Cycling Australia

A small, yet potent, Cycling Tasmania track team has been named for the Subaru 2013 Cycling Australia Track National Championships which begin in Sydney on January 30

The seven-member team will be headlined by 2012 London Olympian Amy Cure, 20, who is aiming for glory following the disappointment of missing a ride at the London Olympic Games.

It was a stellar 2012 season from the cyclist from Penguin, having represented her country at Melbourne’s Track World Championships in April. At the Championships, Cure came agonisingly close to claiming a medal, finishing just five-tenths of a second behind fellow Cyclone Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW) in the individual pursuit bronze medal final, in addition to a tenth place finish in the points race.

In August, Cure made her Olympic debut in London at just 19, narrowly missing a berth in the team pursuit team that was filled by Annnette Edmondson (SA), Melissa Hoskins (WA) and Jose Tomic (WA).

“My London experience was filled with ups and downs,” Cure explained. “I was in the Olympic village and I was on 'cloud 9' as you call it, but then it was a pretty tough being told I wasn't going to race.

“I was very down, but after a visit from a friend who reminded me that 'happiness is a journey not a destination', I thought to myself I can either stay in my room and continue to be upset or I could go and enjoy the whole Olympic experience.

“At the end of the day, I am an Olympian and not many people can say that,” Cure remarked.

Following a forced two month break after London due to a throat infection, Cure teamed with Hoskins and Ankudinoff to win the team pursuit silver medal at the Glasgow Track World Cup last November.

In Sydney next week, Cure will line up against her Cyclones teammates in all the women’s endurance events, highlighting the individual and team pursuits as a main focus.

“There will be a very strong field this year and we will be looking forward to some very tough racing all around,” said Cure.

“I think the like of Hoskins, (Isabella) King, Edmondson, Ankudinoff and (Rebecca) Wiasak are all going to prove their strengths.

“But it's also the juniors like Georgia Baker who are also coming though the ranks that will be out there making it just as hard for all of us," she said.

Looking for a strong result in the individual pursuit, Cure is also aiming to challenge the larger states in the team pursuit when she teams with dual 2012 junior world champion Georgia Baker and 2012 National Junior Track Series Champion Lauren Perry.

“Posting a good time in my individual pursuit will be important for me for knowing where I am at on an individual basis,” explained Cure.

“But I am also really looking forward to working with and leading my Tassie team in the teams pursuit and we are aiming for a competitive time and hopefully a state best,” she added.

The team also features dual and recent Mexico Track World Cup Cyclone Peter Loft and 2010 Australian scratch champion and two-time national omnium silver medalist Luke Ockerby, plus newcomer Gerald Evans.

The 2013 Subaru Cycling Australia Track National Championships will be held at Sydney's Dunc Gray Velodrome from 30 January to 2 February, 2013.

SBS Television will broadcast the evening sessions on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February LIVE SBS TWO.

Follow the action:

• Website http://tracknationals.subaru.com.au/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/CyclingAusTrack
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAusTrack
• SBS TV Evening sessions on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 LIVE on SBS Two

Other Links
	http://tracknationals.subaru.com.au/