WA Cyclists in Action Around the Globe
WA cyclists have been in the thick of the action, across the globe over the past week with local riders competing in the Oceania Road Champs, Bendigo Madison and European World Tour events.
Canberra hosted the 2017 Oceania Road Championships, with three West Aussies returning medal performances.
Michael Storer and Jai Hindley claimed silver and bronze respectively in the U23 road race last weekend after being pipped to the line in a sprint finish by winner Lucas Hamilton.
Storer fell one place shy of a medal in the U23 time trial, taking fourth place in a busy weekend of racing.
In the U19 events, Craig Wiggins earned a bronze medal in the road race, whilst Tyler Lindorff recorded a fifth placed effort in the U19 time trial.
In Bendigo, the 2017 Madison carnival threw up its usual spread of frenetic fun and fanfare. Track World Championship bound cyclists Sam Welsford and Cameron Meyer both took to the Tom Flood Sports Oval track to compete in the men’s Madison event.
Rio Olympian Welsford teamed with Kelland O’Brien – with the pair claiming second place, whilst Meyer – who competed with Callum Scotson – finished in fourth place as the title was won by Rohan Wright and Alex Porter.
In the Netherlands, road cyclist Jess Allen competed in the Drenthe World Tour Event for Orica-Scott, finishing in 21st position overall. Allen rode to support teammate Gracie Elvin, who crossed in eighth place.
Illness forced road cyclist Luke Durbridge out of the Tirreno Adriatico for Orica-Scott after a virus swept through the camp.
With Adam Yates pulling out a day earlier, Roman Kreuziger withdrew the next morning, before Durbridge could last just one hour into the sixth stage before having to stop.
“There’s nothing to be done,” said Orica-Scott Sport director Matt White. “Both Luke and Roman woke up today with the same symptoms as Adam Yates yesterday, Roman was too sick to start and Luke tried, but had to climb off after an hour of racing.”
“It is what it is and we have to be thankful that we are not losing riders to serious injury, only to a virus and one that will hopefully pass really quickly.”
And finally, how about this clip for a blast from the past! Sir Chris Hoy recently posted a video shot at the old WAIS facility gym back in 2012 – as Team Sky were enjoying a winter (Northern Hemisphere) training camp in Perth.