Australian Track Cycling Team Ready for World Cup
Australia’s 16-rider team will contest the opening round of 2014/15 UCI Track World Cup which begins on Friday November 7 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Cup will feature two and a half days of competition in Olympic events, with the World Cup offering crucial qualifying points on the road to the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Competition will take place on the 250 metre wooden Velódromo Panamericano at 1536 metres above sea level, with the fast track surface and altitude is bound to result in some fast times.
The venue last held a World Cup in January 2014, with Australia finishing second on the medal tally with three gold, one silver and one bronze.
Over 40 nations will be competing across the two and a half days including fellow powerhouses of track cycling Great Britain, Germany and France.
Alex Porter was a late replacement in the team after Tirian McManus was forced to withdraw after suffering a fractured wrist less than two weeks ago.
The sprint and endurance teams arrived earlier in the week after more than 30 hours of travelling from their base in Adelaide. After spending the past few days settling in to altitude and commencing final training preparation the team is ready to start competition.
Day 1 – 7 November
Women’s team pursuit qualifying will see multiple World Championship medallist Annette Edmondson team up with Georgia Baker, WAIS athlete Elissa Wundersitz and Rebecca Wiasak seeking to secure a spot in the semi finals.
Reigning world champions Glenn O’Shea and Miles Scotson will be joined with reigning junior world champions in team pursuit in WAIS athlete Sam Welsford, Daniel Fitter and Alex Porter.
2012 world champion Matthew Glaetzer will line up with with Jacob Schmid and Daniel Ellis in the men’s team sprint qualifying, while triple world champion Kaarle McCulloch makes her return to international competition with Stephanie Morton.
Day 2 – 8 November
As well as the conclusion of the team pursuit and team sprints day two sees the start of the individual competition.
Olympic bronze and multiple World Championship medallist Annette Edmondson will compete in the omnium. While selections are yet to be finalised 2012 omnium World Champion Glenn O’Shea is expected to compete in the men’s event. Junior World Championship silver medallist Sam Welsford is another possibility for the spot.
The sprinters will also get their first opportunity with Anna Meares, Stephanie Morton and Kaarle McCulloch all lining up in the sprint.
Commonwealth gold medallist Matt Glaetzer, newly crowned Oceania Champion Jacob Schmid and Peter Lewis and Daniel Ellis will get their chance in the keirin. Final selection will be made closer to the start.
Day 3 – 9 November
As well as exciting finishes to the omniums, the sprinters will again be back in action with the women’s keirin and men’s sprint events.
-CyclingAus