AusCycling's Tokyo Launch Pad

AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner has thanked the Australian Cycling Team for their efforts, achievements, and resilience during the Tokyo Games.

While the team’s medal haul wasn’t what we all wanted, Fechner said the performance had delivered many positives and valuable experiences that will guide our future.

‘’We saw some incredible efforts, at a time of significant evolution for the sport. The establishment of AusCycling provides a fresh start across many dimensions, and this should give us confidence and a sense of optimism about the future for Australian cycling,’’ she said.

‘’Logan Martin’s BMX Freestyle gold was a brilliant achievement and will provide a North star for so many young riders around Australia. He will inspire many to take to two wheels."

‘’Rohan Dennis in the road time trial and the athletes in the men’s team pursuit were also fantastic in bringing home bronze."

‘’I also want to acknowledge the efforts of our training and support team who overcame the unprecedented challenges created by the pandemic.’’

Attention now turns to incorporating the lessons of Tokyo in the planning and preparation for future events, including the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Fechner said that the newly formed AusCycling High-Performance Committee would bring extensive experience and fresh insights to support the development of the next high-performance plan, which will be reset as part of the broader refresh of AusCycling’s strategy to be released before the end of the year.

‘With a mandate spanning all cycling disciplines and the impending recruitment of a new Performance Director, AusCycling has a rare opportunity to redefine the sport’s approach to high performance,’’ Fechner said.

‘’It’s the right time to reflect and learn and a time for deep listening. How we best do that, will be determined in the coming weeks – we will be transparent and thorough.”

AusCycling’s High-Performance Committee is chaired by business leader and AusCycling Director, Michael Smith, and includes Olympian and World Champion cyclist, Katherine Bates; WAIS CEO and high-performance physiologist Steve Lawrence; AIS Director Applied Technology and Innovation, Ian Burns; globally experienced technology leader, Hakan Eriksson; sports scientist, and elite coach, Neil Craig; and AIS Director of People and Wellbeing, Matti Clements, who will play an interim role as final appointments to the Committee are made. 

As attention now turns to the Paralympics, we wish the amazing para-athletes and staff every success in Toyko.