CHASING GOLD
A MEASLY single bronze medal from Tokyo is driving a new-look Australian men’s track cycling team going into the Commonwealth Games.
Three-time Commonwealth gold medallist Matthew Glaetzer and young guns Matthew Richardson, Leigh Hoffman and Tom Cornish are rated the team to beat at the Games.
Delivering on those expectations will prove the men’s program is back on track after the disastrous Tokyo campaign that will be remembered for the alarming mid-race handlebar snap that ended Australia’s hopes of gold in team pursuit qualifying.
AusCycling’s executive general manager performance Jesse Korf is buoyant about the chances of the men’s sprint team.
“We expect (a big) performance from the men’s sprint,” he said.
The team sprint is first up for the Australian contingent on day one of the program which is being held in London at the 2012 Olympic velodrome.
New Zealand won the team sprint in the Gold Coast four years ago, but Australia is primed to better their third placed showing this time around.
It is then is followed up by the keirin on day two while the sprinters will also compete in the 1km time trial.
Glaetzer has won the last two keirin’s at the Commonwealth Games, and was fourth in the event at the Tokyo games.
He is also the defending champion when it comes to the 1km time trial.
He will be the hot favourite to claim a third straight keirin this time around, but said he would have to watch out for a threat close to home.
“I believe it will probably come from my own teammates and Jack Carlin from Scotland, he is a talent,” Glaetzer said.
“Matt Richardson is the new up and coming sprinter who will be having quite a bit of success in his career I believe.
“Those guys will push me all the way, it is going to be a tough fight and a close fight I believe and whoever wins will deserve it.”
Glaetzer, 29, will compete in his last Commonwealth Games – a remarkable achievement given he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer prior to the Tokyo Olympics.
He said he was enjoying having the challenge come from young guns such as Richardson, 23 of Western Australia.
“It’s great, it is good to be pushed within your team environment. It prevents you from resting on your laurels and it makes you better as a team,” he said.
“We have a team that will work well together and when it is the individual events it will be all on the line.
“He (Richardson) has a lot of upside, he is enjoying a period of his career where he is super motivated and super hungry and that is dangerous and that is great for him and his career that he can make a name for himself.”