Canberra cyclists added to the Australian Olympic squad

Canberra cyclists were well represented across all disciplines when Cycling Australia (CA) announced the final members of the Australian cycling team for the London Olympics. Michael Rogers (Team Sky) and Chloe Hosking (Specialized-Lululemon) were both selected for the men's and women's road team respectively. At the same time, CA included Rebecca Henderson and her coach (now a Canberra resident), Daniel McConnell were selected as Australia’s mountain bike representatives for the London Olympic Games. The news came 24 hours after announcing Caroline Buchanan had been selected for the Australian BMX team.

The news of Michael Rogers' Olympic selection comes as he prepares for the Grand Depart in Liège (Belgium) for the 2012 Tour De France. Rogers will be one of the key members of Team Sky to help British rider, Bradley Wiggins, be the first Brit to win the yellow jersey. After three weeks racing, Rogers will be expect back up quickly to help Matt Goss go one better in the road race than at last year's World Championships in Denmark.  He will then challenge for individual time trial gold against compatriot Cadel Evans.



With a couple of early season sprinting wins and a solid training session on the simulator at the AIS in May/June, Chloe Hosking was one of the three selected for the Australian women's team. A course that favours a sprinter, Chloe is likely to be one of the favourites for a medal chance. Participating in this week's Giro delle Donne should be give Hosking with the racing experience to set her up nicely for the Olympic challenge.
 

http://www.cycling.org.au/?Page=46915

The selection of twenty-year-old Henderson was a surprise. Although a regular on the under-23 mountain bike podium, the step up to the senior level will be a big ask as she makes her debut in London. Currently ranked around 55th in the world, it is unlikely that Henderson will pick up a medal in London. However, the experience should place her well for a medal in Rio in 2016.






http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/cycling/henderson-keeps-mum-on-surprise-olympic-selection-20120625-20yxy.html

Buchanan focus for a number of years has been London since she was too young to compete in Beijing.  She has been successful season, claiming three straight World Cup time trial wins. Buchanan also won the rainbow jersey at the non-Olympic time trial event gold medal at the World Championships.
















Good luck to all the riders in their respective disciplines in London.