Riders launch into Brisbane for 2021 AusCycling Track National Championships

The Australian Cycling Team will launch into Brisbane this week for the 2021 AusCycling Track National Championships as they continue preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The AusCycling 2021 Track National Championships will feature 38 national titles contested over five days of cycling action at the Anna Meares Velodrome from 24-28 March. It headlines the 2021 Brisbane Cycling Festival schedule, which will run 24 March – 12 April.

Australia's best sprinters will take to the track, including Australia's sprint king Matthew Glaetzer, the 2018 sprint world champion and eleven-time national champion.

"It's good to back here in Brisbane and racing again, and this year is going to be exciting. It's my chance to get back into racing," said Glaetzer, who will represent his home state of South Australia against his Tokyo team sprint teammates Nathan Hart (ACT) and Matthew Richardson (WA), who headline the men's sprint contingent.

"It's exciting to get back into the fold again and see what I can do amongst some decent training we've been doing in the prep for Tokyo," Glaetzer added.

"Winning a national jersey is a special feeling, knowing that you've got the reward for all that hard work. So, hopefully, I'll be able to win one this week."

Cycling's next-generation dreaming of a potential home Olympic Games in 2032 will also be in action, including a dozen from the Australian Cycling Team's Podium Potential Academy.

Brisbane's own Kristina Clonan continues her rise through the sprinter's ranks and hopes the home-town track knowledge and crowd support will spur her to defend her sprint crown.

"I'm really excited to be in Brisbane defending my sprint title. Track Nationals was postponed to December last year, so this has been a quick turnaround, but I'm excited," Clonan said.

Clonan will headline the sprint events with Kaarle McCulloch, the London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist and four-time world champion who continues her preparation towards Tokyo.

"To be here amongst riders such as Kaarle, she's been my idol for such a long time, and it's just awesome to get amongst it," Clonan added.

The Queensland Government supports the AusCycling Track National Championships through Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency, and features on the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Track Nationals peddling into town was a great way to showcase Brisbane as Australia's home of cycling.

"As Australia's urban adventure capital with an enviable outdoor lifestyle, Brisbane is the perfect location to welcome Australia's top cycling talent," Cr Schrinner said.

"Our strong cycling culture, safe network of cycle and bike paths, and internationally recognised Anna Meares Velodrome help to cement Brisbane's reputation as a world class events and cycling destination.

"We look forward to the economic boost this event will bring to our city, driving our economic recovery by attracting visitors to stay at our hotels, dine at cafes and restaurants and spend up with local businesses."

About #TrackNats21

The AusCycling 2021 Track National Championships will feature 38 national titles contested over five days of cycling action at the Anna Meares Velodrome from 24-28 March and headlines the 2021 Brisbane Cycling Festival schedule, which will run 24 March – 12 April.

The Queensland Government supports it through Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency, and features on the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Live Streaming

The Championships will be live-streamed via the AusCycling YouTube channel and SBS Cycling Central's Facebook Page:

Thursday 25 March 2021 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT)
Friday 26 March 2021 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT)
Saturday 27 March 2021 6.30pm AEST (7.30pm AEDT)
Sunday 28 March 2021 11am AEST (12pm AEDT)

Official website

Visit the official website at tracknationals.org.au

Tickets

Available at the door or online tracknationals.org.au/tickets.

Live Results

Via the official results page.

Schedule - Gold Medal Finals

Wednesday 24 March 2021

Elite - Time Trials (M&W), Team Pursuit (M&W)
Under 19 Team Sprint (M&W), Team Pursuit (M&W), Scratch Races (M&W)

Thursday 25 March 2021

Elite - Individual Pursuit (M&W), Sprint (W)
Under 19 - Time Trials (M&W), Madisons (M&W), Keirin (M&W)

Friday 26 March 2021

Elite – Omnium (M), Team Sprint (M), Points Race (W)
Under 19 – Sprint (M), Omnium (W), Points Race (M)

Saturday 27 March 2021

Elite - Sprint (M), Keirin (W), Omnium (W), Scratch Race (M)
Under 19 - Individual Pursuit (W), Omnium (M)

Sunday 28 March 2021

Elite - Team Sprint (W), Keirin (M), Scratch Race (W), Points Race (M)
Under 19 - Points Race (W), Individual Pursuit (M)

Follow

via AusCycling social media: