 The Australian Team has departed the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria, finishing equal third on the medal table behind the Netherlands and Belgium. Three medals; gold in the elite men’s ITT, silver in the elite women’s RR and a silver in the junior men’s ITT making this one of the best all-around performances in recent years.
Rohan Dennis etched his name into the record books with a storming ride to claim his maiden individual time trial world title, finishing some 1:21 ahead of warm favourite Tom Dumoulin. Dennis became just the second Australian to win the event after Michael Rogers claimed three consecutive titles between 2003 and 2005. Amanda Spratt rode alone for the final 40km of the women’s road race on her way to a silver medal. She had been one of the main protagonists in a competitive and entertaining race and is just the sixth Australian woman in sixty years to reach a World Championship road race podium. Spratt was supported as a protected leader for the first time at the World Championships, and all assembled impressively rose to the occasion. Lucy Kennedy called it “showtime” when she lit up the race on the first ascent of Igls while keeping something in reserve to nullify attacks before Spratt slipped into what was the start of the winning move. Earlier in the week, Luke Plapp claimed silver in the junior men's time trial, adding to his dual track world titles won at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Switzerland in August. The final race of the World Championships saw the men's road race, with the super demanding course profile delivering on its promise of pain, pain and more pain. The pressure and strain were evident at 90 kilometres to go with several riders being dropped from the main peloton including three-time reigning world champion Peter Sagan. The finale was a hotly contested affair with Valverde (Spain) winning from Romain Bardet (France) and Michael Woods (Canada). Jack Haig capped off a strong 2018 season with 19th place, 1min 21secs behind the winner, after being in all the right moves in the final 20 km. Rob Power (70th) was the only other Australian finisher on a day which saw more DNFs than riders cross the finish line. In both road races, the teamwork and commitment to the race strategy were impressive, with all riders playing their part in the race results. In other results, Callum Scotson finished tenth in the under 23 time trial, and Jai Hindley was the best placed Australian in 11th in the under 23 road race, both bagging good results amongst high-quality opposition. Debutants Sarah Gigante and Anya Louw gained useful experience in their junior time trial and road race campaigns, with the two 17-year olds producing top 20 Time Trial results. Australian Cycling Team Performance Director Simon Jones: “Overall we had a really pleasing World Championships, and it is very satisfying to see the result of good pre-planning that led to good delivery on the day. “It’s been a terrific collective effort, and I want to pay tribute to all involved this week in Austria. The manner in which the riders came together as a team and the way the staff worked as a unit in the lead-up and throughout the week in Innsbruck. It was excellent. “Having said that, we have already started reviewing and looking at areas for improvement, with an eye on Yorkshire in 2019 and Tokyo 2020."
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 Photo - Craig Dutton Australian teenager Saya Sakakibara is celebrating after claiming the win in the final UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, which also secured second overall for the Wollongong cyclist on the year-end international rankings. “I am so over the moon,” said Sakakibara, 19. “I am so incredibly grateful for my support, and for the Australian Cycling Team for supporting me all the way and giving me the opportunity to race each round this year, especially when I contested no World Cups last year." Round 8 FInalSantiago del Estero, Argentina, hosted the final two rounds of the season, with Sakakibara lucky to escape with just scrapes and bruises after spectacularly crashing out of the Round 7 semi-final on Saturday when a rider crashed and took her wheels from under her. Recovering in time for Sunday’s eighth and final round, Sakakibara lead from the gate, and with former world champion Alise Willoughby (USA) and reigning world champion Laura Smulders (Netherlands) breathing down her neck, she surged to the victory with judges awarding the win to the Australian in a photo finish. “I did not expect that (win) especially after yesterday crash, I was kind of shaken up a little bit and little fearful coming into today. However, I got a good start and an excellent first straight, and I was able to make it work all the way to the finish line.” ROUND 7 SF CRASHSakakibara finished second behind world champion Laura Smulders (Netherlands) on the BMX Supercross rankings after a season that included one win and four podium appearances, in addition to claiming sixth in her first elite career World Championship final. “My aim this year was to gain as much experience as possible, and I did exactly that. I was able to get some wins and podiums along the way, I couldn’t be happier with this season,” said Sakakibara, who will now head back to Australia to continue preparations towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “I am really looking forward to getting back into the offseason, gaining strength, and hopefully I will come back faster and definitely will have more confidence heading into next season. “Every race is critical from now on in terms of Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020, and I will be aiming for the top, for the podium, all the way to the Olympics. “I am working so hard to making sure I am going to be there.” In the men’s finals, Rio Olympic finalist Anthony Dean took bronze in round eight. PHOTOSCopyright Craig Dutton 
Australia’s Amanda Spratt soloed the final 40km to claim a stunning silver in the women’s road race the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in Austria.
Reigning Olympic champion Anna Van der Breggen (Netherlands) soloed the final 39 kilometres of the race to to claim one of the most dominant victories ever seen at a World Championships. She finished over three minutes ahead of Spratt, with former world champion Tatiana Guderzo (Italy) taking bronze. “I honestly I think I can be really proud with the silver medal. It caps off a great season for me,” said Spratt, who became just the sixth Australian woman in sixty years to reach the World Championships' road race podium.
Spratt, Grace Brown, Brodie Chapman, Tiffany Cromwell, Shara Gillow, Lucy Kennedy and Sarah Roy, were among the 149 starters to set out on the 156km course which featured an 85km loop before three punishing laps of a 24km circuit with 2400m of vertical climbing.
Spratt was caught up in a early crash but recovered and with the help of team mate Kennedy, was able to remain at the front of the race and in touch of the pre race favourite Dutch team and form part of the crucial breakaway. On the penultimate lap, Van der Breggen launched herself from the main field to join Spratt's group, and despite her best efforts, Spratt was unable to keep the wheel of the Dutchwoman. Van der Breggen soloed to the biggest winning margin in thirty years (3mins 42secs), while Spratt powered the final 40km home on her own to finish two minutes ahead of Guderzo. “It was a tough race out there, the whole team did an incredible job throughout the first stage to get me fresh to the final,” said Spratt, whose season has included victory at the Santos Women's Tour Down Under and Emakumeen Bira, a stage win at the Giro Rosa and podiums at Amstel Gold and at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. “That meant I could get into that break before the second last climb where I knew the Dutch would attack. I was waiting for that move. “Anna came across so quickly, I really tried to hold her wheel up that climb. She was honestly on another level today, she really deserves that title.” WATCH THE RACE
Photo © Casey Gibson
Brunswick Cycling Club's Luke Plapp claimed silver in the junior men's time trial at the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria.
Plapp powered across the 27.8km course to post the fastest time of the day to that point, however Belgian Remco Evenepoel powered home to claim gold almost one and a half minutes ahead of the Australian. Italian Andrea Piccolo claimed bronze. The medal adds to the Melbourne cyclist's dual track world titles (Points Race & Madison) he won at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Switzerland in August. WATCH >>> See Luke's ride here
Luke Plapp
I woke up so excited, just wanted to race and send it! 'No nerves, no hope' I thought to myself when the butterflies started flying around! I wasn't sure how to feel about my time crossing the line. I was confident my time would be up there, but little did I know how much it would get beaten by! Pretty stoked with the silver and has been an unreal couple of months. It is a bitter-sweet feeling of silver. 'Never put a number on to come second' but there was nothing I could have done to get the top step! The course was crazy, it had a little bit of everything. So many climbs and so many descents! PHOTOS
Copyright Casey Gibson
 Cycling Australia is today announcing that 24-year-old Queenslander Nick Schultz from Caja Rural - Seguros RGA will be joining the Australian Cycling Team in Innsbruck, Austria as part of the men's road race team.
Nick Schultz: “It is an honour to be selected to represent Australia at the World Championships. I will give my maximum to deliver whatever is required. I would also like to wish Richie a speedy recovery and thank Cycling Australia for their faith in selecting me.” Australian Cycling Team Performance Director Simon Jones: “Nick is coming into the team in a specific climbing support role. He has just completed the Vuelta and he has the form and desire to contribute to the team strategy. I want to thank Nick for taking up this late opportunity”. The UCI Road World Championships will take place in Innsbruck-Tirol (Austria), from 22 to 30 September 2018.  Cycling Australia regrets to announce that due to illness, Richie Porte will not be at the start line for the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria. Despite plans for the Vuelta a España to serve as a perfect preparation for the challenging Worlds course, illness in the last week of the Vuelta has persisted post event. Richie Porte: "I'm really disappointed to miss the road race. It was a big goal for me at the end of the season and I had been training and racing with the road race in mind. However, recent illness means my preparation has been far from ideal and for a race of this difficulty, with more than 4600metres of climbing, you need to have the best preparation possible to be up there. Within the Cycling Australia team, we have decided that it is in the team's best interests if my place goes to someone else. I wish the whole Aussie team the best and will be cheering them on from home." BMC Racing Team Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Max Testa: “Richie developed an upper respiratory infection towards the end of the Vuelta a España which has required him to take antibiotics and stop training. He will need a few more days off the bike to recover properly which means it does not make sense for him to line up at the Worlds Championships. Richie will resume training next week and will be able to race again this season.” Australian Cycling Team Performance Director Simon Jones: “No one is more disappointed than Richie, and he knows he won't be able to perform to his high expectations. “The team has worked really hard behind the scenes to pull the game plan together, and we will regroup and refocus during the week ahead.” Cycling Australia is considering its options with regards to a replacement for Porte in the team. The UCI Road World Championships will take place in Innsbruck-Tirol (Austria), from 22 to 30 September 2018.  Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the BMX Freestyle selections for the Australian team which will contest the 2018 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in China in November.
BMX ‘Freestyle Park’, which will make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, sees cyclists perform a series of tricks during their ‘1 minute run’ across a ramp-filled course. Riders’ tricks are judged based on difficulty, originality, style and execution. The Australian team in China will be headlined by the Gold Coast’s Logan Martin who claimed the first-ever rainbow jersey on offer in the discipline in 2017. 2018 began ominously for Martin following a training crash in March which broke his collarbone in four places and forced him to miss the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup. Martin recovered in time to contest the Series’ second round in May where he finished second, before storming to a third-round win in July and gold in the BMX Park Final at the X-Games in the USA later that month. “I’m stoked to have another opportunity to ride the UCI World Championship again this year and represent Australia,” said Martin, who currently sits fourth overall on the World Cup standings. “To have won the first-ever UCI BMX Freestyle World Championship last year was mind-blowing to me and I will most definitely be going for the gold medal again this year. “I have had a rough start to the year, but my main focus was to get back to full strength leading into July’s World Cup and X-Games in which I won both Park events. “It has been a much better start to the second half, and I’m feeling really good and strong on my bike. I’m looking forward to the next few events and to finish off the year strongly.” Brandon Loupos celebrated victory in the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup, however, in unfortunate circumstances, the Sydney rider suffered a bike mechanical in round two and had his bike stolen just three hours before the final in round three. The Gold Coast’s Kyle Baldock and Melbourne's Jake Wallwork round out the selections. The 2018 UCI Urban Cycling Worlds Championships will take place in Chengdu, China, from 7-11 November 2018. More → www.urbanworlds.cn Follow the Australian Cycling Team - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Australian Team - 2018 UCI Urban Cycling Worlds Championships
 The 2018 UCI World Road Championships will be held in Innsbruck, Austria from 23 September.
The Australian Cycling Team will contest the elite, under 23 and under 19 road races and time trials from Monday 24 September. Australian Cycling Team Racing Schedule Times are approximate AEST 24/09 Monday
25/09 Tuesday
26/09 Wednesday
27/09 Thursday
28/09 Friday
29/09 Saturday
30/09 Sunday
Watch live Catch the action live from Austria via SBS OnDemand online/app, plus SBS Viceland TV! Keep an eye on the SBS website for broadcast times. Follow online Australian team via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Road Worlds via Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. 
Photo © UCI
The Australian Cycling Team enjoyed a successful week at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland, with three world titles, nine medals and a handful of world and Australian records.
Melbourne’s Luke Plapp celebrated dual world titles in the points race and in the Madison with Blake Quick (QLD) (read more here), while Sydney’s Thomas Cornish stormed to the kilometre time trial world title in world record time (read more here). Leigh Hoffman (SA) set a new Australian record in the men’s sprint, while Sophie Edwards (SA) broke Amy Cure’s eight-year-old national mark in the individual pursuit. Summary Gold
Melbourne’s Sarah Gigante left the World Championships with a silver medal and smile as wide as the Aigle velodrome after coming to within one sprint of a world title. “I don't think I have ever been so excited for a race,” Gigante told Cycling Australia. “Not only was the experience of racing for my country, at a world level and overseas, completely foreign and novel but it was made especially special by the fact that I had had no clue whether I would be healed in time to race for about three months.” It was a battle to make it to the start line in Aigle after the six-time 2018 national champion crashed on a descent in a club road race in May which left her with a broken left elbow, left shoulder and right wrist. Surgery quickly followed for the Brunswick Cycling Club rider before she suffered another blow after dislocating her shoulder on one of her first recovery rides. “Even most of the doctors I saw laughed when I said that I wanted to race in August, so you can imagine that I felt beyond grateful and fortunate to have the chance to pull on the treasured green and gold.” It was a quick start to the points race, with Gigante figuring in the first serious attack from a group of riders which took a lap. Inside the final 20 laps, Gigante stunned the field by taking a lap of her own and the race lead. However, the fast-finishing Italian rider Silvia Zanadri took the final sprint win and the double points on offer, which gave her the title by just five points. “I ended up taking silver, which I am stoked about,” Gigante said. “Just being at Worlds was amazing enough, so to place in one of my favourite races in a great field was so crazy! “I felt so good to be back! I can't thank my support network enough. I wouldn't be here right now without them, let alone with a silver medal around my neck. To Holden Team Gusto, Brunswick Cycling Club, Cycling Australia, my friends, heroes, and my family, especially my brilliant mum, and everyone else who helped me to get here, thank you so much! I couldn't have done it without you all.” In other results, Sophie Edwards (SA) broke Amy Cure’s eight-year-old national mark and won bronze in the individual pursuit, while Alice Culling (VIC) & Alexandra Martin-Wallace (QLD) took bronze in the women’s Madison. In the sprint, Alana Field (VIC) enjoyed three top ten finishes and personal best (11.373) in the flying 200m. Field took sixth in the sprint after being edged by the eventual silver medallist in quarterfinals, while also grabbing eighth in the keirin and ninth in the time trial. WATCH THE POINTS RACE FINAL
Elite Sprint Coaches Nick Flyger & Ross Edgar, plus Kaarle McCulloch and Steph Morton were on hand to celebrate! Photo @UCI
The Australian Cycling Team enjoyed a successful week at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland, with three world titles, nine medals and a handful of world and Australian records.
Melbourne’s Luke Plapp celebrated dual world titles in the points race and in the Madison with Blake Quick (QLD) (read more here), and Sydney’s Thomas Cornish stormed to the kilometre time trial world title in world record time. Leigh Hoffman (SA) set a new Australian record in the men’s sprint, while Sophie Edwards (SA) broke Amy Cure’s eight-year-old national mark in the individual pursuit. Summary Gold
It was a spectacular week for Sydney’s Tom Cornish who scorched his way around the Aigle track on his way to claiming a world record, a world title and a silver medal. The Southern Cross Cycling Club member won sprint silver on Saturday with a personal best 10.041secs, which broke the seven-year-old Australian record. However, it was short-lived with teammate Leigh Hoffman lowering the new mark just two rides later with a stunning 10.037seconds. Unfortunately for Australia, the pair met in the semi-finals, which Cornish took in three closely fought heats. In the final, Cornish was edged by Poland’s Laczkowski in two heats. “It was tough, we'd battled each other at Oceanias and Nationals before but he would always get the better of me, so to come out on top was a bit of a surprise,” Cornish told Cycling Australia. “I couldn't have imagined winning sprint silver, my goals coming into the sprint were to be top five, so I was pretty happy when I made the gold/silver final. My goals for the sprint final were to make sure I gave him a run, but I was pretty tired from the semi against Leigh though. “I felt happy with silver, but also a little disappointed, I'd come so close to the gold.” Less than twenty-four hours later, Cornish produced an eye-popping 1min 00.498sec ride to break the junior kilometre time trial world record on his way to claiming his maiden world crown. “To break the world record and win the kilo, I am pretty excited! Never thought I'd be able to achieve something like this,” added Cornish, 18, who thanked coach Shane Kelly, himself a three-time kilo world champion who won the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games time trial bronze the year Cornish was born. “I'd like to thank Shane for coaching me through the Junior Worlds campaign, my parents and family for supporting me, and everyone else in the team for being there and cheering me on.” In a strong debut, Hoffman finished fourth in the sprint and sixth the in keirin. Matthew Rice claimed fourth in the kilometre time trial.
Photo © klementdesign – UCI
The Australian Cycling Team enjoyed a successful week at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland, with three world titles, nine medals and a handful of world and Australian records.
Melbourne’s Luke Plapp celebrated dual world titles in the points race and with Blake Quick (QLD) in the Madison, while Sydney’s Thomas Cornish stormed to the kilometre time trial world title in world record time (read more about Tom's ride here). Leigh Hoffman (SA) set a new Australian record in the men’s sprint, while Sophie Edwards (SA) broke Amy Cure’s eight-year-old national mark in the individual pursuit, while Sarah Gigante's comeback from injury resulted in silver (read more here). Summary Gold
Recap - Plapp celebrates dual world titles in Switzerland Melbourne’s Luke Plapp revealed he celebrated his maiden world title at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Switzerland by sleeping in his rainbow jersey. “I was so sweaty, and it was so tight and hard to put on the jersey,” Plapp told Cycling Australia. “But I didn’t take it off for the next 12 hours and slept in it. I honestly could not stop smiling the whole day and night. Also, to receive all the support from back home was something else! Plapp, who rides with the Brunswick Cycling Club, took three laps on the field to win the points race on 70pts. After the race, he quickly dedicated the win to his teammate James Moriarty who was forced to watch from the sidelines after breaking a collarbone in training crash two days out from the start of the competition. “I would like to dedicate this race to James, this was meant to be his race,” explained Plapp. “I raced it on his behalf, and I’m sure he would have been in the same position as I would was in the race. It meant a lot to be able to win it for him, and I’m sure next year he will do it! Plapp capped the week off in style by winning the Championship’s final event, the Madison, with Blake Quick. There the pair figured all but two of the fourteen sprint decisions to take the crown on 47 points ahead of Russia and Denmark. “The Madison has been my goal for so long,” revealed Plapp. “And to achieve it with such a fantastic mate was so special and once again having one of the previous best Madison riders in Matt Gilmore guiding us was unreal. “You’d probably be able to tell after the 100 hugs and the celebrations after the race, that this one is going to take a while to sink in. “I want to thank Matty Gilmore and Shane (Kelly) for coaching us over the last few months and Bernie for being an amazing team manager. Also to the Brunswick Cycling Club and Cam McFarlane for all his support and guidance and for just keeping me enjoying my cycling. And of course mum and dad.” It was a triple treat for Plapp and Quick with the pair each claiming three medals for the week. On the opening day, the pair teamed with Matthew Rice (ACT) and Luke Wight (SA) to win bronze in the team pursuit, while Queensland’s Quick also won omnium bronze. WATCH THE POINTS FINALWATCH the MADISON FINAL The Australian Cycling Team begins its 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships campaign on Wednesday evening at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. Watch Live
2017 World Championship bronze medallist Alexandra Martin-Wallace (QLD) is eager to hit the track for her second tilt at a rainbow jersey. “I am really looking forward to Worlds, my last major race was Nationals, so it’s been a long time coming for me,” said Martin-Wallace, claimed scratch bronze in 2017 and will contest the Team Pursuit, Omnium and Madison in 2018. “After getting fourth, fifth and sixth last year in those events respectively I’m aiming to improve my results and hopefully be on the podium. “I haven’t thought too much about the competition; I’m just trying to focus on the things that I can control and prepare myself to be at my best.” Martin-Wallace and fellow 2017 representative Alice Culling (VIC) will team with debutants Sophie Edwards (SA), Lauren Robards (ACT) and Sarah Gigante (VIC) in the endurance events. The men’s endurance crew suffered a cruel blow on the weekend with James Moriarty (QLD) breaking his collarbone after coming down following a clip of wheels in training. “It is devastating for him, and the team, but I have been so impressed with how the team has gotten around him, and how he has responded to the situation,” said Gilmore, who revealed he would take Moriarty under his wing as a guest coach for the Championships. “While he, unfortunately, won’t be out on the track, we feel this is a great opportunity for James to experience a different look at the World Championships. He will be able to shadow the coaching staff in the pits, in team meetings and learn the processes the staff go through each day.” The endurance line up will now form from a quartet of debutants in Luke Plapp (VIC), Blake Quick (QLD), Michael Rice (ACT) and Luke Wight (SA). “I think it is going to be very special, pretty excited to get it underway,” said Plapp, who will line up in the team pursuit and will partner with Quick in the Madison. “I know it is going to be a lot different than nationals, everyone will be on another level, and it all becomes more tactical, you can’t ride everyone off your wheel. “But I am not going to ride differently; it is about backing yourself, not worry about how they race, but race your own race. Go in with a game plan and don’t follow other wheels.” The sprint team comprises Leigh Hoffman (SA) and Thomas Cornish (NSW), and Alana Field (VIC). The 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships will be held from Wednesday 15 - Sunday 19 August at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. Schedule Finals to be held in afternoon sessions beginning at 4pm local time (midnight AEST).
Follow Australian Cycling Team updates Follow the Australian team in Aigle via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Australian Cycling Team WOMEN’S ENDURANCE
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 The Australian Cycling Team has landed in Aigle, Switzerland ahead of the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships which run 15-19 August. Watch Live Returning 2017 representatives Alexandra Martin-Wallace (QLD) and Alice Culling (VIC) and eleven debutants form a 13-member squad set to contest the Championships held at the UCI World Cycling Centre. Martin-Wallace and Culling, along with Sophie Edwards (SA), Lauren Robards (ACT) and Sarah Gigante (VIC) will contest the women’s endurance events, while Luke Plapp (VIC), Blake Quick (QLD), James Moriarty (QLD), Michael Rice (ACT) and Luke Wight (SA) form the men’s endurance quintet. The sprint trio features Leigh Hoffman (SA), Thomas Cornish (NSW) and Alana Field (VIC). Selected following February Track Nationals, the team has been turning heads at their camp held at the Australian Cycling Team headquarters in Adelaide, and not just because of their freshly dyed hair. “They are one of the best groups I have ever worked with, how they have come together as a squad and bonded in such a short period, it is very impressive,” said Matthew Gilmore, Cycling Australia’s National Junior Coach. “We have worked just as hard on the team cultures and establishing team values, and this has really shaped the team, helped them be better teammates to each other,” added Gilmore, who was impressed by the team's level of detail in researching and delivering a presentation to the coaches on the legacy of the men’s annual tradition of dying their hair blonde. “The Junior Worlds is the biggest thing for the riders at the moment, but for us, it provides a real opportunity for us to set the tone moving forward, for the team and CA moving forward. "If we start that at the junior level, then it gets them on the right step.” Debutant Leigh Hoffman has enjoyed the jump from the state level to the national team for his maiden World Championships. “It has been a huge culture change stepping up, we have learned it is all about respect. Respect of your team kit, your teammates, the opportunity you have,” Hoffman said. “And for so many riders from all around the country to get along so well, it is fantastic. We have moulded together really well; we are just one happy family.” Schedule Finals to be held in afternoon sessions beginning at 4pm local time (midnight AEST).
Follow Australian Cycling Team updates Follow the Australian team in Aigle via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Australian Cycling Team - 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships WOMEN’S ENDURANCE
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The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy.
Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race. 
Seven-time world champion Cooke was content with her dual silver medal-winning performance.
“I came into these World Championships hoping to bring home the world champion stripes, and I was in the best shape of my life,” said Cooke, who finished behind the USA’s Jill Walsh in both races. “I had my race plans in place and rode them perfectly, gave everything that I had. Unfortunately for me someone else, Jill was faster on both days. “But I am very proud to have done my best, and for me that is the success, doing my best in any race. Two silver medals aren't too shabby! I am very happy to have been on the podium.” A leader on and off the bike, Cooke, 56, recognised the growth and improving quality Tricycle racing, while also revealing the results of her teammates inspire her. “The Trike class is growing and becoming stronger, and I am happy to be part of that growth. “It has just made me hungrier for the next racing against Jill which will happen in a couple of weeks away in Canada at the last World Cup. “It was also great to see my teammates do so well, Kaitlyn Schurmann in her first ever World Championship taking two silver and Emilie Miller winning two gold! Watching them ride is so inspiring.” Cooke also paid tribute to retiring Cycling Australia’s Technical Director of Para-cycling Peter Day. “We have an amazing team which has been put together by Peter over the last ten years, and it is with a heavy heart that we will be saying goodbye to his leadership in September. However, we all wish him the best in his retirement, and I am sure that his wife Cheryl will be more than happy to have him at home!” Like Cooke, Macdougall was ecstatic with her dual podium appearance in the road race and time trial. "I am feeling absolutely awesome, am super stoked to pick up two silvers, and it was even more special to share the time trial podium with my Aussie teammate Meg," said Macdougall. "The time trial was one of the most interesting and scenic courses we have had - not that I got to take a lot of it in - I raced and paced it well, crossing the line knowing I had given it everything I had. "I am super proud of the race and of my performance, 200% improvement on my total career medals. "But results like that aren’t an individual effort and I am so grateful to our support team." Official results: visit the UCI website. 2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
The Australian Cycling Team collected twelve medals, including three rainbow jerseys, at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy. Bathurst’s Emilie Miller (H1 Handcycle) won time trial and road race gold, while Melbourne’s Alistair Donohoe (C5) claimed his third career road world title. The Victorian trio of Carol Cooke (T2 - Tricycle) and Hannah Macdougall (C4) won dual silver in the road race and time trial, as did debutant Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1). Kyle Bridgwood and Meg Lemon won bronze in the C4 time trial finals, with Darren Hicks claiming bronze in the C2 road race.  For Donohoe, 23, a stunning solo victory in the C5 road race gave him his third road rainbow jersey from the last four World Championships. The 2014 and 2015 road world champion was part of a three-rider breakaway for most of the race before his attack on the pair inside the final few kilometres went unanswered. “It was super aggressive in the first two laps, then on the last lap I hit the pair before the fast run into town, and from there it was just head down to the finish, and I managed to hold them off,” said Donohoe, who won by twenty seconds. “Winning solo is always a rarity especially being someone who prefers the sprints, and my first victory since Rio. After having some health and injury problems last season, it was just so, so, so good to get back on top. “And in my favourite event, this is a fantastic win. In a typically Australian way, I’m stoked.” Official results: visit the UCI website.
2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships Summary
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