Project Bird flies high

The 26-year-old ACT rider caused the upset of the Subaru Cycling Australia Track National Championships in Adelaide when he beat defending champion Shane Perkins on Saturday night for the sprint gold medal.

Even though Perkins was not at his best, it was still a stunning win for a rider who lost his Australian Institute of Sport scholarship about a year ago.

While Bird's strong form adds to the depth of the national men's sprint squad in an Olympic year, it is only half the story.

"Project Bird" is also providing invaluable sports science information to Australian track cycling across several events.

"We were very keen to look at a special project for Alex in terms of the team sprint and some new ideas - thinking outside the square in terms of what we can achieve," said national track coach Gary West.

"I said to our sports science team that I wanted them to consider anything, from left field to right field, think outside the square.

"It gives us a greater insight in terms of what we need to do, in terms of the application of training.

"We've gained enormously in the last six months in terms of the knowledge we've gleaned from this project - Project Bird."

After Bird lost his full scholarship because of a form slump, he stayed in Adelaide with the track program on reduced support.

He became what West jokingly calls "a crash dummy", particularly for the critical starting role in the three-man team sprint.

As the sports scientists come up with new training ideas or techniques, they try them out on Bird.

Great Britain, France and Germany dominate the men's team sprint, with Australia pressing.

"We have a ways to go, but I'm pleased with the direction we're heading," West said.