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'It has been on my mind for a long time': Kelland O'Brien primed for rainbow hunt at Track Worlds

Oct 20, 2021

A team of five Australian riders will compete at the 2021 UCI Track World Championships in Roubaix, France this week from October 20-24.

The squad which is comprised of Georgia Baker (TAS), Annette Edmondson (SA), Alexandra Manly (SA), Kelland O’Brien (VIC) and Lucas Plapp (VIC), will compete in four events over three days.

Baker and Manly will pair together in the Women’s Madison on October 23, while Melburnians O’Brien and Plapp will form the Australian duo for the Men’s Madison on October 24.

Edmondson will be the first Australian in action at Stab Velodrome in Roubaix for the Women’s omnium, which begins Friday, October 22 and finishes in the early hours of Saturday morning in Australia.

O’Brien will compete in the Men’s omnium on October 23, an event which he has had his eye on for quite some time.

Kelland O'Brien“It’s been on my mind for a long time, wanting to put my hand up and do a world-class omnium and now is my chance,” O’Brien said.

“I’m going to go out there and try to execute as best as a ride I can and take it one race at a time and see what we can do in the final (points) race.

“My eyes are definitely open for the potential for this to be quite a big shock (to the body) but at the same time you’ve got to be in it to win it.”

The Olympic team pursuit bronze medallist switched to a road-focussed program following Tokyo 2020, signing with Australian professional road race cycling team Team BikeExchange as a stagiaire for the tail-end of the 2021 season.

O’Brien said he felt “strange” hopping back on a track bike so soon after the Olympics.

“It’s a little bit interesting, I always had my mind on doing the World Championships at the end of this year,” O’Brien said.

“Obviously, I’m looking forward to taking my ambitions to the road but there’s still fire in the belly and more I want to prove on the track so I’m pretty keen to get out there and race this week.

Kelland O'Brien“I spent five long years chasing one thing and it didn’t quite work out so at the moment I just want to give it everything I’ve got and enjoy the experience and try and learn as much as I can – and hopefully I can take that forward (in my career).

“It is the World Championships and you always want to win, but for me, I’m trying my best to not let Tokyo influence my preparation into this week.

“I’ve never raced a World Championship Madison before and neither has he (Luke), so the experience will be good.”

Australian National Team race schedule:

Annette Edmondson (SA)

  • Friday, October 22 - Women’s omnium - from 10pm AEDT (Live on SBS OnDemand on Saturday, October 23 from 3.20am AEDT)

Kelland O’Brien (VIC); Georgia Baker (TAS) and Alexandra Manly (SA)

  • Saturday, October 23 – Men's omnium and Women’s Madison - from 10pm AEDT (Live on SBS OnDemand on Sunday, October 24 from 2.20am AEDT)

Kelland O’Brien (VIC) and Lucas Plapp (VIC)

  • Sunday, October 24 – Men's Madison – from 7.55pm AEDT (Live on SBS OnDemand on Sunday, October 24 from 10.35pm AEDT)

About #Roubaix2021

#Roubaix2021 #AusCyclingTeam

Australian National Team - 2021 UCI Track World Championships

  • Georgia Baker (TAS)
  • Annette Edmondson (SA)
  • Alexandra Manly (SA)
  • Kelland O’Brien (VIC)
  • Lucas Plapp (VIC)

#AusCyclingTeam