WAIS High Five in Cyclones Squad

Cycling Australia has named its squad for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships that are to be held from March 25-29 in Pruszkow, Poland. For the first time in its history, the Western Australian Institute of Sport will have five representatives in the “Cyclones” squad.

Along with 2008 Beijing Olympian Cameron Meyer, WAIS will be represented by his younger brother Travis Meyer, sprinter Scott Sunderland and two women with very bright futures in the sport, Josie Tomic and Sarah Kent.

WAIS Head cycling Coach Darryl Benson was delighted to see thirty percent of the national team developed through WAIS but was especially pleased to see Josie and Sarah named for their senior International debuts, with Travis earning the call for the track for the first time, having competed at U23 roads.

“Having five named in the senior International team is obviously a very positive result for the WAIS cycling program,” Benson said.

“It is a chance for each of them to establish themselves as part of the nucleus of the team in the lead up to London in 2012.”

“Making this team will become more difficult with each passing year, so this is a big opportunity for the five to make an impression.”

2009 has been something of a revelation for each of the named cyclists with the Meyer brothers, Tomic and Kent all involved in successful campaigns at the recent Australian Track Championships in Adelaide, whilst Scott Sunderland has been an integral part of the Team Toshiba outfit that has claimed UCI Track World Cup gold medals.

And with form on the boards, Benson sees no reason why each athlete wouldn’t be considered a medal threat in Poland given the opportunity.

“I would think that each of them is a chance to medal between individual and team events.”

“The first task however, is to show continued good form, and make it impossible to be overlooked,” Benson said.