OLYMPIC ROAD CYCLING TEAM SELECTED FOR TOKYO

Nine cyclists have been selected to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo, with eight road cyclists and a track endurance rider announced by the Australian Olympic Committee today.

The road cycling team boasts a wealth of international experience headlined by two-time individual time trial world champion Rohan Dennis and dual World Championship medallist Amanda Spratt who return for their third Games.

Richie Porte, who reached the podium at the 2020 Tour de France podium, and Tour de France team time trial stage winner Cameron Meyer, have been selected for a second Games.

Grace Brown, Sarah Gigante, Tiffany Cromwell and Jack Haig will make their Olympic debut.

Track endurance rider Alexandra Manly will also make her Olympic debut after being selected to the team.

The men’s road race will cover a 244km course including 4,865m of elevation, with the women facing a 147km course with 2692m of elevation, in a course starting in Tokyo’s Musashinonomori Park incorporating incredible views of Mt Fuji. The Time Trial will see riders take on two laps of the 22.1km course for men and one for women, starting at the Fuji International Speedway.

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman welcomed today’s selections.

“Congratulations to all the cyclists selected today for the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo,” Mr Chesterman said.

“The Team includes a vast array of experience and success at the highest levels, which will prove invaluable as they take on the best in the world in Tokyo.

“The road cyclists are all currently training and racing in challenging conditions around the world, and today’s selection is testament to the incredible effort and determination they have shown throughout their riding careers.

“While it’s a great day for the athletes, it’s also a day of celebration for the families, friends, supporters, teammates and coaches who have helped them achieve their Tokyo Olympic milestone. Thank you to Aus Cycling and all of the sport institutes who have helped train and develop these athletes to help bring the athletes to the level they are at today.

Today’s selection brings the number of selected athletes in the Australian Olympic Team to 111 of an expected 450-480.

Tasmanian Porte said it was an honour to represent Australia in Tokyo.

“The Olympics is a massive career highlight for me,” Porte said. “You don't take for granted to be selected for the team in a country like Australia as it has so many worthy guys to choose from, so to just make the team, it's a big honour.

“I think it's going to be a fantastic Games; I look forward to just getting there and racing. I think it's a fantastic course, it's going to be hard, but we can aim to be up there for the podium.

33-year-old Spratt is looking forward to the challenge of the hard Tokyo course in her third Olympics.

“We've got a really great team for Tokyo,” Spratt said. “We've got a great road Captain in Tiffany Cromwell, we've seen what Grace has been doing over in Europe and that youth of Sarah Gigante we've got a strong and well-rounded team that will really suit this course.”

“It’s such an honour to be selected for my third Olympic Games. That's been over a 10-year period, as well, it's something I've never complacent about. I'm really looking forward to being able to use what I've learned from those and really go there and performing Tokyo with a great team.”

20-year-old Victorian Sarah Gigante is still buzzing after receiving her maiden Olympic selection.

“It just feels so surreal to be named a member in my first Australian Olympic Team,” said Gigante, who has claimed three national road titles in three years (2019 road, 2020 and 2021 time trial). “Going to the Olympics is one of those things I always dreamed of...but it always seemed like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - something I hoped really existed but certainly something very far away and a bit of a fantasy!”

Simon Jones, Performance Director at AusCycling welcomed today’s selections.

“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge every rider who put their hand up for the Olympics.

“The selection process never gets easier and that’s because we have a strong and competitive team. For those who didn’t make the team this time; keep pushing - Paris is not far away.

“I’m immensely proud of the riders who will be representing Australia in Tokyo, and we are very excited to see how everyone in the team meets the challenge of what’s likely to be a unique Games experience.”