Welsford Wins Elite Track Title at Cycling Awards

Sam Welsford has taken home the titles of elite men’s track cyclist and men’s U23 cyclist of the year at the 2016 Cycling Australia Awards in Melbourne.

Welsford won world championship gold with the Australian men’s team pursuit in London, before earning Olympic silver in the same event when he made his Games debut in Rio last August.

The 20 year-old started the year by winning a maiden track national title, when he defeated former world champion Michael Hepburn in the gold medal ride-off for the individual pursuit prize.

Last month, Welsford became the first WAIS athlete to graduate from Junior Athlete of the Year – to the open classification WAIS Athlete of the Year, when he scooped the award at the 2016 WAIS Annual Dinner.

Having earned accolades and rave reviews in his first year in senior track cycling, Welsford admitted the disappointment of missing out on Olympic gold was still raw, but believed the experience would drive his progress as he becomes a leader.

“We came so close in Rio,” said Welsford. “It hurts with four years of racing coming that close.

“But now I’ve got fire in the belly and I’m determined to reach our goals and mentor the new generation on cyclists.”

 

Emerging track talent Jade Haines was awarded the 2016 Junior Female Track Cyclist of the Year.

The WA product earned a silver medal in the individual pursuit at this year’s junior titles in Switzerland. She also won the exhibition Madison race with Ruby Rose-Gannon at the close of the championships, marking herself as one of the most exciting athletes in the national system at junior level.

Other Award winners

– Sir Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman Medal & Trophy – Mathew Hayman
– Subaru People’s Choice Award – Mathew Hayman
– Under 23 Cyclist of the Year – Sam Welsford (WA)
– Coach of the Year – Peter Day (Para-cycling)
– Norm Gailey Trophy – Champion State – New South Wales
– Subaru Club Premiership – Port Adelaide CC

Elite

– Road Male – Mathew Hayman (ACT)
– Road Female – Katrin Garfoot (QLD)
– Track Male – Sam Welsford (WA)
– Track Female – Anna Meares (SA)
– MTB Male – Jason English (NSW)
– MTB Female Caroline Buchanan (ACT)
– Para-cycling Male – David Nicholas (QLD)
– Para-cycling Female – Carol Cooke (VIC)

Junior

– Overall – Conor Rowley (VIC)
– Road Male – Harry Sweeny (QLD)
– Road Female – Madeleine Fasnacht (TAS)
– Track Male – Conor Rowley (VIC)
– Track Female – Jade Haines (WA)
– MTB Male – Jackson Frew (ACT)
– MTB Female – Sian A’hern (NSW)