Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

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.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

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

"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.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

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

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world