Michael ‘Heppy’ Hepburn took up competitive cycling at the age of 14, after making the transition from triathlon. He started competing in track racing at Ipswich Cycling Club in Brisbane in 2005.

It didn’t take long for Michael to make his mark on the track after joining the elite club: he won the under-19 men’s individual pursuit in a world record time at the 2009 Australian Track Cycling Championships in Adelaide. Later that year he broke his own record, winning gold at the 2009 UCI Juniors Track World Championships in Russia.

Since joining the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Cycling program in January this year Michael has achieved more successes. At just 19, he won the under-23 men’s road race at the 2010 Scody Australian Open Road Cycling Championships and has been performing strongly at national and international events as a leading member of Team Jayco SKINS throughout the year.  

The major highlight for the young Queenslander so far has been his role in Australia’s team pursuit victory at the 2010 world championships in Denmark. Michael’s goal was to represent Australia in the qualifying rounds but his strong form was such that he not only earned a start in the final but helped Australia to win gold and record the fourth fastest time in history. 

Michael is one of seven world champions who have been selected in the 27-strong Australian cycling team for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. He is also one of 13 AIS scholarship holders making their debut at the Games.

The Australian track cycling team is currently in training in Switzerland in preparation for the Games. Michael is vying for a start in the men’s team pursuit and might find himself racing in one of the other endurance events on the track.

Michael also has his sights set on representing Australia at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and hopes to establish a career as a professional road cyclist.