‘It’s not lost on me how lucky I’ve been’: Nathan Hart announces national team retirement

ARA Australian Cycling Team men’s track sprint stalwart Nathan Hart has announced his retirement from the national team, calling time on an incredible 10-year career.

Hart joined the national program as a 20-year-old in 2013, moving to Adelaide from Canberra after being identified by an ACT Academy of Sport talent search several years earlier.

The 30-year-old forged a career as a world-class first wheel for Australia, stacking up a palmarès that includes a UCI Track World Championships bronze medal, two Commonwealth Games bronze medals and two Olympic Games, where Australia’s men’s team sprint squad finished fourth on both occasions.

Hart quickly became a staple in the national men’s sprint squad, making his Australian debut in December 2013 at a UCI Track World Cup in Mexico.

Nathan Hart at the 2015 UCI Track World Championships alongside Shane Perkins and Matthew Glaetzer. Picture: Andy Jones

“That was with Shane Perkins and Matty Glaetzer. And Anna (Meares) and Kaarle (McCulloch) were on the team then as well. That was a big milestone for me. Being on a team with some of my cycling idols, who I’d been watching from the stands as a junior athlete in previous years was an awesome experience” Hart said.

“My second race with Australia was the Commonwealth Games in 2014 in Glasgow, which was a big step up from a world cup and was my first taste of competing at a multi-sport event.

“The next milestone was my first Olympics in Rio. It was a special experience as my parents were able to travel and watch me race there. It made for a special memory given all the time, effort and support they’d given me over the years.

“The Commonwealth Games at home in 2018 was another career highlight given that competing at home at an event that big doesn’t happen too often in an athlete’s career.

“A lot of my friends and family who had never watched me race made the trip up to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. One of my good friends was sitting in the front row for the team sprint night and that was amazing to share that experience with them.

Nathan Hart at first wheel for Australia's men's team sprint at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Picture: Getty Images

“The Tokyo Olympic Games after that has now turned out to be the last big race that I’ve done.

“It was an interesting and surreal experience having a five-year Olympic cycle, which felt even longer than that. There were points in that cycle where I wasn’t so sure it was ever going to happen because it was such a strange time for everyone in the world.

“I felt lucky to be able to represent Australia at those Olympic Games with everything that was happening in the world.”

One of Hart’s most rewarding results-driven periods came from 2019 to early 2020 when the Canberran shone individually and as a senior member of the sprint squad.

“My first world championships medal in 2020 was pretty big when we finished third,” he said.

Nathan Hart, Matthew Richardson and Thomas Cornish after winning world champs bronze in the men's team sprint in 2020. Picture: Casey Gibson

“Matty Glaetzer unfortunately wasn’t able to race as he got injured late in our preparation. It was me and the young guys in Matty Richardson and Thomas Cornish. As a squad, we proved ourselves that day and I think that launched a lot of things forward on and off the track.

“I won a sprint world cup in Cambridge, New Zealand in January 2019 and my parents were there for that. In reflection that is one of my top career highlights.

“A few months later I won the national sprint title which was another big highlight for me.”

After hanging tough over an extended Tokyo Olympics cycle, Hart took a deserved break and initially set his sights on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“In the time since Tokyo the depth of men’s sprint in Australia has just exploded into being an awesome place for the team,” Hart said.

Nathan Hart at the 2020 UCI Track World Championships in Berlin, Germany. Picture: Casey Gibson

“They’ve had some massive success, winning world champs and the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and a silver at worlds this year.

“It’s been great to see the results the team has had in the last couple of years. To be a part of the journey of men’s team sprint returning to excellent results has been massively rewarding.”

As equally rewarding was being able to put to use all the support and knowledge from those around him throughout his career, as Hart said.

“My parents and brother, and my partner Sarah have always been a huge support network,” he said.

“Starting all the way back to ACTAS where Glenn Doney, who was my first coach, has always been a great supporter of me.

Nathan Hart celebrates his UCI Track World Cup sprint win with his parents in Cambridge, New Zealand. Picture: Guy Swarbrick

“I had a raft of coaches over my career, starting with Sean Eadie for a few years, Gary West, Nick Flyger and Matt Crampton more recently.

“And a few strength and conditioning coaches who were super helpful along the way.

“Kristie Taylor, Scott Baker and Toby Edwards as well, and then a huge team of staff members over the years at AusCycling that made everything possible.

“A big thank you to AusCycling and the organisation over the years, who have enabled me to pursue my sporting dreams.

“It’s not lost on me how lucky I’ve been in terms of the support that I’ve received, and I’m leaving the sport with amazing memories and lifelong friendships.”

Feature picture: Hikari Media