We’re still on track to shine

AUSTRALIA’S men’s and women’s road cycling teams will still target medals despite two crash-marred lead-up events and last-minute rider changes in Europe.

Women’s team leaders Grace Brown and Amanda Spratt both abandoned the Giro Rosa in Italy in July after crashes, but are expected to be on the start line for the climber-friendly Olympic course on Mt Fuji on July 25.

But there have been two changes to the men’s team following an eventful Tour de France where Jack Haig was forced to pull out when he broke his collarbone and was replaced by Luke Durbridge.

National road race champion Cameron Meyer had already withdrawn due to personal reasons, with his father battling brain cancer, and his replacement Lucas Hamilton abandoned the Tour de France with a dislocated AC joint. But Hamilton will still race the 244km course on July 24.

The men’s team will be led by Richie Porte (pictured), who made it to the podium in the Criterium du Dauphine, Tour of Romandie and Tour of Catalunya this season before riding in support of Team Ineos leader Richard Carapaz at the Tour de France. Porte will ride the road race and the time trial alongside compatriot Rohan Dennis.

“Richie is really solid, we believe you’ll need good climbing legs so we are backing him as leader which is no surprise,” Australia’s high-performance director Simon Jones said.

Australia’s women’s team also includes Tiffany Cromwell, 33, and Sarah Gigante, 20, who are both making their Olympic debuts. Gigante will ride the time trial alongside Brown.

Dutch trio Anna van der Breggen, Marianne Vos and Annemiek van Vleuten will start hot favourites for gold in the women’s road race.

“The Dutch have proven they’re going to be very difficult to beat, but we believe we’ll go in with a race plan that gives us the maximum chance,” Jones said.