17 Mar 2008

The Australian Institute of Sport Women’s Road Cycling program is back on the road in 2008 with its athletes preparing to compete in Europe ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

AIS women’s road cycling coach, Warren McDonald said his squad would race a full season in Europe with hopes of qualifying athletes for the Beijing Olympics and the 2008 World Championships in Italy in September.

‘There is a chance that one of our AIS cyclists could ride at this year’s Olympics if things go well but our focus right now is the World Championships,’ McDonald said.

‘The new scholarship holders that we are announcing today are very talented athletes who represent the future of Australian women’s road cycling.’

‘I am confident that among our current group of cyclists we have athletes who will compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India and 2012 London Olympics.’

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker said the Institute, in partnership with Cycling Australia, is continuing to help strengthen Australian cycling through the development of talented athletes.

‘The AIS cycling program aims to equip our riders with the mental, physical and tactical skills needed to perform at national and international levels,’ Professor Fricker said.

‘We are extremely proud of our record and tradition of producing talented cyclists who have gone on to excel at the elite level.’

The 2008 AIS Women’s Road Cycling scholarship holders are as follows: Amanda Spratt (Penrith, NSW), Bridie O’Donnell (Melbourne, VIC), Carla Ryan (Brisbane, QLD), Jocelyn Loane (Brisbane, QLD), Tiffany Cromwell (Adelaide, SA) and Belinda Goss (Melbourne, VIC).

Visiting scholarship holders: Peta Mullens (Traralgon, VIC), Vicki Whitelaw (Canberra, ACT).

Contact: David Packwood, AIS Media Officer Phone: 02 62141476 / 0408 417894

*The AIS is a major division of the Australian Sports Commission