationship developed with Chris, I felt I could contribute to and achieve the overall goals and objectives of the program as required by Cycling Australia and the Australian Paralympic Committee.” Commencing with the Cycling Australia High Performance Network in 2009, Peter guided the program through two Paralympic Games campaigns which netted six gold medals in London 2012 and three at Rio 2016 for a total haul of 27 medals. During his management, the team astoundingly claimed more than 30 world titles across both the UCI Para-cycling Road and Track World Championships. “My most fulfilling time had to be the 2012 London Paralympics,. Not only because of the outstanding results, but I think it was another massive step for the profile of Para-cycling and the athletes who truly deserve the recognition. “My unforgettable moment came there when I watched this young man David Nicholas, go from being absolutely devastated with his result in the IP on the track, to win gold in the TT on the road and then go on to claim the IP gold at the 2016 Rio Games.”  Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with Alexandra Lisney, Sue Powell & Michael Winter. Photo APC. Peter’s results were recognised off the road and track, notably with many accolades highlighted by the APC and CA Coach of the Year awards, but he was quick to acknowledge the athletes’ role. “Something that I have always been very conscious of is that great athletes make coaches look good. I was very extremely lucky to work with some exceptionally talented cyclists in my early coaching years before and also as the inaugural QAS Coach including Kerrie Meares, Scott McGrory and Robbie McEwen. “So it is fitting to come out the other side of my coaching career recognising some of our current great Para-cycling champions, and again just to name a few, Carol Cooke, David Nicholas and Alistair Donohoe who have continued to make me look good with their achievements.” Peter also spent many years championing the cause of Para-cycling away from the finish lines and podiums via the UCI Para-cycling Commission. “Of great personal satisfaction and this is the bigger picture but my involvement with the UCI which gave me the voice and vehicle to address the international factoring and minus 1 rule. This rule change effectively ended the discrimination against the more disabled who don’t attract the same size fields, especially in the women’s classifications.”  Peter with some of Australia's best after being named Coach of the year in 2016. While his legacy will be felt around the sport and the Australian Cycling Team for years to come, the sport has also left a lasting impression on Peter. “Generally I will take away the highest respect and admiration for the Para-cyclists who welcomed my support as many needed to demonstrate abilities to overcome adversity and challenges almost on a daily basis, that most able-bodied cyclists couldn’t begin to consider. “I take away a great deal of personal pride in knowing I did the best I possibly could with the resources available and also great satisfaction realising the developed lifelong friendships with colleagues and athletes. “I am proud of the people I worked with and am extremely confident that the greatly enhanced operating structure that is currently in place will serve to progress the Para-cycling program through to the Tokyo Paralympics.” Peter paid tribute to his strong support network across Australia. “Of course as with everything in life many people influence you, assist you and like how a great athlete makes you look good, so does a great support team. “In the beginning, I was entirely at sea with what was effectively a two-man show, Tom Skulander and I appreciate his guidance. To the Golden Rainbow, Murray Lydeamore volunteering his services as Team Manager which saw us do every World Track and Road Championship 2010 – 2016 and two Paralympics. “Throughout the years I enjoyed support from SIS/SAS coaches, and I particularly enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Kipp Kaufmann (Cycling Victoria/Australia), and I must recognise him for his efforts to take Para-cycling competition into environments of higher profile and recognition. “To the Australian Paralympic Committee and special thanks to Kate McLoughlin, a big thank you to Paul Brosnan for his support and direction in his role of General Manager Australian Cycling Team, and to Kevin Tabotta’s and the progress that was made with Para-cycling integration within the High Performance program. “I must recognise the long-term commitment from Keren Faulkner, Nick Formosa, Michael Winter, Eliza Smyth, Berthy May and Dan Brent as integral to our program and more recently Cameron Jennings, Nick Owen and excellent administration support from Nathan Jennings. “I also enjoyed this past year working with Simon Jones as Performance Director; I appreciated Simon allowing me the autonomy to get on with delivering stated goals and objectives as we build the required momentum towards medal-winning performances Tokyo 2020.”  Peter coaching Sue Powell at the World Championships. And what is next for Peter Day? “I suppose all the things people say they will do when they retire are going around in my head. “I know I will miss the athlete interaction and my work colleagues and friends who have been so incredibly supportive of me during both the good and bad times. “But I think I will just take a step back, not be email driven, slaved to by the phone and not wondering what disaster will hit the KPI’s for that year. “And just annoy my wife a bit more than I currently do.” The 2018 UCI Para World Cup in Canada will be Peter's final event in the role. Details of the new appointments to the Cycling Australia program will be made in the coming week.  Peter (right) with Stuart Tripp at the Rio Paralympic Games. Photo APC.
The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy.
Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race. 
Seven-time world champion Cooke was content with her dual silver medal-winning performance.
“I came into these World Championships hoping to bring home the world champion stripes, and I was in the best shape of my life,” said Cooke, who finished behind the USA’s Jill Walsh in both races. “I had my race plans in place and rode them perfectly, gave everything that I had. Unfortunately for me someone else, Jill was faster on both days. “But I am very proud to have done my best, and for me that is the success, doing my best in any race. Two silver medals aren't too shabby! I am very happy to have been on the podium.” A leader on and off the bike, Cooke, 56, recognised the growth and improving quality Tricycle racing, while also revealing the results of her teammates inspire her. “The Trike class is growing and becoming stronger, and I am happy to be part of that growth. “It has just made me hungrier for the next racing against Jill which will happen in a couple of weeks away in Canada at the last World Cup. “It was also great to see my teammates do so well, Kaitlyn Schurmann in her first ever World Championship taking two silver and Emilie Miller winning two gold! Watching them ride is so inspiring.” Cooke also paid tribute to retiring Cycling Australia’s Technical Director of Para-cycling Peter Day. “We have an amazing team which has been put together by Peter over the last ten years, and it is with a heavy heart that we will be saying goodbye to his leadership in September. However, we all wish him the best in his retirement, and I am sure that his wife Cheryl will be more than happy to have him at home!” Like Cooke, Macdougall was ecstatic with her dual podium appearance in the road race and time trial. "I am feeling absolutely awesome, am super stoked to pick up two silvers, and it was even more special to share the time trial podium with my Aussie teammate Meg," said Macdougall. "The time trial was one of the most interesting and scenic courses we have had - not that I got to take a lot of it in - I raced and paced it well, crossing the line knowing I had given it everything I had. "I am super proud of the race and of my performance, 200% improvement on my total career medals. "But results like that aren’t an individual effort and I am so grateful to our support team." Official results: visit the UCI website. 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy. Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race.  For Donohoe, 23, a stunning solo victory in the C5 road race gave him his third road rainbow jersey from the last four World Championships. The 2014 and 2015 road world champion was part of a three-rider breakaway for most of the race before his attack on the pair inside the final few kilometres went unanswered. “It was super aggressive in the first two laps, then on the last lap I hit the pair before the fast run into town, and from there it was just head down to the finish, and I managed to hold them off,” said Donohoe, who won by twenty seconds. “Winning solo is always a rarity especially being someone who prefers the sprints, and my first victory since Rio. After having some health and injury problems last season, it was just so, so, so good to get back on top. “And in my favourite event, this is a fantastic win. In a typically Australian way, I’m stoked.” Official results: visit the UCI website.
2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
 The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy. Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title - read more. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race. Miller, 23, is still coming to terms with her dual gold medal performance. “I don’t think it has sunk in yet, it’s a humbling experience,” said Miller, “It felt amazing to pull on the rainbow jersey, and I was thrilled to see the hard training paying off. “I felt it was my best race on an international stage so far. I felt I rode a very good race technically by choosing good lines, and I surprised myself with how strong I was on the climbs and had a strong, fast finish to the race.” While the only rider in her category at the World Championships, Millar praised Cycling Australia for allowing the opportunity to represent her country on the international stage. “I am very proud to be the only woman in my class at this World Championships. Other countries have riders in this class, and they haven’t brought them to compete, so I’m grateful for the support that Cycling Australia has given me to be able to represent my country.” Official results: visit the UCI website.
2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
Darren Hicks in 2017 - Photo Boogs McFadden
The Australian Cycling Team is locked and loaded ahead of the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships which begin Thursday 2 August in Maniago, Italy.
The team is littered with some of the biggest names in para-cycling, including seven-time and dual reigning world champion Carol Cooke, Paralympic gold medallist David Nicholas, former world champion Kyle Bridgwood and Alistair Donohoe. And while it is easy to focus on these names, there have been two riders quietly making names for themselves in households across the country. South Australian duo Darren Hicks and Meg Lemon announced themselves at the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships when on their debut, they clinched dual silver and dual bronze respectively. In 2018, they the pair head into the World Championships in form and full of confidence after winning gold at May’s opening round of the UCI Para Road World Cup in Belgium. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work since Belgium working on both skills and fitness in preparation for these World Champs,” said Lemon, who will contest the women’s C4 road race and time trial from Friday. “Our coach believes he’s worked as harder than ever, so I’m hoping the hard work will pay off here.” “I would love to podium again this year at Worlds and the World Cup hoping my form and skills I have worked in will help to improve and move up the step to perhaps silver or gold in the race,” added Lemon. “You never know what will happen race day and how everyone else performs, but it’s all about experience and working towards the next few years and qualifying and hopefully peaking at Tokyo.” However, while she is clearly focussed on her own race and path to Tokyo, Lemon was quick to point out to others what she believes her teammates are capable of achieving this weekend. “I’m also so excited to see what my teammates can do. I have a feeling Darren might beat us to the rainbow stripes this year,” Lemon remarked. 
Meg Lemon in 2017 - Photo Boogs McFadden
For Darren Hicks who will race the men’s C2 road race and time trial, his 2018 season has been almost flawless with dual national titles in January, followed by World Cup gold in May.
“It's been a dream start to the road season, most of my training is in preparation for road competition, so it was great to see all of that pay off in Belgium,” said Hicks, who despite the early season successes, has continued to strive for the marginal gains. “As far as performance goes my numbers were good in Ostend, but we have worked on a few things since coming home and made some nice gains in a couple of areas. “After a surprising set of results last year, going backwards and staying stagnant aren't options so that only leaves climbing one step higher on the podium! “So quite simply, winning is my one and only goal.” More on the Championships The Championships will be live streamed via the official Facebook page, with more event information via the official website. For official start lists and results, visit the UCI website. 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships
Alistair celebrates his 2015 world title.
The Australian Cycling Team has arrived in Italy ahead of the 2018 UCI Para Road World Championships to be held from 2-5 August.
The team is together for the first time since May’s opening round of the Para Road World Cup in Belgium where the team grabbed 12 medals, including gold to Carol Cooke, Darren Hicks, Stuart Tripp, Meg Lemon and Kyle Bridgwood. Carol Cooke added to the tally gold and silver at the second round in the Netherlands. Following the World Cup where he grabbed bronze, dual road world champion Alistair Donohoe opted to spend his final few weeks of preparation in his bedroom. But while it might sound like he was skipping training to catch up on his TV shows, it was all in the name of sport performance. “For the past three weeks, I’ve had the altitude tent set up in my bedroom,” explained Donohoe, 23, “It’s actually super boring as I had to lock myself in my room for around 14 hours a day (including sleep) and pretend like I was the bubble boy. I became good friends with Netflix! “I did it not because I’m going to go racing at altitude, but for the physiological benefits of increasing (or trying to) the number of red blood cells in my body. “The hardest part is the added fatigue effects it has on your body and trying to train at 100% while in the tent can be pretty difficult, you have a few more off days than usual, and your sleep/recovery isn't quite as good, so it's a bit of a balancing act.”
Donohoe’s balancing act has not been confined to the four walls of a hyperbaric chamber, with his season interspersed with Australian team commitments including the Track World Championships, and his debut season with Conti team Mobius BridgeLane.
“The new team Mobius BridgeLane has been awesome so far, a great group of guys and an incredible support network. I'm really enjoying my time with them and every race we enter,” said Donohoe, who raced his debut season in the USA just after winning silver at the UCI Track World Championships in Rio. “Racing in the USA at the beginning of the year was a great experience too, having raced in Europe and Asia it was nice to get a taste of what the US had to offer, and it was some pretty high-class racing. “It was tough coming straight off Track World Championships and going into that racing, but it definitely helped my bronze medal performance at the Belgium World Cup in May.”
The 2014 and 2015 road world champion is chasing rainbows next week in Italy and will line up in the road race and time trial from August 2.
“Of course, the goal is to bring home some stripes,” he said. “But it is always hard to know how you're feeling without having any preparation races! “I've been doing a lot of time trial training the past few weeks and should have faith in the numbers I’m seeing and that they indicate I’m moving pretty well. “The road race is, of course, my bread and butter event, and I would love more than anything to take that one out and stand on the top step, so we'll see how that goes!” So after weeks in the bubble, and 20+ hours on the plane, what will Donohoe’s first move be when he arrives in team camp? “My first few days will mostly involve recovering from the jet lag as fast as possible and settling into the new time zone, then will be tapering into the racing. “I'll also be trying to acclimatise to the hot weather over there, so I will be utilising a sauna for the first few days to do heat acclimatisation sessions.” 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships
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.  Cycling Australia is pleased to announce selections to the Australian Cycling Team for the 2018 UCI Para Road World Championships which will be held in Italy from 2-5 August 2018.
2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships
Name (State), Classification BM: Vision impaired; H: Handcycle, T: Tricycle Headlining the World Championship team selections is seven-time and dual reigning world champion Carol Cooke who claimed World Cup gold and silver at the first round of the 2018 UCI Para Road World Cup in Belgium in May. It was a successful start to the 2018 season, and the qualification process towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, for the Australian Cycling Team as it netted twelve medals, including six gold at May’s World Cup. Dual 2017 World Championship silver medallist Darren Hicks powered to dual gold, while Stuart Tripp collected gold and silver. The pair now boast the 2018 World Cup leader’s jersey in their respective classifications. 2015 time trial world champion Kyle Bridgwood and dual 2017 World Championship bronze medallist Meg Lemon also found the top step of the World Cup podium. Hannah Macdougall collected two bronze, while debutants Stuart Jones and Kaitlyn Schurmann have been rewarded with their maiden World Championship team selection following their podium appearances. 2016 Paralympic gold medallist David Nicholas and dual road world champion Alistair Donohoe add depth and experience to the team. Grant Allan, Grant Nickel and Emilie Miller round out the Handcycle selections, with the Tandem pairing of Kieran Murphy and Lachlan Glasspool back for their second World Championships following a top ten on debut in 2017. More on Para-cycling - UCI website 
The Australian Cycling Team finished the 2018 Ostend World Cup in style taking their overall tally to 12 medals.
The star-studded team worked hard in fresh Belgian conditions to put on a show for fans. Darren Hicks opened the account with an outstanding performance netting golds in the road race and time trial. Reigning world champion, Carol Cooke blew away the time trial field to win gold and in an exhilarating finish was edged out for second by the USA’s Jill Walsh. Darren Hicks achieved back to back gold medals in the road race and time trial while teammates, Stuart Tripp, Meg Lemon and Kyle Bridgwood also left Ostend with gold medals. Over the four days of racing in Belgium, the Australian Cycling Team netted a total of five gold medals and three silver medals, four bronze Medals and six top 10 finishes. Newcomers to the Aussie Cycling Team, Stu Jones & Kaitlyn Schurmann both worked hard for their silver medals in the road race. Stuart Tripp and Darren Hicks were also both awarded the World Cup leader’s jersey. The team will now head home and into training for the 2018 Para-cycling World Championships as the athletes push towards selection for the 2018 Road World Championships, Maniago Italy 2 - 5 August.
Para-cycling World Cup Round 1 Results
BMX Supercross World Cup Round 4 Results
 The Australian Cycling Teams takes one step closer to Tokyo 2020 with an experienced team headed off to the 2018 Para-cycling Road World Cup in Ostend Belgium 4 - 6 May.
The team includes defending 2017 dual world champion; Carol Cooke who headlines a star studded the group who are set to take on the world's best. The Australia Cycling Team is also excited to welcome two debutantes also, Kaitlyn Schurnmann VIC) and Stuart Jones (NSW). Young new comer from Victoria, Kaitlyn Schurnmann is looking forward to her first world cup event. "Representing Australia is a great honour. I honestly feel very lucky and it still feels a bit unreal... as it's my first World Cup my aim is to gain experience travelling to race and competing on an international level." Said Schurnmann. After a stand out 2017 season that saw South Australia’s Meg Lemon finish the year with two world cup golds in the time trial, two national titles and a world championship bronze in Pietermaritzburg, she hoping to add to her collection. “There is nothing better than putting on the green and gold jersey on race day and representing your country. All your hard work, blood, sweat and tears are justified for that very reason and I think it helps you push that extra bit you didn’t know you were capable of, when it matters most. Said Lemon. She added “Watching the Commonwealth Games has made me really hungry to race for Australia again and hopefully, do what it takes to bring home a medal or two.” This event is important for the Australia Cycling Team as results count towards 2020 Tokyo Paralympic qualification slots, and it is the last opportunity for athletes to push towards selection for the 2018 Road World Championships, Maniago Italy 2 - 5 August. 2018 Para-cycling Road World Cup Team, Ostend
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Para-cyclist Bradley Henderson and Pilot Thomas Clarke picked up the bronze medal in the men’s Tandem Sprint, their second bronze of the game.
Jessica Gallagher and pilot Maddison Janssen finished second in the women's Tandem 1 B&VI 1000m time trial.
Women's TANDEM SPRINT
Victoria's Jessica Gallagher and Pilo Maddison Janssen opened the Games with an incredible time in the Tandem women's sprint flying 200m.
The first Aussies to hit the Anna Meares Velodrome for the Games, they blasted a 10.954 in front of an electric home crowd. The English pairing of Thornhill and Scott however eclipsed this mark in the next ride, with the duo edging the Australians in the final to take the gold.
Men's Tandem Time Trial
Australia also picked up a bronze medal in the men’s team sprint and the tandem pairing of Brad Henderson and pilot Tom Clarke won a bronze in the B&VI 1000m time trial, Australia’s first Para medal of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“We were a bit disappointed about the fourth place in the UCI Rio Para-cycling Track World Championships, so to come out here and show them what we were capable of, was exciting,” Henderson said.
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