AusCycling is pleased to confirm the selection of the nine athletes who will take part in a 2021 Junior Road World Championships National Team Road Camp later in 2021.  

Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, AusCycling will not send Junior (Under 19) National Teams to any 2021 UCI World Championships.  

In replacement of the Championships, athletes will participate in an Australian-based National Team Road Camp later in the year. The camp will also incorporate two competitions, including one of the 2021 AusCycling National Road Series.    

The athletes include 2021 road national champion Alyssa Polites (VIC), Lachlan Miller (QLD), Lucinda Stewart (VIC) and Dylan George (NSW), with Haylee Fuller (NSW), Isabelle Carnes (QLD), Aiden Sinclair (NSW), Zac Marriage (SA) and Tyler Tomkinson, (QLD) completing the selections.  

The athletes were selected by the AusCycling National Junior Selection Panel, which convened in April.  

Director of Performance Pathway for the Australian Cycling Team, Jesse Korf: 

“Part of the value of participating as an under 19 at the UCI Road World Championships is the opportunity to compete at an elevated level of competition.  

“While we are not able to contest the World Championships in 2021, we will provide a simulation of a higher level of competition for the athletes by having these under 19 riders contest events in the Under 23 AusCycling National Road Series in August. 

“Also, while it is exciting to announce the U19 selections and the camp, this forms part of a more extensive series of projects aimed towards the Wollongong 2022 Road World Championships on home soil.  

“While also forming part of a new approach where we will actively structure to combine track and road to enhance development and opportunity in both sports.” 

Athletes for 2021 Junior Road World Championships - AusCycling National Team Road Camp  

U19 WOMEN 

• Alyssa POLITES (VIC) 
• Haylee FULLER (NSW) 
• Isabelle CARNES (QLD) 
• Lucinda STEWART (VIC) 

​U19 MEN 

• Lachlan MILLER (QLD) 
• Dylan GEORGE (NSW) 
• Aiden SINCLAIR (NSW) 
• Zac MARRIAGE (SA) 
• Tyler TOMKINSON (QLD) 

AusCycling is pleased to confirm the 66 athletes who have been categorised as Emerging and Developing athletes in the disciplines of track endurance and track sprint for 2021-22.  

The categorisation is comprised of 32 Emerging (23 Endurance and 9 Sprint) and 34 Developing (25 Endurance and 9 Sprint) athletes from all state and territory institutes and academies of sport which form the cycling national High-Performance Network (HPN).   

The key objective of the HPN is to develop and prepare the athletes for a successful progression into the Australian Cycling Team's Podium Potential and Podium categories. About the Australian Cycling Team Pathway.      

Athlete Categorisation is used to identify, track, and prioritise athletes at each stage of the Performance Pathway and support the Australian Cycling Teams consistently winning medals at major international events.  

During the categorisation process, AusCycling compared performance progressions of athletes against the progressions of medal-winning athletes at World Championships and Olympic Games in the past ten years. 

This process is based on a national Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) framework called Athlete Categorisation, which provides sports with a method of assessing an athlete's performance trajectory to the elite podium.  

Athletes categorised as Emerging and Developing receive recognition by the AIS and receive support in their ongoing development in several formats, including access to state high-performance facilities, dedicated camps, and race support. 

Categorisation for Emerging and Developing athletes in BMX, MTB, Paralympic and Road will be announced later in 2021.  

Director of Performance Pathway for the Australian Cycling Team, Jesse Korf: 

"After undergoing the categorisation approach, it is very exciting to see that we have 66 athletes in our talent pool that are tracking towards highly aspirational outcomes of elite podiums at World Championships and Olympic Games.

"We wish to congratulate all that received categorisation. Having a thriving talent pool to underpin the elite National Team programs is a temperature gauge for the 
health of our sports and significant for the sustainability of our international performances in years to come." 

Emerging and Developing Athletes - Track Endurance, Track Sprint, Road Endurance   

Emerging
 

• Alexander Jones Endurance VIC 
• Alli Anderson Endurance NT 
• Aston Freeth Endurance SA 
• Ben Anderson Endurance NSW 
• Blake Agnoletto Endurance VIC 
• Claudia Marcks Endurance ACT 
• Dalton Stretton Endurance TAS 
• Deneaka Blinco Sprint QLD 
• Des’ree Barnes Sprint QLD 
• Dylan Eather Endurance NSW 
• Dylan Stanton Sprint SA 
• Ella Sibley Sprint SA 
• Emma Stevens Sprint QLD 
• Hamish McKenzie Endurance TAS 
• Haylee Fuller Endurance NSW 
• Isabelle Carnes Endurance QLD 
• Jack Menzies Endurance TAS 
• Jarrah Anderson Sprint ACT 
• John Carter Endurance WA 
• Keira Will Endurance NSW 
• Lauren Bates Endurance ACT 
• Leo Zimmermann Endurance SA 
• Lily Stratford Sprint ACT 
• Meg Marker Endurance SA 
• Noah Blannin Endurance QLD 
• Oscar Chamberlain Endurance ACT 
• Ryan Elliott Sprint QLD 
• Sarah Cliff Endurance NSW 
• Sophie Marr Endurance VIC 
• Tyler Puzicha Sprint NSW 
• Will Holmes Endurance SA 
• William Eaves Endurance TAS 

  
Developing 

• Alessia McCaig Sprint VIC 
• Alyssa Polites Endurance VIC 
• Amber Pate Endurance SA 
• Angus Miller Endurance SA 
• Ashlee Jones Endurance VIC 
• Bill Simpson Endurance VIC 
• Blake Quick Endurance QLD 
• Byron Davies Sprint QLD 
• Cameron Rogers Endurance ACT 
• Carlos Carisimo Sprint SA 
• Daniel Gandy Endurance NSW 
• Danny Barber Sprint NSW 
• Declan Trezise Endurance QLD 
• Devraj Grewal Endurance NSW 
• Emily Watts Endurance NSW 
• Francesca Sewell Endurance QLD 
• Georgia Whitehouse Endurance NSW 
• Henry Dietze Endurance VIC 
• John Trovas Sprint NSW 
• Jordan Villani Endurance VIC 
• Josie Talbot Endurance NSW 
• Kalinda Robinson Sprint NSW 
• Katarina Chung-Orr Endurance SA 
• Kurt Eather Endurance NSW 
• Liam Walsh Endurance QLD 
• Liliana McLennan Endurance QLD 
• Lucinda Stewart Endurance VIC 
• Maxwell Liebeknecht Sprint SA 
• Ned Pollard Sprint VIC 
• Oliver Bleddyn Endurance WA 
• Patrick Eddy Endurance VIC 
• Rohan Haydon-Smith Endurance NSW 
• Sam Gallagher Sprint VIC 
• Zac Marriage Endurance SA 

International Women’s Day is on March 8 and is a time to celebrate the extraordinary roles played, acts of courage and determination, and achievements by women across the world.

Across Australia, there are thousands of superwomen in the sport of cycling, from world-beating athletes, coaches, administrators, commissaires and local club legends who are the heartbeat of the cycling community.

For the first time, AusCycling has been united under one organisation for all the cycling disciplines and clubs, an organisation that will provide more opportunity for our women than ever, for equality, and for positive change.

Join Olympian and world champion Kate Bates as we celebrate International Women’s Day by chatting to seven of our amazing women in AusCycling.

Guests:

Marne Fechner: CEO of AusCycling - the first-ever female to run the sport of Cycling in Australia
Maeve Plouffe: Australian Cycling Team endurance cyclist - targeting Tokyo while studying a dual degree
Jessica McClelland: Vice President of the Hawthorn Cycling Club - is nurturing grassroots women’s participation
Lynne Munro: Australian Cycling Team Olympic Fast Track Program Coach championing for more female coaches
Natalya Diehm: BMX Freestyle trailblazer shining a light in a male-dominated discipline
Kimberly Conte: UCI Commissaire & World Tour Event Director, one of only a handful of female race directors worldwide
Rebecca McConnell: Aiming for a third Olympics, and has spent a decade on the world pro mountain biking tour
​
#LetsRideTogether #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge

Team Bike Exchange’s Sarah Roy, 34, stole the show on Sunday with a phenomenal victory in the women’s elite road race at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Buninyong. 

Roy’s teammate Grace Brown secured a one-two for Australia’s Women’s WorldTour outfit Team Bike Exchange, with Trek Segafredo’s Lauretta Hanson completing the podium with bronze. 
​
“I am feeling a sense of disbelief because I didn’t expect this today,” said Roy, who claimed the national criterium crown in Ballarat in 2014. “But I think that’s what makes it more exciting and makes you more emotional, I can’t believe it.” 

Beginning in near-freezing conditions, a field of 94 women set out on the 104.4km race, with the action warming up from the first of nine laps when Hanson attacked as the peloton hit the Mt Buninyong climb.  

Joining her was Roy, 2015 champion Peta Mullens (Roxsolt Liv SRAM), Matilda Raynolds (Specialized Women’s Racing), Kathryn McInerney, and Georgia Baker (Australian Cycling Team).  

The group opened a gap of nearly five minutes on the peloton before Roy attacked over the top of the climb at the midway point of the race.  

As the lead group splintered, Roy and Hanson moved to a lead of two minutes to the main chasing group, before Roy then shook clear of Hanson with three laps remaining and rode solo to a maiden road crown. 

“I still can’t believe it, I honestly didn’t expect this coming here today especially with the summer I’ve had, it just wasn’t a consideration for me at all to take the jersey,” said Roy, who will now wear the green and gold champion’s jersey in 2021.  

Despite the Team Bike Exchange car letting their rider know the title was hers inside the final kilometre, Roy never let up. 
​

“You can never have confidence on this course, anything can happen. You can just get pipped on the line so it’s not one to ride around feeling like you’ve got it.  

“So, I never felt that way even when with one kilometre to go when my car came up and said ‘you’ve got it’. But with 200 metres to go, I’m still checking my shoulder just in case. I never thought I had it in the bag until I crossed that line,” Roy added. 

After winning the Australian criterium championships in 2014, Roy was signed by Orica-Greededge, now Team Bike Exchange. Despite collecting several wins on the women’s tour over the past few seasons, Roy had spent previous women’s road national championships in support roles to former winners such as Amanda Spratt.  

“People have just presumed this course doesn’t suit me, but I’ve always thought it can suit me,” Roy said. “But I’ve always had this quiet little self-belief with thiscourse that one day I want to crack it. 

“I didn’t think it was going to be today, but I took advantage of my team role and that was to be in the break. I pushed the breakaway out a bit further and it paid off.” 

Team Bike Exchange made it a gold and silver double after a brilliant supporting ride from Grace Brown who stayed in the peloton with Lucy Kennedy and marked the dangerous riders such as 2019 champion Sarah Gigante (Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank) and ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast young gun Ruby Roseman-Gannon.  

After a successful team effort to protect Roy’s lead, Brown dashed the podium as she outsprinted Lauretta Hanson, Emily Watts (KOM Financial Knights of Suburbia) and SASI’s Amber Pate in the battle for the podium.  

“It’s always awesome to be up on the podium with your teammate,” said Brown, the 2018 and 2020 bronze medalist. “I’ve come third here twice, so it’s nice to increase that too. Hopefully, one year I can actually be on the top step, but I’m pretty stoked for my teammates to have won this today.” 

Third-placed Lauretta Hanson (Trek-Segafredo) was surprised but ecstatic with her podium appearance.  

“This a really tough course. Buninyong is a challenging climb and I’m not necessarily known for my climbing,” Hanson said. “My tactic was to get ahead of the race, and my teammate Chloe Hosking and I both wanted to be aggressive and see what opportunities unfolded. 

“I’m really excited to get a medal today. It’s not something I expected from a race like this.” 

A superb effort from rising star Emily Watts saw her cross the line in fifth place to claim the under 23 national title.  
​
“I feel pretty stoked because I’ve never felt like this before,” Watts explained. “As I crossed the line, I had no idea I had won the under 23s category, so when I notified of it, I was pretty shocked.” ​

An Olympic medallist, three-time world and seventeen-time national champion on the track, Annette Edmondson added a maiden road title to her resume after winning the elite women’s criterium at the 2021 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat.

As they have multiple times on the track in the team pursuit, Edmondson worked in unison with her Australian Cycling Team women’s track endurance teammates in Alex Manly, Georgia Baker and Ashlee Ankudinoff to seal the win.

“I really wanted to make this one work; I didn’t know if it might be my last opportunity,” Edmondson said. “So, I put my hand up to be the lead-out and luckily I had a really strong team in Ash Ankudinoff, Alex Manly and Georgia Baker who allowed me to just focus on myself at the back, relax as much as possible and trust they would control the bunch and luckily my legs were good enough at the finish.”

Edmondson was ahead of a crash which brought down several riders in the sprint to the finish, and after holding the wheel of Manly, an impeccably timed sprint to the line saw Edmondson take the win ahead of ARA’s Ruby Roseman-Gannon, with reigning champion Chloe Hosking (Trek Segafredo) rounding out a stunning podium.

“I didn’t see the crash as I was on second-wheel behind Alex but I looked back and there was quite a big gap so that meant there wasn’t going to be a big swarm at the finish line,” Edmondson explained. “We were able to stall it and wait as long as we could then Ruby kicked, and I had to go.”

The win even more special for Edmondson following a tough year which saw the cancellation of racing and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“It’s been a really tough twelve months so we’ve just tried to keep the head on as much as we can and keep pushing each week to week and train as if everything is going ahead,” said Edmondson. “I’m at the end now, I didn’t realise I was at the end until the Olympics got postponed and since then it’s just been really tough to try and motivate ourselves without any racing when that’s all we used to do.”

Maeve Plouffe was awarded gold in the under 23 classification after finishing fourth across the line behind the three elite podium placegetters, amazingly recovering from a crash early in the race. 

“It’s a really hectic race when we combine the elite women and the under-23 It adds a whole new dynamic to it because you’re potentially sprinting for fourth like it’s first which is what I was doing today,” said Plouffe.
​
“I was a little bit shaken after that crash I’m not going to lie, especially around that bottom corner, but I’m super happy I didn’t give up in the last straight”

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

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 

AusCycling is pleased to confirm the athletes who will receive memberships to the Australian Cycling Team for 2021

Significantly, the 2021 memberships are the first to be announced under the banner of AusCycling. Formed in November 2020, AusCycling represents all cycling disciplines and riders throughout Australia from club, recreational and commuter riders through to the Australian Cycling Team.

Memberships to the Team are limited and are only provided to athletes who have achieved, or have the potential to achieve, success at the highest level with 65 athletes confirmed across the disciplines of BMX Freestyle (3), BMX Racing (4), Mountain Bike Cross Country (1), Para-cycling (15), Road (13), Track Sprint and Endurance (15), and Podium Potential Academy (14).

Athletes are categorised as Podium, Podium Ready and Podium Potential based on their current level of performance, and their future potential to achieve Podium Performances in Olympic events at major championships. Support for the athletes varies according to the discipline. About the Australian Cycling Team Pathway.
Memberships are reviewed annually following the pinnacle event for the year, which for 2020 was to be the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the COVID-19 Pandemic causing significant disruptions and cancellations to the 2020 sporting calendar, the pinnacle event for 2021 will be the rescheduled Tokyo Games.

The Podium Potential Academy, now into its third year of operation, will focus on the long-term development of Track Sprint and Endurance athletes and success at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.

Also underpinning the Team is the national High-Performance Network of state institutes and academies which play a vital role in the athlete pathway by identifying and supporting a further crop of nearly 100 categorised Emerging and Developing athletes across Australia.

Simon Jones - Performance Director, Australian Cycling Team

"I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the selected athletes, as places in the Australian Cycling Team are limited and this often means making hard decisions. To the athletes not selected, we encourage you to keep pushing and be ready for opportunities as we do review the memberships annually."

"2020 showed us that we must take our opportunities when we can, to be agile, to be resilient, and that change is a certainty. While 2021 is likely to be very similar, we remain optimistic about the future."

"Looking ahead, 2022 will be very exciting as we will have a home Road World Championships in Wollongong and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Then in 2023, the first World Championships of cycling that integrates all disciplines of Para-cycling, BMX, Road, MTB and Track into a festival of cycling over two weeks."

About the Australian Cycling Team

The Australian Cycling Team (ACT) comprises athletes, coaches and performance support staff in Olympic and Paralympic cycling disciplines, underpinned by Australia's State and Territory High-Performance Network. Principal partners include the Australian Institute of Sport and Santini.

The ACT is part of AusCycling, the peak body for cycling in Australia. AusCycling is affiliated with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and partners with the Australian Olympic Committee; Commonwealth Games Australia and Paralympics Australia.

A full list of partners and supporters can be found here.

Athlete Memberships 2020/2021

BMX Racing - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Lauren Reynolds            WA           Podium Ready 
Anthony Dean                 SA            Podium Ready 
Saya Sakakibara            NSW        Podium Ready 
Isaac Kennedy                QLD         Podium Potential 
                                   
BMX Freestyle - Agreement Period: 1 December 2020 - 30 November 2021                         
Logan Martin                 QLD         Podium 
Brandon Loupos             NSW        Podium 
Natalya Diehm               QLD         Podium Potential 
                                   
MTB Cross-country - Agreement Period: 1 January 2021 - 31 July 2021                          
Rebecca McConnell               ACT          Podium 
                                   
Para-cycling - Agreement Period:  1 April 2020 - 31 March 2021                         
Carol Cooke (Road)                      VIC           Podium 
Alistair Donohoe (Road/Track)     VIC           Podium 
David Nicholas (Track/Road)       QLD          Podium 
Stuart Tripp (Road)                       VIC           Podium Ready 
Amanda Reid (Track)                    NSW         Podium 
Hannah Macdougall (Road)           VIC           Podium 
Grant Allen (Road)                         SA            Podium Ready 
Paige Greco (Track/Road)             SA            Podium 
Darren Hicks (Road/Track)           SA            Podium 
Meg Lemon (Road/Track)             SA             Podium 
Emily Petricola (Track/Road)       VIC           Podium 
Emilie Miller (Road)                      NSW        Podium 
Gordon Allan (Track)                    NSW        Podium  
Stuart Jones (Road)                      NSW        Podium 
Kaitlyn Schurmann (Road)           VIC           Podium 
                                   
Women's Road - Agreement Period: 1 January - 31 December 2021                        
Amanda Spratt        NSW         Podium 
Brodie Chapman     VIC           Podium Ready 
Grace Brown           VIC           Podium Ready 
Sarah Roy               NSW         Podium Ready 
Chloe Hosking        ACT          Podium Ready 
Lucy Kennedy         QLD          Podium Ready 
Sarah Gigante        VIC           Podium Potential 
                                   
Men's Road - Agreement Period: 1 January - 31 December 2021                        
Rohan Dennis                  SA            Podium 
Michael Matthews          ACT          Podium 
Caleb Ewan                     NSW         Podium Ready 
Jack Haig                        VIC           Podium Ready 
Simon Clarke                  VIC           Podium Ready 
Richie Porte                    TAS          Podium Ready 
                                   
Women's Track Endurance - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Ashlee Ankudinoff             NSW        Podium 
Georgia Baker                   TAS          Podium 
Annette Edmondson          SA            Podium 
Alexandra Manly               SA            Podium 
Maeve Plouffe                  SA            Podium 
                                   
Men's Track Endurance - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Cameron Meyer              WA           Podium 
Kelland O'Brien               VIC           Podium 
Alexander Porter             SA            Podium 
Leigh Howard                  VIC           Podium 
Samuel Welsford             WA           Podium 
Lucas Plapp                    VIC           Podium 
                                   
Women's Track Sprint  - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Kaarle McCulloch              NSW        Podium 
                                   
Men's Track Sprint - Agreement Period: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2021                               
Matthew Glaetzer             SA            Podium 
Nathan Hart                      ACT          Podium 
Matthew Richardson        WA           Podium 
                                   
Podium Potential Academy  - Agreement Period: 1 December 2020 - 30 November 2021                         
Alexandra Martin-Wallace   QLD        Podium Potential  
Sophie Edwards                   SA           Podium Potential  
Ruby Roseman-Gannon      VIC          Podium Potential  
Lauren Perry                       TAS          Podium Potential  
Chloe Moran                       SA             Podium Potential  
Conor Leahy                       WA           Podium Potential  
Joshua Duffy                      TAS          Podium Potential  
Graeme Frislie                  VIC           Podium Potential  
James Moriarty                 QLD         Podium Potential  
Jensen Plowright              VIC          Podium Potential  
James Brister                   SA            Podium Potential  
Tom Cornish                    NSW         Podium Potential  
Leigh Hoffman                 SA            Podium Potential  
Kristina Clonan                QLD         Podium Potential  

The Australian Cycling Team is pleased to announce the appointment of Rory Sutherland to the new position of Elite Road Coordinator, a part-time role based in Europe.  

Sutherland announced his retirement from racing last month, bringing an end to a professional career which spanned nearly twenty years on the UCI World Tour.  

Riding for professional teams including Rabobank, UnitedHealthcare, Saxo-Bank, Movistar, UAE Team Emirates, and most recently Israel Start-Up Nation, Sutherland was one of the most valued domestiques in the peloton.  

Based in Europe, Sutherland will work closely with Australia’s professional riders, prioritising Australian Cycling Team Individual Athlete Performance Support (IAPS) members.  

Sutherland will co-ordinate and provide technical direction to IAPS members, and assist identified National Team Road athletes as they prepare for elite international competition; with a focus on winning at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games. 

The Elite Road Coordinator will provide a conduit between Australian professional riders, their key support, professional teams and management and performance support staff.  

The role will require a combination of leadership and implementation of support to deliver world-leading outcomes through effective performance planning, athlete development, and evidence-based technical Australian Cycling Team programs for both women’s and men’s road events. 

QUOTES 

Rory Sutherland, Elite Road Coordinator

I am immensely proud to be joining Australian Cycling Team as Elite Road Coordinator. My new role will allow me to give back to the sport and program that showed me so much support the past twenty years and I look forward to working with everyone as Australia continues to reach new heights in cycling.  

Simon Jones, Performance Director, Australian Cycling Team  
​
With two decades of international experience, we believe Rory has a tremendous amount of knowledge and practical experience to bring to the team, and we are excited to be working with him. Rory’s focus in the short term will be to focus on maximising our medal chances for Tokyo and secondly contributing to our longer-term plans to sustain road success at major championships in the future. 

The Australian Cycling Team is seeking one or two contractor(s) to take on the role of Elite Road Co-Ordinator (Men’s and Women’s roles).

The successful applicant(s) will need to be based in Europe with the role to be on an interim basis for the period leading into the Tokyo Olympics.

These roles will provide a conduit between professional riders, their key support, professional teams and the Australian Cycling Team management and performance support staff in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics.

It is anticipated that these roles will require a maximum commitment of 1-2 day per week.

We are seeking people who are highly connected and respected within the men’s and women’s elite road racing environment, who will ensure regular communication channels are in place, and support implementation of actions to support our objectives.

Australia's Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) took seventh in the punishing men's road race at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Italy. 

Julian Alaphilippe (France) won gold and the rainbow jersey after launching a solo attach on the penultimate lap, with Wout Van Aert (Belgium) and Marc Hirschi (Switzerland) rounding out the podium.

​Matthews won the bunch sprint to take seventh, while Porte finished 25th. 

​"Really impressive ride by all of the boys, It was a super hard course and as a result, pretty much, there wasn't a whole lot of tactics and it was just a race of survival and attrition," said Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) ​ after contesting his tenth World Championship road race. "In terms of execution, I think the team rode great. We had quite a young group with maybe less experienced than normal, but everyone stepped up and did a super great job."

One hundred seventy-seven​ riders set out in the 258km race which took in nine 28-kilometre passes of a circuit located around the motorsport track in Imola. The race was set to be decided on the tough climbs of Mazzolano and the Cima Gallisterna which punctuated the 5000m of elevation.

Dual career road race medalist Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) and Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo), fresh off his Tour de France podium celebration, would spearhead the Australian team.

Veterans Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) and Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott), plus Chris Hamilton (Team Sunweb), Damien Howson (Mitchelton-Scott), Nicholas Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott) and debutant Jai Hindley (Team Sunweb) would support the pair.

A group of seven broke away at the start, and after establishing a lead of five minutes over the next five laps, they were caught by a surging peloton.

Superb team roles from Nick Schultz, Damian Howson and veteran Simon Clarke - in his tenth World Championship men’s road race - delivered Matthews and Porte to the front group to contest the decisive final few laps. 

On the penultimate lap, recently crowned Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar launched a solo attack which splintered the peloton across the circuit.

As the peloton chased the Slovenian on the final lap, numbers favoured the French, Belgian and Italian teams and they reeled in Pogacar with 20 kilometres remaining.

The pace continued to lift, and with peloton exploding up the final climb, Porte lost touch with the front group.

The rainbow jersey move came inside the final ten kilometres when Alaphilippe went clear, with Mathews unable to join the chasing group of five riders in the hunt for the medals. 

​Matthews won the bunch sprint to take seventh, while Porte finished 25th. 

"We looked after our leaders knowing that that the key to the race today was delivering them to the final lap and as fresh as possible," said Clarke. "Bling (Mathews) and Richie (Porte) really committed in that going into that last lap and came pretty close to getting over that last climb and really delivering, going close to winning at least a medal. 

"Bling was kind of hoping for a little bit better considering he was so close to getting over the top for that last climb with the front guys. 

"But in hindsight, it was a super ride what he was able to achieve nonetheless, and all the other guys from Durbo and Chris Hamilton in Schultzy and Damo and Jai were all super key in helping to deliver those two guys into the last lap as fresh as possible.

"That was the reason they (Mathews and Porte) were able to go so well," added Clarke.

Lucy Kennedy was Australia’s best place finisher in 28th overall in a tough women’s road race at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Imola, Italy which was won by Dutch rider Anna Van Der Breggen. 

On the eve of the Championships, two-time road race medallist Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) was forced out after injuries sustained in a crash in the Giro Rosa earlier in the month.

Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon–SRAM) came in to replace Spratt and joined Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott), Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott), Shara Marche (nee Gillow) (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Rachel Neylan (Cronos Casa Dorada Women Cycling) and Sarah Roy (Mitchelton-Scott). 

145 riders set out on the 143km race featured five laps of an undulating 28.km circuit with two punishing climbs and 2,800m of elevation. The climbs up Mazzolano (2.8km at an average of 5.9%, with 13% slopes at the bottom) and Cima Gallisterna (2.7km at 6.4% and a maximum of 14%) quickly splintered the peloton.

The race tempo lifted in the third lap, with a move from Grace Brown followed by a group of nine riders which established a gap of over two minutes. 

The challenging climbs splintered the peloton over the next few laps and on the penultimate lap, Van Der Breggen launched her winning attack. She rode the final 40km solo to win the rainbow jersey and become just the second woman to win both the time trial and road race in the same year. 

Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands) outsprinted Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) to take the silver medal and Marianne Vos finished 4th (+2’01’’) to complete the Dutch domination. 

It was a superb effort from Roy and Cromwell who set the pace at the front of the main bunch during the race as they attempted to protect key riders Kennedy and Chapman up the climbs. 
​
Kennedy finished in the main bunch, three minutes behind Van Der Breggen, with Chapman in 32nd and Neylan 51st. Roy finished 68th and Brown 91st. 

Full Results.

Lucy Kennedy

I'm content with my ride, being there still at the pointy end, but of course, left wanting more. This was my first time being a protected rider in a big one day race and I come away with mainly positive feelings about it.  I was really calm throughout the race thanks to all my teammates, Roy and Tiff in particular, who are exceptional in navigating the bunch. 

We were really cohesive as a team, often riding together and communicating well on a course that wasn't easy to do so. Brodie and I did our best to stay in the mix, but couldn't quite go with the pace up the second climb on each of the last two laps.

It was a very different approach to recent years and what we were expecting, with the late withdrawal of Spratty. Of course, we really missed her, but can be proud of how we conducted ourselves.

Sarah Roy

It’s so great that Imola managed to pull this event off! The race was tough. We knew it would be but it was a particularly challenging course with the fairly narrow fast roads with all the twists and turns and two very steep climbs - it was difficult to do all the things: eat, drink, position well, communicate and ride with your team mates but on the whole, we managed to tick off most of our process goals as a team. 

We definitely felt the absence of Spratty and I’m sad for her as this is a course well suited to her. I think for sure she would have been right in the mix again. 

Tiffany and I rode hard on the front to reduce the gap by about one minute and then we were out the back of the race with Brodie and Lucy in good position for those last two laps. They did really well to work together and stay with the first group but just lost touch near the end. Super tough day out but we did our best. 

Personally, I am satisfied with my ride for where I am at physically right now. I think I supported Lucy well as my person today, and It’s always really nice when you can do your job plus a little bit more. I’m really happy my dig on the front during lap four had an impact on the race and helped the team.

Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam 

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Men’s Road Race 

The Men’s Road Race will be contested on Sunday and will feature 5,000m of total climbing across 258.2km.

• Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) 10th elite road race 
• Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) 7th elite road race 
• Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott) 5th elite road race 
• Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) 3rd elite road race
• Chris Hamilton (Team Sunweb) 2nd elite road race
• Damien Howson (Mitchelton-Scott) 2nd elite road race 
• Nicholas Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott) 2nd elite road race
• Jai Hindley (Team Sunweb) Debut 

Watch Live

Sunday 27 September 
Men's Elite Road Race - 1750 AEST 
​SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30

Two-time defending champion Rohan Dennis (Ineos Grenadiers) finished fifth and Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott) fifteenth in the men’s time trial at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Italy on Friday. 

The world’s best set a fast pace over the 31.7-kilometre loop around the Imola Autodrome with four-time national champion Durbridge posting the second-fastest time of the day with his ride, despite the heavy wind and rain which battered the riders and the course early in the day. ​

Dennis, who claimed the crown in 2018 and 2019, was chasing a historic third consecutive crown and a place on the honour rolls next to Germany's Tony Martin (2011-12-13) and fellow Australian Michael Rogers (2003-04-05). 

The final rider to take to the course, Dennis was second fastest after 14.9km, twenty seconds behind his Ineos Grenadiers teammate Filippo Ganna who blitzed his home track with the fastest time of 35 minutes 54.10 seconds.

Dennis fought to the line, but would eventually finish 39-seconds behind Ganna who became the first Italian to claim a time trial Road World Championships. Dennis was quick to congratulate Ganna on his achievement.

The podium was completed by Belgium's Wout van Aert and Switzerland’s Stefan Küng.

The Championships continue with the road races on the weekend. 

2020 Australian Team 

Saturday 26 September - Women’s Road Race - Live on SBS from 2035 AEST 

• Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon–SRAM)
• Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope)
• Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Shara Marche (nee Gillow) (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope)
• Rachel Neylan (Cronos Casa Dorada Women Cycling) 
• Sarah Roy (Mitchelton-Scott)

Sunday 27 September - Men’s Road Race - Live on SBS from 1750 AEST

• Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling)
• Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Chris Hamilton (Team Sunweb) 
• Jai Hindley (Team Sunweb)
• Damien Howson (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb)
• Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo)
• Nicholas Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott)

Watch Live

Saturday 26 September
Women's Elite Road Race - 2035 AEST 
SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30 

Sunday 27 September 
Men's Elite Road Race - 1750 AEST 
​SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30

Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam 

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Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott) produced a stunning ride to claim a top five finish in the time trial at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Imola, Italy. 

"There's always that little hope hidden away that you can like win even if though it's your first World Champs, I was realistically aiming for top 10, so I'm really happy with the results," said Brown, 28, in her debut World Championship time trial. "This is pretty epic. It's sort of the first time that I've really been able to step up on my own accord and ride for myself and show where I stand against the best girls in the world. 

"I always believed that I could be up there with them. But now I can show that with a result."

Brown launched from the start gate to cover the 31.7km course in a time of 41mins 21.3seconds, the fastest time of the day to put her in the hot seat. 

However, Anna van der Breggen (NED) would eclipse the Australian's time and claim the rainbow jersey in a winning time of 40mins 20secs, 15 seconds ahead of Marlen Reusser (Switzerland), with Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) a further 16 seconds behind. 

"I was just wanting to go out and ride my fastest race and not worry too much about everyone else," said Brown. "I only got the info that I was up once when Ellen van Dyk when I went through the final checkpoint. It was just a bit of a confidence boost going into the last five kilometres. 

"I had a time in mind that I came in under and I really wanted to push super hard in the first half because it was into a headwind. And I believe that that's where the race was won or lost, really. I think I managed to pace the race, to my strength and to the course."

Brown, a former runner, began her cycling journey in 2015 when, after multiple Cycling Australia National Road Series victories and fifth overall at the 2018 Tour Down Under, Brown was awarded 2018 Amy Gillett Foundation Scholarship. 

In 2018, Brown went on to make her Australian Team debut at the UCI Road World Championships and would contest a host of WorldTour events for Women's WorldTour pro team Mitchelton-Scott. In 2019, Brown claimed the Australian time trial title and a stage of the Santos Tour Down Under but was forced out of the 2019 World Championships due to injury.
 
"We're not here just to participate we're here to be the best and that's what we're trying to do," said Brown, who claimed dual medals at the 2020 Cycling Australia Road National Championships with time trial silver and road race bronze. 

"I think it's a common thing amongst elite athletes to have that belief that you can do something special otherwise we wouldn't be here at all. I think you've got to have that belief to push yourself." 

Brown will now take her place in Saturday's women's road race in an Australian team with Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon–SRAM), Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott), Shara Marche (nee Gillow) (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Rachel Neylan (Cronos Casa Dorada Women Cycling) and Sarah Roy (Mitchelton-Scott). 

Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) was forced out after injuries sustained in a crash in the Giro Rosa.

"We've built up behind Spratty, and it always been the plan to read for her as our sole leader. So it's a bit of a shake-up to take her out of the equation. But, I think we can use all the strengths that we have amongst us to ride a really smart race. 

"Personally, I haven't had the chance to like, go out around the road course get with the other girls. But I'll be looking at that tomorrow. I'm sure Gene's got to get a good plan in store for us."​

SBS will broadcast the elite women's and men's time trial and elite women's and men's road races in the 2020 world road race championships from Imola race circuit in Italy.

Thursday 24 September
Women's Elite Time Trial - 2240 AEST 
SBS On Demand

Friday 25 September
Men's Elite Time Trial - 2225 AEST 
SBS On Demand

Saturday 26 September
Women's Elite Road Race - 2035 AEST 
SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30 

Sunday 27 September 
Men's Elite Road Race - 1750 AEST 
​SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30

The 2020 UCI Road World Championships will begin with the time trials in Imola with two-time defending champion Rohan Dennis (INEOS Grenadiers), Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott) and Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott) set to tackle the race against the clock.

Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott) is back on the team after missing the 2019 World Championships due to injury. 

"It's super exciting. Being back on the Australian team and being able to put on the green and gold uniform again. Last year, I didn't get to line up due to a crash that happened close to the event. So this year, it's really special to be back and I'm excited to race for Australia. 

"I've just come off nine days of racing at the Giro with Mitchelton-Scott. It was a bit of a roller coaster of a tour for us. We went in with high ambitions with our leaders, but unfortunately, they both had to abandon the race after a crash on stage seven. It was a super tough race. But I think it really put me in a good position in terms of my form. And I felt good throughout the whole race. I think for the World Championships, I should be in good shape. 

"It's a pretty awesome time to course and it suits me a lot. We've got quite a flat, flat start a few corners, but nothing too technical. And then in the last couple of cases, there's three nice little pinches towards the end and a little bit more technical, but I think it's going to be a fast race, and I've got high hopes for how I'm going to perform in this race."

Reigning national champion Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott) is a fan of the Imola course. 

"I really like it, it is really fast. Quite short, but it has a lot of different aspects. I think it will be a nice spectacle, with a few nice rides that roll along the back straight with the vineyards along the side. 
 
"I think it is a good course for myself, I'm liking it and looking forward to it."

Rohan Dennis (INEOS Grenadiers) is seeking a historic third straight crown. 

"The Worlds has been on my mind throughout the lockdown. Regardless of the category it is always a great honour to race with the rainbow jersey. Every time I wear it I race to win.

"I am in good shape. It is always very special to participate in the most important race of the year, but to get a chance to fight for a win for the third time in a row and join an exclusive group of champions who have achieved this feat will be fantastic” 

Start Times / Lists 

Time Trial - Women - Thursday 24 September - Start List 

• Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott) 15:28:00 Local / 23:28 AEST 

Time Trial - Men - Friday 25 September - Start List

• Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott) 14:55:30 Local / 22:55:30 AEST 
• Rohan Dennis (Ineos Grenadiers) 15:54:00 Local / 23:54:00 AEST 

 
Watch Live

SBS will broadcast the elite women's and men's time trial and elite women's and men's road races. 

• Thursday 24 September Women's Elite Time Trial - 2240 AEST  SBS On Demand
• Friday 25 September Men's Elite Time Trial - 2225 AEST  SBS On Demand
• Saturday 26 September Women's Elite Road Race - 2035 AEST  SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30 
• Sunday 27 September Men's Elite Road Race - 1750 AEST  SBS On Demand - switch to SBS VICELAND at 22:30

Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam 

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Cycling Australia can confirm two changes have been made to the Australian National Team for the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Imola, Italy from 24-27 September 2020. 

Lucas Hamilton (Mitchelton-Scott) and Jack Haig (Mitchelton-Scott) have withdrawn from the team and will be replaced by Chris Hamilton (Team Sunweb) and Nicholas Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott).
​
The 2020 World Championships format will include the elite categories only. The Championships’ challenging road race routes will see the men take on 5,000 metres of climbing on a 259.2km course, while the women will tackle 2,750 metres of climbing over their 144km course. The time trial course will feature a flat 32km circuit.

2020 Australian Team 

Women’s Road Race

• Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Brodie Chapman (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope)
• Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Shara Marche (nee Gillow) (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope)
• Rachel Neylan (Cronos Casa Dorada Women Cycling) 
• Sarah Roy (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott)

Men’s Road Race

• Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling)
• Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Chris Hamilton (Team Sunweb) 
• Jai Hindley (Team Sunweb)
• Damien Howson (Mitchelton-Scott)
• Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb)
• Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo)
• Nick Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott)

Women’s Time Trial

• Grace Brown (Mitchelton-Scott)

Men’s Time Trial

• Rohan Dennis (Ineos Grenadiers)
• Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott)

More #AusCyclingTeam 

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2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and be willing to support those around us.

Cycling Australia encourages all coaches, athletes and our cycling community to take time on Thursday 10 September to reflect on R U OK? Day and how we each make time in our relationships for asking R U OK? and remember, there is more to say after R U OK?

Australian Cycling Team staff and athletes will gather together on Thursday 10 September for a morning tea and walk two laps of the Adelaide Superdrome to highlight R U OK? Day and the importance of creating space for conversations.

#RUOKDay is on Thursday 10 September and is a reminder that a conversation could change a life. This year we are learning what to say after R U OK? so we can keep the conversation going when someone says “No, I’m not OK”. Resources are available at www.ruok.org.au

#RUOK is an important question but there’s more to say after R U OK? If someone says they’re not OK, make time to listen, encourage action and check-in. That conversation could change, or even save, their life.

You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK. By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life

More on R U OK? 

People are also encouraged to learn what to say after R U OK? and download R U OK? resources from ruok.org.au for tips and ideas to help them share the message in their community.

Useful contacts for someone who is not OK - Encourage them to talk to a trusted health professional or call on these Australian crisis lines and professionals:
​

• Lifeline (24/7) 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service (24/7) 1300 659 467 suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• Beyond Blue (24/7) 1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au
• Kids Helpline (24/7) 1800 55 1800 kidshelpline.com.au 

​The Australian Cycling team is participating in R U OK? Day with support from AIS; and the Podium Potential Academy is proudly supported by Commonwealth Games Australia.

In response to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, Cycling Australia (CA) wish to make public its current position on its international competition activities. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) currently advises there is a ban on overseas travel from Australia. Australian citizens cannot leave Australia without an exemption from DFAT.

Our primary concern is the health of our athletes and staff. As such, CA will not be conducting any national team campaigns or projects outside of Australia before 1 January 2021 with the following possible exceptions: 

1. CA’s position may be reconsidered for activities in New Zealand in the event there is a government-endorsed Trans-Tasman travel bubble.
2. CA’s position may be reconsidered for the 2020 UCI Road World Championships, the 2020 UCI MTB World Championships, the 2020 MTB Marathon World Championships, 2020 season Mountain Bike World Cups and remaining 2020 season BMX World Cups. 

When considering its position in relation to the above events, CA will consider a range of factors including but not limited to the most up-to-date DFAT position, the current COVID-19 position of the host country, information from the UCI and Event Organisers, and the ability of CA to appropriately provide for the health and safety of the team and the community.

In respect of the 2020 UCI Road World Championships, CA will continue to monitor the situation. CA will only consider selecting and endorsing entries for Elite riders. Riders in these categories wishing to be considered will need to have been based in Europe for a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the date of the start of the competition in question. 

For the avoidance of doubt, CA will not enter any U19 (UCI Junior category) riders in any overseas events over which it has entry jurisdiction between now and 31 December 2020 (regardless of any potential exceptions listed above) and will not be selecting U23 riders for the 2020 UCI Road World Championships. 

Decisions in relation to mountain bike events will be reached in conjunction with MTBA. Decisions in relation to BMX events will be reached in conjunction with BMXA. 

​CA will continue to monitor the global situation and reserves the right to modify its approach to its activities as the situation develops over the next few months.

Below is an update on the nomination processes for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, plus a notice regarding no Australian Team selection for the 2020 UCI Junior Track World Championships in August, in Egypt. 

Olympic & Paralympic Nominations Update

Following the deferral of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games until 2021 and recent Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announcements, Cycling Australia (CA) can make the following updates with regards to nomination processes for the following teams after the suspension of the qualification periods as of 3 March 2020.

For Mountain Bike, BMX Freestyle and BMX Race (Supercross), the Olympic qualification periods for which should have ended on 11 May 2020, 27 May 2020 and 1 June 2020 respectively, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) replied favourably to the following propositions from the UCI:

• Mountain Bike Cross Country (XCO): The points awarded at two weekends of the UCI MTB XCO World Cup during the 2021 season will be added to those taken into account in the ranking of 3 March 2020. The weekends are still to be determined and will be communicated at a later date.
• BMX Freestyle: The points awarded at two weekends of the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup during the 2021 season will be added to those taken into account in the ranking of 3 March 2020. The weekends are still to be determined and will be communicated at a later date.
• BMX Race: The points awarded at two weekends of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup during the 2021 season and at the 2020 UCI BMX World Championships will be added to those taken into account in the ranking of 3 March 2020. The remaining UCI World Cup weekends are still to be determined and will be communicated at a later date.  CA will also await further updates from UCI as to the rescheduled dates for the 2020 UCI World Championships and the 2021 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup schedule.

With regards to Para-cycling and Road:  
​

• Para-cycling: The UCI Management Committee has approved a modified qualification system based on the principles applied for the Olympic qualification process mentioned above. This is awaiting approval from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The points gained in the UCI combined nations ranking up until 3 March 2020 will remain valid and will see the addition of points earned in the first two rounds of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup for the 2021 season. The weekends are still to be confirmed and will be announced at a later date.
• Road: Cycling Australia will add several races from the 2020 calendar to the Olympic nomination document but races in 2021 will be weighted with higher importance. The selection window will be frozen for the majority of the 2020 season and will resume before the 2020 UCI Road World Championships and will include events up until the end of April 2021.

“With specific regard to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) nomination process, we will continue with our approach to nominate athletes with medal-winning potential as a priority,” said Performance Director Simon Jones.

“These changes to the qualification window simply mean we have more time to get those nation quotas that will support our medal targets. With COVID-19 looking like it's under control in Australia, we will need to make the best of this situation and work towards 2021 goals.”

No Cycling Australia National Team Selection for 2020 UCI Junior Track World Championships

Due to the Australian Government’s international travel bans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, CA will not be selecting a team to compete at the 2020 UCI Junior Track World Championships which are scheduled for 16 - 21 August 2020, in Egypt. 

“It is unfortunate that we have had to make this decision, but the health and safety of our athletes and staff team is paramount,” said Performance Director Simon Jones.
 
“As a high-performance network, we will continue to create domestic opportunities for developing athletes as we have done recently with the Under 19 Individual Time Trial camp and the High Performance Network (HPN) virtual camps in April.” 

Updates on the next camp will be communicated shortly.

Following a review of the Australian Cycling Team’s Performance Strategy and operations, Cycling Australia is undertaking an operational restructure of the Australian Cycling Team which will support its objectives for Tokyo 2021 while underpinning the athlete pathway and coach development through to 2024 and beyond. 

A review was scheduled to take place after the completion of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, however, the review was brought forward to ensure a smooth transition to new operations ahead of the rescheduled Games in 2021 and a shortened performance cycle through to Paris 2024. 

This restructure does not represent a change of strategy, but rather a refinement of the way the current strategy is delivered. The objective of the restructure, which is primarily focused on the track and para programs, is to maximise performance by supporting and developing coaches to deliver and lead their programs with tighter performance support teams, meaning that communication, training, and preparation will be streamlined.

As a result of the changes detailed above, eleven roles will be restructured, resulting in seven staff members leaving the team, with a further four staff members being offered refocused roles. The Team will recruit a number of new roles including a Director of Coaching and Director of Performance Pathways. 

Steve Drake, CEO, Cycling Australia: “I would like to thank the departing staff members for their significant contributions to the Australian Cycling Team during their tenures. While we are very conscious of the timing of these decisions, the deferral of the Olympic and Paralympic Games necessitated these changes being made now and is in the best interests of the athletes and the broader performance team.”

Simon Jones, Performance Director, Australian Cycling Team: “With the delay of Tokyo 2020 and the interruption of normal performance activity due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we believe that it is in the best interests of the entire program to complete a review and to implement this restructure now. 

“The period post-Tokyo 2021 will see a condensed competition phase that includes the 2021 Road and Track Cycling World Championships, Paralympic and Olympic Nation / World Cups, followed shortly by Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 which is a major objective for the team.
 
“We believe these changes increase our chance of success in 2021 with more focussed and strategically aligned teams, and at the same time we will look closely at our pathway strategies over the coming months to ensure we have a surplus of talent creating upward pressure in the pathway to meet Cycling’s 2024 and 2028 medal potential.” ​

The Australian Cycling Team is pleased to announce the Athlete Memberships across all disciplines for 2020/21.

In all, 62 athletes will feature across the Para-cycling Track and Road (15), Track Sprint and Endurance (17), BMX Race and Freestyle (7), Road (13), and Podium Potential Academy (10) programs after being classified in the Podium, Podium Ready and Podium Potential categories. About the Australian Cycling Team Pathway. 

The Para-cycling (Track and Road) memberships include reigning Paralympic and world champions Carol Cooke and David Nicholas, plus Emily Petricola and Darren Hicks in a 15-athlete squad.  

The Track program is highlighted by Matthew Glaetzer, Stephanie Morton, Annette Edmondson and Samuel Welsford and welcomes three new members in Matthew Richardson (Sprint), Maeve Plouffe and Lucas Plapp (Endurance) who have progressed through the Podium Potential Academy^ pathway. 

In BMX, three athletes - Natalya Diehm (BMX Freestyle) and Lauren Reynolds and Izaac Kennedy (BMX Race) will receive Individual Athlete Performance Support (IAPS) memberships. The trio joins reigning world champion Brandon Loupos, 2017 world champion Logan Martin, plus Saya Sakakibara and Anthony Dean. 

Amanda Spratt, Chloe Hosking, Rohan Dennis and Michael Matthews headline the Road IAPS memberships, with five new athlete memberships to be provided to Brodie Chapman, Grace Brown, Sarah Gigante, Jay McCarthy and Lucas Hamilton.   

The Podium Potential Academy has inducted four new members in Leigh Hoffman (Sprint), Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Joshua Duffy (Endurance/Road), in addition to Kristina Clonan who will transition from the Podium Track Endurance to the Academy’s Sprint program. Caitlin Ward (Sprint) will receive transitional support as she exits the program.

The Para-cycling (Track and Road) will see six riders exit the program in Kieran Murphy, Brad Henderson (retirement), Michael Shippley, Darcy Thompson, plus Tandem pilots Lachlan Glasspool and Luke Zaccaria.  The latter four will transition to their respective High-Performance Network (HPN) state-based programs. 

Macey Stewart and Cameron Scott will exit the Podium Track Endurance program, while in Road, Rachel Neylan, Gracie Elvin, Shara Gillow, Nathan Haas, Luke Durbridge, and Richie Porte exited in December 2019.

Caroline Buchanan (BMX Race) has not been offered a new BMX IAPS membership, however, she will receive transitional support until August 2020. Kai Sakakibara (BMX Race) is receiving support as he continues recovery and rehabilitation following a racing accident in February.
  
“As we continue to prepare for the resumption of racing, and ultimately the Olympics and Paralympics in 2021, the confirmation of athlete memberships gives everyone a chance to continue to sharpen their focus on their preparation and individual progress and development,” said Simon Jones, Australian Cycling Team Performance Director. 

“I would like to thank those team members exiting the program for their commitment to their own personal development and to the Australian Cycling Team program as a whole. 

“Re-entry to the program for these athletes is possible. Sometimes, stepping back and taking time away from something can be a way to move forward if their ambition and desire remain.”

^ About the Podium Potential Academy - Launched in November 2018 with an inaugural class of thirteen athletes across both endurance and sprint disciplines, the PPA programme, which is supported and partly funded by Commonwealth Games Australia, focuses on the long term development of athletes orientated around success at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and through to the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.
​
Australian Cycling Team Athlete Membership 2020/2021 - Full list (PDF)

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

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