Cyclists make journey to Glasgow for UCI Worlds

A TRIO of local cycling clubs have sent their best cyclists to compete in the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow next month across a range of disciplines.

Geelong Cycling Club, Geelong-Surf Coast Cycling Club and Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club will each have representatives competing in Glasgow from August 3-13 as part of the international event.

Geelong Cycling Club will be represented by Torquay businesswoman and para-cycling track cyclist (C5) Erin Rowell.

Rowell, currently overseas in France for training camp, said she was pleased to find out she had made the Australian team for the championships.

“I was excited,” Rowell said.

“We didn’t officially find out until June, but I made the team last year, so the team had been training and preparing for worlds in case of selection for the last couple months.

“Last year went really well for my first year on the team, I won a bronze medal in the 500m time trial.

“This year, I’m just looking to perform the best I can, I have put in a solid training block and feel really good, so I’m looking forward to racing.”

Rowell added she has five more days with the team in Bordeaux training and preparing, before heading to Scotland.

Glasgow will be one of two events that

“We have two world championships close together, one now and then another one in March in Rio de Janeiro,” Rowell said.

“Basically, these are our qualification rounds for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris next year and our chance to put up good performances and get points for the country towards Olympic spots.”

Rowell says 2023 has been about building momentum alongside coach Nick Owen, husband Ryan and son Jaxx.

Geelong-Surf Coast Cycling Club’s Tahlia Clayton-Goodie was also selected to the Australian para-cycling squad (C1), and Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club riders Cohen Jessen (MTB Cross country/Men’s Junior) and Matthew Harding (Trials/Men’s Elite) were also selected.