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10 Australian medal contenders for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Jul 20, 2023
One hundred and twenty-one Aussies will all have one dream when they head to Glasgow for the UCI Cycling World Championships next month: the rainbow jersey.
From the velodrome to the BMX park, to the roads of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the downhill trails of Fort William, see where Australia’s big medal hopes lie.
MEN'S TEAM SPRINT – TRACK
Australia’s men’s team sprinters will lead medal hopes on the track at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Tom Cornish, Matthew Glaetzer, Leigh Hoffman and Matthew Richardson will be coming in hot as defending world champions with hopes of securing the rainbow bands for another year.
Matthew Glaetzer, Tom Cornish, Matthew Richardson and Leigh Hoffman.
Richardson and Glaetzer will also be podium contenders for the men’s sprint after winning silver and bronze respectively at last year’s world championships. Meanwhile, Commonwealth champion Kristina Clonan will be firing on all cylinders for a shot at the podium in the women’s 500m Time Trial.
LOGAN MARTIN – BMX FREESTYLE
Australia’s most decorated freestyle rider Logan Martin is looking to claim his third world championship title.
The Olympic gold medallist has been in flying form in 2023, already winning two rounds of the UCI World Cup, and leads Australia’s chances for a gold medal at the BMX park in Glasgow.
GRACE BROWN – INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
When it comes to the race against the clock, Grace Brown is one of the fastest women in the world. The rainbow jersey was within reach last year in Wollongong but slipped through her fingers when Dutch woman Ellen van Dijk finished 12.73 seconds faster, giving Brown the silver medal.
Grace Brown won silver last year in Wollongong. Photo: Getty
There is no doubt Brown will be hungry to go one better this year, but first she will have to overcome Swiss powerhouse Marlen Reusser, who is the hot favourite for this year’s title.
DARREN HICKS – PARA-CYCLING ROAD
Australia has many para-cyclists who will be strong contenders to stand atop the podium in Glasgow. To name just one is a little unfair, but seasoned campaigner Darren Hicks has a proven record at this level, having been the 2019 C2 road time trial world champion.
Hicks has enjoyed a strong season so far, medalling at a UCI World Cup and winning the para-cycling version of the Tour of Flanders. The 2020 Paralympic gold medallist will also be going for glory at the velodrome.
EMILY PETRICOLA – PARA-CYCLING TRACK
Emily Petricola will be hoping to add more world championship silverware to her already extensive trophy cabinet.
A defending champion on the track, she will be leading the charge for our para-cyclists on both the boards and the asphalt in Glasgow. She has dominated the track in the past with three C4 individual pursuit titles, two scratch race titles and two omnium titles.
What can she come home with in 2023?
SAYA SAKAKIBARA – BMX RACING
After her comeback from concussion last year, Saya Sakakibara is on track to podium in Glasgow. She will take confidence into Glasgow after winning gold in Round 3 and silver in Round 4 of the UCI World Cup in the Netherlands last month.
The last time an Aussie BMX racer was on an elite podium at the world champs was when Caroline Buchanan won silver in 2017 – can Saya break the drought?
TROY BROSNAN – DOWNHILL
Troy Brosnan will have his sights set on getting back on the medals at Fort William after finishing fourth at the World Championships last year.
Brosnan has solidified himself as one of the best DH riders in the world since claiming back-to-back junior world titles in 2010 and 2011. His best world championship result was silver in 2019 and he has won bronze in 2021 and 2014.
Brosnan has been riding consistently in UCI World Cup races and most recently secured fourth at Val di Sole. With a swag of strong results at Fort William in the past, Brosnan will know what needs to be done to reach the top three.
REBECCA HENDERSON – CROSS COUNTRY
Rebecca Henderson is coming into form after an up-and-down season on the UCI World Cup circuit.
The 10-time national champion finished third earlier this month at Val di Sole, which will give her a boost leading into Glasgow where she will be looking to add to the two World Championships bronze medals she already has.
MICHAEL MATTHEWS – MEN'S ROAD RACE
Michael Matthews is no stranger to the podium on the world stage. The Canberran has three world championship medals including one from Wollongong last year.
Michael Matthews on the podium in Wollongong. Photo: Getty
He also won the under-23 title in 2010, so he knows what it takes to win the coveted rainbow jersey. The 271km road race is similar to the Wollongong course and will suit the puncheur, but he will have to battle it out with the likes of reigning world champion Remco Evenepoel, his Belgian counterpart Wout van Aert and Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel to get on the podium.
LAUREN PARKER – PARA-CYCLING ROAD
Three-time para-triathlon world champion Lauren Parker is one of several athletes making their debut at a cycling world championships.
Parker burst into the para-cycling discipline earlier this year and showed she would be a force to be reckoned with, taking a World Cup victory in the H3 time trial, and second in the road race.
Her experience at the top level of para-triathlon will see her be a contender for the podium in Glasgow, if not the top step.
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