‘Back yourselves’: How Australia prepare for the Track World Championships | Kieran Pender
25 February 2020 04:30
On the eve of the event in Berlin, the Guardian was given exclusive access to Australia’s top cyclistsEvery competition in international track cycling is important. Unlike their road counterparts, who race almost weekly during the long World Tour season, track cyclists compete barely half a dozen times each year. On the rare occasions these riders don national colours and fly around velodromes, months of preparation are tested in the cauldron of a race environment.The most significant of these gatherings is the UCI Track World Championships, with the latest edition beginning on Wednesday in Berlin. In Olympic years, the World Championships gain a peculiar hue. For some teams, qualification for Tokyo depends on a strong placing here. For others, a medal could give them the mental edge to succeed again at the Olympics in five months’ time. Related: Cyclist Elinor Barker: I’m still baffled women’s Madison is a new event You do all this hard work and then you could fall over at the last hurdle with a cold Related: Australian strength and consistency resurfaces in women's cycling | Simone Giuliani Continue readingread full article
