#Glasgow2014 Preview: Cycling
Success and WAIS cyclists have a proud shared tradition at the Commonwealth level, and Glasgow shapes as more of the same.
WA will be represented in both track and road events in Glasgow, with Melissa Hoskins set to represent Australia in both disciplines, emulating the same feat achieved in Delhi 2010 by Luke Durbridge – who will again compete at Commonwealth level, albeit just on road in 2014.
Scott Sunderland joins the roster, with the Busselton born sprinter, turned endurance track star, potentially set to race in both classifications.
The track will play host to some of the fiercer medal battles across the Games, with the all-conquering Great British track cycling team disbanded into their respective countries of origin.
England posses a highly talented squad, whilst Scotland will be keen to honour their champion Sir Chris Hoy, whom after the Velodrome in Glasgow is named. Whilst he will not be competing, having retired last year, Scotland maintains a strong track program and will remain a medal threat at their home Games. Adding to the interest is a talented set of riders from across the Commonwealth that include World Championship medallists from countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Malaysia.
Perhaps the biggest name of all, is the English cycling champion nicknamed the “Mod-Father” Sir Bradley Wiggins, who has won practically everything there is to win in cycling, including Olympic gold and the Tour de France. In Glasgow, he’ll line up as a member of the English men’s team pursuit, which no doubt holds top rank as gold medal favourites.
With the Australian team brimming with world class talent of its own, it is uncertain at this stage, specifically which events some of the athletes will contest, including WA riders Melissa Hoskins and Scott Sunderland.
Hoskins, a 2014 World Championship bronze medallist in the women’s team pursuit, is unable to reprise her pet event, with the women’s TP not on the Commonwealth roster. She is instead, forecast to ride in a substitute track endurance event, possibly the points race or scratch race, or even both?
Sunderland is the reigning Commonwealth champion in the men’s kilo (1km time trial) but having switched to endurance events post London Olympics, it is not certain he’ll defend his title. He is however, also a prospective starter in the scratch race or as a member of the Australian men’s team pursuit, which unlike the women’s event, is still on the Commonwealth Games schedule.
Whilst the make up of the track events are close guarded secrets, there is no doubting where our WA talents lay on road. Tour de France debutant Luke Durbridge will take on the men’s road time trial in what is for better or worse labelled “the race of truth”, coming just days after he completes his grand tour duties with Green Edge. The men’s time trial will be held on Thursday July 31 from 5pm Perth time. Whilst we wait to see how Durbridge pulls up after his TdF bow, there can be no mistaking, that a fit and primed “Turbo” is a legitimate medal fancy.
Hoskins will contest the women’s road race for Australia, and with the finish line set for a flat, fast and furious finish, Hoskins’ sprint pedigree could come to the fore. She is part of a strong Australian outfit, with the competing team fancied to stake a medal claim. The women’s road race will be held on Sunday August 3, from 3.30pm Perth time.