GRAVES IN GOLD RUSH
Finishing with a perfect score sheet is every sport person’s dream but for Toowoomba cyclist Nathan Graves it wasn’t a fantasy.
Graves has returned home from the 2017 World Masters Track Cycling Championships in Los Angeles with a 100% winning strike rate, three gold medals and a world record thrown in for good measure.
It was the former elite national championship rider’s first venture into Masters’ competition.
His victories came in the 35-39 years 1km time trial and sprint events and the 35-44 years team sprint alongside three Australian team-mates.
Graves is undecided on his future Masters’ involvement.
To step away undefeated or to chase more gold is a decision he’ll make further down the track but his Los Angeles high is set to remain with him for a long time.
“The whole Masters’ vibe was a little different to what you experience in elite competition, and I really enjoyed it,” Graves said.
“A couple of my team-mates and I shared a house together and it had a bit more of a supportive feel about it.
“The whole experience was good.
“There were more than 500 competitors there for the week and logistically to get through it as smoothly as they did was amazing.
“It’s one of the best meets I’ve been to.”
Graves said his pre-training at Brisbane’s Anna Meares Velodrome proved invaluable to his championship preparation.
“We are exceptionally lucky having the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane,” Graves said.
“From my perspective it did have an influence on my performance even though the LA track was different.
“It’s a transition period for me but I believed three golds was a realistic goal.
“I did some research and I knew I’d be competitive, but you’ve still got to go out there and perform.
“There was a bit of pressure going into the 1km first, but winning that gave me an ideal start.
“Each medal win was satisfying for its own reasons.
“I’m unlikely to go back and try and do it again, but I wouldn’t rule it out. That’s something for the future.”