Hoskins Defies Odds to Compete in Women’s Team Pursuit Qualifying
Cycling: Women’s Team Pursuit – Qualifying
Athlete: Melissa Hoskins
Venue: Olympic Velodrome
Just four days ago, there was uncertainty as to whether Australia would have four riders available to start in the women’s team pursuit qualification round after a heavy crash during training, captured the attention of the sporting nation.
The pictures of Melissa Hoskins in agony and being stretchered to hospital seemed at odds with the notion that less than a week later, that she and the Australian women’s team pursuit squad, could be riding to keep alive hopes of an Olympic medal.
Yet in true Olympic – and Aussie – spirit, a courageous effort from Annette Edmondson, Melissa Hoskins, Amy Cure and Georgia Baker has seen them not just take to the line, but overcome all odds to secure a spot in Saturday’s finals with a spirited ride in qualifying.
For Hoskins, the enormity of the past week stood out like a beacon, as she shed a tear – having got the job done, noting her gratitude to the women who helped her through.
“It tickled a little bit, I am not going to lie,” Hoskins said post race. “It probably wasn’t the smoothest TP I have ever done for myself individually.
“It hurts, but any four kilometre hurts in this league. You have to grin and bear it, I am not going to throw away four years of hard work and neither are the other girls.
“Today out there it wasn’t a ride based on our best physical performance, it was based on how much we wanted it, wanted to be here and give it everything out there.
“And I am very lucky I have three girls by my side who could definitely pull the weight that I couldn’t throw around. All we came here (for) today was to get a top four, we said let’s just cut our losses, go for a top four and fight it out again on Saturday.
“For the team, we were absolutely rapt with running a top four. We need to be rapt with that after the last four days we have had,” added Hoskins.
“Everyone says ‘it’s the Olympics, you want to rise to the occasion’ and that right there was a great example of how strong Aussies can be,” Hoskins said, who, despite requiring crutches to walk around the velodrome, got on her bike for Australia for the qualifying round.
Hoskins was cleared of major injury after being stretchered off the track on Monday and taken to hospital following the crash that occurred while the team was performing a team pursuit simulation at race speed.
“The last four days are probably the hardest four days we have had in the last four years,” said Hoskins.
“Four days ago I was staring down the barrel of not even riding in the Olympics after training for it for four years, I am very lucky that I have four girls who are so mentally tough.
“But it was very motivating to wake up every day, although I was feeling like I had been hit by a truck, and have four girls out in the lounge room picking me up.”
Australia – 2015 World champions and world record holders – were the sixth of nine teams to hit the track knowing they needed to finish inside New Zealand’s time of 4mins 20secs to secure the top four finish required to ride for a medal on Saturday.
With all but Edmondson – the only rider not to fall in Monday’s crash – visibly bearing the effects of Monday’s incident, the team ignored the pain to clock 4mins 19.059secs, the fastest time of the six teams to that point. With only three nations to ride after Australia, their place in Saturday’s medal round was secured.
Hoskins revealed that she was still unsure of whether she could take to the start line earlier in the day. However with Ankudinoff battling a shoulder injury also sustained in the crash, Hoskins stepped up following a quick hit out on the track yesterday.
“There are two of us really struggling physically at the moment; Ash and I came off probably the hardest out of the four of us,” she explained. “For us it has been a real challenge.
“We have been doing this for four years, both of us want to put the best person in for the team to give us the best shot.
“So anyone they decided to put in was fine with us.”
Defending Olympic gold medallists Great Britain (4:13.260) set the day’s benchmark, breaking Australia’s 2015 world record, while reigning world champions USA posted the second fastest time (4:14.286). Canada was fourth fastest (4:19.599).
Australia will enjoy two valuable days’ rest before lining up against USA for a place in the final. Great Britain will battle Canada.
“Originally when we saw the program, we were actually quite annoyed about the day’s break,”
Hoskins said. “But after Monday we are actually pretty glad we have an extra day to try and recover and get the bruises down and have some ice baths.
“It is not going to be an easy two days, but full credit to these girls I am riding with, they are absolutely fantastic.
“I have never been so privileged to ride with a group of girls who can be so mentally tough and positive.
“I am looking forward to Saturday.”
Amy McCann
olympics.com.au