Kerby’s new line of work helps Australia smash Games record

ON A normal Friday morning, Jordan Kerby would be up before dawn and off to work to open his bike shop in Milton. But not today.

Kerby is in Brisbane but going to work means riding for Commonwealth Games gold in the individual pursuit at the Anna Meares Velodrome.

Regardless of the result, just being there is reason enough to celebrate as it caps a fairytale comeback to the sport that was triggered by watching the Rio Olympics on TV.

It was in August 2016 when Kerby realised his professional road cycling career was at the crossroads and in the weeks of uncertainty that followed his team’s decision not to renew his contract, he knew he wasn’t ready to retire.

So Kerby went back to his first true love, the velodrome, and inspired by the new track being built at Chandler, he plotted his path to the Games.

The 25-year-old, who runs a cycling coaching business from bike and podiatry shop The Pedaler, started training on the track for the first time since 2011 and within six months, he won the individual pursuit national title.

He won a shock world title in 2017 before working his way into Australia’s team pursuit squad for these Games.

Kerby rode qualifying as Australia broke the Games record in 3:52.041 before missing last night’s gold medal final.

Today he will be one of three starters in the individual pursuit, along with Sam Welsford and Kelland O’Brien.

Australia will be represented by Rebecca Wiasak, Annette Edmondson and Ashlee Ankudinoff in the women’s individual pursuit.