The Silverdome played host to some of Australia’s premier cyclists on Thursday.
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The Australian men’s pursuit team came to Launceston for a workshop, showing budding young cyclists the ins and outs of what makes a world-class racing team.
Tasmanian Institute of Sport cycling coach Matt Gilmore said the day was good for younger riders to see the work that goes into professional cycling.
“For us it’s awesome to have it, really sparks the enthusiasm,” he said.
“We invited kids from around Tassie to come and watch these guys do their stuff.
“We’ve had a skills session with them this morning and then they’re going to sit up in the grandstand and observe the session.”
Gilmore said the day was key for those looking at cycling long-term as a career.
“It is so important to have skills throughout, to say ‘here’s the finished product’ and really emphasise to the kids that they have got to start doing it now,” he said.
“That was a whole makeup for today, to have a skills session for the younger kids but then say ‘these guys are applying it day in day out’ still.”
The team consists of Kellard O’Brien, Alex Porter, Leigh Howard, Sam Welsford and Cameron Scott.
O’Brien, Porter, Welsford and Howard were the members that broke the Commonwealth Games record for 4000 metre cycling team pursuit in Brisbane last year.
The team is now preparing for the 2020 Toyko Olympics.
Cycling Australia endurance coach Gary Decker said the visit to Tasmania also allowed for the team to mix up the usual regime from their base in Adelaide.
“[We’re] adding in some variety in different stimulus in regards to variety of tracks,” Decker said.
“It’s a good chance to try and develop more capacity.”
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