Edmondson aims for big track worlds return

Annette Edmondson has rounded out her preparations for the world track cycling championships with a strong performance at the Melbourne Six Day event.

Edmondson

Aussie Annette Edmondson can't wait for the track cycling world championships later this month. (AAP)

Four years after a stellar world championship double, Australian track cycling star Annette Edmondson has the fire back in her belly.

Edmondson will return to the track worlds for the first time since 2016 when the Australian team ramp up their Tokyo Olympics preparations later this month in Poland.

Her first priority is the team pursuit, but Edmondson also has her hand up to ride in the multi-discipline omnium event.

Edmondson dominated the Melbourne Six Day event, the last hitout for the Australian women's track endurance riders ahead of the world championships.

British star Laura Kenny will be the rider to beat in the omnium at the worlds, but Edmondson will be unfazed if she rides in the event.

"It's about focussing on myself and what I can do," Edmondson said.

"I'm feeling really positive and I've been really motivated, on and off the bike.

"I feel like I have that drive and passion back that I've been missing for a long time.

"So I'm aiming high and I want to win it."

In 2015, Edmondson was part of the combination that broke the team pursuit world record in the gold medal ride and she also won the omnium world title.

But a year later, the team pursuiters' hopes at the Rio Olympics were dashed by a training crash.

Edmondson was a medal contender in the omnium at Rio before dropping out of contention.

"You never crash three days out from the biggest race of your life," Edmondson said of Rio.

"That was a first - to crash in training. We had to deal with that."

She had an extended break after Rio and was unsure about returning to the sport.

Ultimately, Edmondson returned to road racing two years ago and then watching video of the 2018 world championships rekindled her love of track racing.

"The ultimate goal is gold at the Olympics," the two-time Olympian said.

"I don't think I will be satisfied until I get there."

Edmondson's Six Day teammate Alex Manly also rode well in Melbourne and could ride in the madison at the world championships.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world