AUSSIE TEAM TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT SANTOS FESTIVAL OF CYCLING

The Australian Cycling Team para-cyclists took centre stage at the Santos Festival of Cycling held in scorching 41-degree temperatures at Victoria Park on Sunday.

One of the feature races of the final day of the Festival, Australia's Tokyo Paralympic Games hopefuls in action included Darren Hicks, Carol Cooke, Meg Lemon and more.

Hometown hero Hicks praised all the riders for keeping it together in the heat, something which the Tokyo Paralympic Games hopeful is preparing for ahead of team selection for the Games.

“We’ve actually been doing quite a bit of work in the heat chamber just to get ready for what Tokyo would be like and it’s a bit of practice that’s for sure,’’ Hick said. “The whole plan of doing races in the heat is to make us as acclimated as possible for Tokyo.

“It’s warm but it’s something we’ve got used to and what we really ask for is to have a go in front of the crowd and show them what we’re all about.”