Southern hemisphere rivals to lay down challenge to host nation in Olympic test event
Cycling Australia has confirmed the team of “Cyclones” that have been selected for the final round of the UCI Track World Cup in London, between February 16th and 18th. The event will be the first to be held on the new vélodrome, built for the summer’s Olympic Games, and Australia is taking the opportunity to get to know the track under race conditions, as well as maximising its chances of qualifying as many riders as possible for the games.
"This will be our only opportunity to race on the Olympic vélodrome and familiarise both athletes and staff with the environment ahead of the Games. The World Cup will help sharpen our team focus, knowing that there is just over 180 days to go before first event of the Olympic track program," said Kevin Tabotta, Cycling Australia's National Performance Director. "It will also give us an idea of where the rest of the world is in terms of preparation for the upcoming World Championships in Melbourne in April."
As a challenge to the reigning Olympic champion Pursuit team of host nation Great Britain, Australia has named its World champion foursome of Jack Bobridge, Rohan Dennis, Luke Durbridge and Michael Hepburn – Bobridge is also the Individual Pursuit champion and World record holder – along with Alex Edmonson and Glenn O’Shea; although only five of the six will actually make the trip.
Also, to throw down the gauntlet to British pair Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish, Australia’s World championship Team Sprint pair of Anna Meares and Kaarle McCulloch will be travelling to the “London Prepares” event.
"We are on target to qualify the maximum track places for the Games so the focus now it to ensure we are in the best possible position to win medals in London,” explained Tabotta. “That means setting targets for teams and individuals and making sure they know what is expected of them as we come close to nominating teams for the worlds and the Olympic Games."
Once the World Cup series is over, Australia’s best track cyclists will head back to Melbourne, Victoria, for the World championships, between April 4th and 8th.
Australian ‘Cyclones’ for London World Cup
Women
Amy Cure (Penguin, TAS 31.12.1992)
Annette Edmondson (Stirling SA, 12.12.1991)
Melissa Hoskins (Lesmurdie WA, 24.02.1991)
Kaarle Mcculloch (Gymea Bay, NSW 20.01.1988)
Anna Meares (West Richmond, SA [formerly QLD] 21.09.1983)
Josephine Tomic (Perth WA, 09.06.1989)
Men
Alex Bird (Flynn, ACT 06.03.1985)
Jack Bobridge (Evaston Park SA, 13.07.1989) *
Rohan Dennis (Vale Park, SA 28.05.1990) *
Luke Durbridge (Bassendean, WA 09.04.1991) *
Alexander Edmondson (Stirling, SA 22.12.1993) *
Matthew Glaetzer (Adelaide SA, 24.08.1992)
Michael Hepburn (Brookfield, QLD 17.08.1991) *
Glenn O'Shea (Ridleyton, SA [formerly VIC] 14.06.1989) *
Shane Perkins (Clayton South, VIC 31.12.1986)
Scott Sunderland (Hillarys WA 16.03.1988)