The first of the visiting competitors for this summer's TasCarnivals series has been announced.
Cycling young gun Thomas Cornish will be making his series debut this summer, with the New South Welshman bringing with him an impressive list of accomplishments.
The 21-year-old is a member of the Australian Cycling Team's Podium Potential Academy.
A 2018 world junior kilo champion, he's transitioned to elite senior in recent times.
A multiple national champion in both indoor and with the New South Wales team sprint, he was also a member of the Australian team with Nathan Hart and Matthew Richardson that won bronze in the 2020 World Championships team sprint in Berlin.
Earlier this year he broke the coveted one minute barrier for the 1000m kilo race to win the national open crown.
His eyes are firmly set international representation in the coming years, with the TasCarnivals set to play a key stepping stone.
"I've heard a lot about the carnivals from all the other guys and I'm keen to give them a crack for myself,'' he said on Thursday.
I would definitely like to win the Burnie Wheel race...
- Thomas Cornish
"I've heard there are a lot of very prestigious races going on and I can't wait to be a part of it,''
"The year 2021 was a pretty good year for me, I hit some quick times at nationals early in the year, including my first sub minute kilo.
"Unfortunately we weren't able to do a whole lot of racing after that though.
"My goals for 2022 are to make the Commonwealth Games and World Championship teams, and to leave each comp with a gold in the kilo."
He said being part of the iconic Burnie Carnival on New Year's Eve was something he couldn't wait to experience.
"I think I'll be close to the scratch markers, I'm built pretty well for wheel races so I'm keen to see what I can do,'' he said.
"I would definitely like to win the Burnie Wheel race, I've heard it's definitely the big one that everyone wants their name on.
"I've done quit a bit of outdoor racing, I've raced the New South Wales Christmas Carnivals every year which is a very similar setup, and I've trained a lot on outdoor tracks over the years as well."
Cornish is set to be a feature of the series from the Hobart Carnival on December 27 right through until New Year's Eve at West Park.
The series will start on the West Coast at Rosebery on December 18.
2021-2022 TasCarnivals Series dates
- December 18: Rosebery
- December 27: Hobart
- December 28: Launceston
- December 29: Devonport
- December 30: Launceston Madison
- December 31: Burnie
- January 22: St Helens
Alex Fair
Deputy Editor of The Advocate on the North-West Coast of Tasmania.
Deputy Editor of The Advocate on the North-West Coast of Tasmania.
