It may be anatomically implausible, but Macey Stewart presents an undeniable case when she says: “I will let the legs do the talking.”
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Having conquered the world on a bike as a junior, the Tasmanian took 18 months off and is returning to the senior ranks setting the bar as high as possible.
The long-term goal is the 2020 Olympic Games but the 21-year-old hopes to use next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as a springboard towards Tokyo.
“It’s going to be tough but I’ll be giving it everything to know I have done all I possibly can,” Stewart said.
“I look at cycling totally differently to how I did a couple of years ago. As a junior, was I doing it because I wanted to or just because it was all I knew?
“Now this is my chase and it’s what I want. I will let the legs do the talking. They will take the best team and if I’m getting the results, I have to make them pick me.”
The Devonport rider, who claimed two rainbow jerseys on the track and one on the road in 2014, returned to elite competition at the International Track Series in Melbourne last month where she won bronze in the omnium and gold in the madison.
“The ITS was good and I’m heading in the right direction but I have a very high expectation and I went there to win and wanted more.
“I now have more idea what I need to do to try and push into the Commonwealth Games team.
“Ultimately, Tokyo is my No.1 goal but the Com Games is a stepping stone.
“It’s an amazing opportunity and I know it’s going to be tough.”
Tasmanian Institute of Sport coach Matt Gilmore said Stewart has become a major project.
With the assistance of sports scientist Alana Martin, strength and conditioning coach Pete Culhane and even a nutritionist, the TIS has formulated a plan similar to the one which had helped Perth’s Georgia Baker reach the Rio Olympics.
“Eight months ago, Macey walked in and said ‘What have I got to do to get back and try and get to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games?’,” Gilmore said.
“After her first major track competition we are verifiying if we are going in the right direction and what we may need to adjust. It’s our challenge as much as Macey’s, it’s great as a coach when an athlete challenges you like that.”
On the road, Stewart put in some impressive performances in this year’s National Road Series, especially on familiar territory in the Mersey Valley Tour.
“We know that it’s a long shot to make the Com Games team because there’s some super girls already there and the timeframe that we have and lack of events to be able to push her case. We understand it is a challenge, but it is our short-term goal with the Olympics long-term.”
Gilmore said Stewart is a contrast to the cyclist he coached as a junior.
“We call her Macey Mark 2. Her testing and dedication is almost a different athlete. She was a talented athlete, now we have a dedicated, focused athlete.”