On track for Olympics

By Gavin Staindl
A FORMER Olympic cyclist and local coach says junior Berwick cyclist Courtney Field has the right attitude and all the skills to be an Olympic-level rider.
Carnegie-Caulfield Cycling Club coach Hilton Clark said Courtney had a bright future after completing a rare track-road double last weekend.
In a dominating performance at the National Road Championships in Shepparton, Courtney, 14, clinched gold in the under-15 criterium and gold in the 25-kilometre road race to become the only rider at the championships to win multiple events.
The wins come months after the Beaconhills College student took out the track national championship.
“It is very unusual for a rider to win both (track and road), because the events Courtney does on track are sprinting events, whereas the road is for endurance riders,” Clark said.“If she keeps improving as she is, she can make the Olympics.
“She is a gifted cyclist, trains very hard and has all the attributes to be a top-line cyclist.”
The road win did not come easy for Courtney, who was ill pre-race and admitted to ‘throwing up’ as she made her way to the starting line.
“I really wanted to finish first, that was my goal,” Courtney said.
“But throwing up before the race was quite stressful though I just told myself I needed to drink a cup of concrete, harden up and get through it. No one could help me, so I just had to tough it out.”
By the end of race the lingering taste left from the “cup of concrete” had never tasted sweeter.
“It tasted really good,” Courtney said with a laugh. I was crying and I was really proud of myself.”
Courtney made it two-from-two when she pipped seven other riders in a sprint to the line to clinch the criterium.
“There was a whole line of people I racing against,” Courtney said.
“There were lots of girls sprinting to the line and everyone had a good chance of winning … but I can hold a sprint for a long time, so I just got ahead.
“Normally a sprinter can’t road ride, but I guess I was born with a lucky gift and can do both.”