FLAG FLYER

Fasnacht to lead Australian team after two-medal haul

EXUBERANT Hobart cyclist Madeleine Fasnacht was honoured as closing ceremony flag-bearer after her two-medal bag at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the sunny Bahamas.

It was a worthy honour for the only Tasmanian in the squad of 75 because she impressed all with her poise and competitive hunger.

She may have felt disappointed with yesterday’s bronze medal in the 65km road race but there was no reason to because she was one of the few riders to attack, gamble and try to break up the field. Her time trial triumph last week was one of 14 gold medals won by the young Aussie team across seven sports at a festival for more than 70 nations to help fast track Generation Next.

“I didn’t see it coming. Being flagbearer was awesome with all the Aussie supporters in the grandstand cheering,” Fasnacht, 17, said. “Gold, bronze, flag-bearer ... I’m stoked.”

The midmorning temperature hit 30 degrees during Fasnacht’s road race nine hours earlier in sapping conditions she never experienced in chilly single-digit temperatures training around the hills of Hobart.

Fasnacht was always in the leading bunch but the short, flat, coastal course was very different to most of the road race circuits in Australia.

“It was very different to racing in Australia where there are lots of hills, decisive hills, harder terrain and more aggressive racing,” she said.

“This wasn’t very aggressive racing at all despite me and a couple of others putting on the gas and attacking. Some of the girls really wanted it to come down to a sprint, which is what happened.

“I’m not really a sprinter so I’m happy I gave it my all and positioned myself for the bronze behind the Scottish girl (Rhona Callander).”

Ice baths, ice towels and ample water to hydrate was standard practice to prepare and recover after the 1 hour, 57 minutes and 15 seconds effort.

Fasnacht will return to Guilford Young College this week knowing just how much Tasmanians get behind their athletes. “This has been so much more than I expected with the teams from all the countries and the challenge of keeping up with everyone messaging me from home because the support has been fantastic,” she said.