Worlds: Defending rainbows and medal thirst for Aussie track sprinters

For the past 10 months, there have been four Aussie men tearing off wins around the world in a rainbow blur. That rainbow blur expires on August 3. The renewal process begins that same day.

Hot off a successful team camp in Portugal, the ARA Australian Cycling Team track sprinters are up and about for a big week at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, Scotland for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

The men enter as the hunted after last year’s team sprint world championship winning day in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.

The ARA Australian Cycling Team team sprint squad has had an undefeated 2023 season. Picture: Getty Images

The performances produced by Leigh Hoffman, Matthew Richardson, Matthew Glaetzer and Thomas Cornish throughout an undefeated 2023 season vindicate their status as favourites to defend their world title.

With that label comes pressure, but that pressure has kept the foot on the gas, as Richardson said.

“Our prep has not been too dissimilar to last year. Similar vibes now we are here in Glasgow but just with that pressure this time around as we look to defend the rainbows,” he said.

“This season has definitely been a good one with two out of two team sprint wins at the Nations Cups plus Oceanias, so we’ve come here with good form and will just have to execute like we know how, and the result will be the result.

“What I do know is the vibes are high and the boys and I are moving really well. The camp in Portugal was a huge success.”

Matthew Richardson is hoping for a big week in Glasgow. Picture: SWpix.com

It’s a similar tune from teammate Hoffman, who has locked down a pivotal role in the team’s success since the Tokyo Olympics from the start gate.

“Everyone’s form is in perfect condition,” he said.

“We’ve had a great season and we want to continue that in Glasgow.

“I’m confident in our ability to go faster this week than we have ever gone. That’s an exciting prospect for us.”

Equally exciting of a prospect is that of Kristina Clonan’s individual event campaign in Glasgow.

The 25-year-old will start in the 500m time trial, keirin and sprint over the coming week, and will do so in typical maximum effort fashion.

Kristina Clonan is feeling ready to go ahead of the Glasgow UCI Cycling World Championships starting on Thursday. Picture: Guy Swarbrick 

That maximum effort is beginning to bear fruit, with Clonan notching improved performances in the keirin and sprint at this year’s UCI Track Nations Cup stops in Jakarta and Milton.

A positive stay in Portugal during the lead-in camp has added to Clonan’s momentum.

“It was a good little opportunity for us to adapt to the time zone and train as a team in Portugal ahead of really getting settled here in Glasgow,” Clonan said.

“We're so far away in Australia, so to have the opportunity to come over early is important and a good mock-up for the lead-in for Paris.

“I’m solo as the lone women’s sprinter but I feel like I’m a part of everyone’s team. The boys have really taken me under their wing, and I aspire to their performances, and I get a lot out of them as well as just being really good mates.

“I’m excited for what is to come this week. I like the track – it's unique but fun and it was good to refresh the memory of the boards yesterday.”

Outside of the team sprint world championship defence for the men is a burning desire to make a serious dent in the individual events.

It’s likely that charge will come from 2022 sprint silver medallist, Richardson, and 2022 bronze medallist , Glaetzer, who is looking as hungry as ever for success on the doorstep of his fourth Olympic Games selection next year.

“A big goal of mine is to make the sprint finals again and challenge for that win just like last year,” Richardson said.

“I’ve honed in on a few tactical pieces over the last year and I’m keen to use those to the best of my ability.”

ARA Australian Cycling Team for 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

Track Sprint

Women Elite

• Kristina Clonan

Men Elite

• Matthew Richardson
• Matthew Glaetzer
• Leigh Hoffman
• Thomas Cornish

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Feature image: SWpix.com