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Talbot's rising star

 

Talbot's rising star

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AOC
Talbot's rising star

CYCLING: Australia’s Josie Talbot is shaping up to be the next big thing in cycling.

CYCLING: Australia’s Josie Talbot is shaping up to be the next big thing in cycling. She’s the favourite to win the women’s omnium on Sunday at the Dunc Gray Velodrome, making the win her third gold medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF).

The 16-year-old from Camden, NSW, has already won gold in the women’s team pursuit and the women’s 5km scratch race on Thursday and Friday.

Talbot’s results are a dream come true for the young star.

“It’s a very big confidence booster,” Talbot said. “I was a bit surprised [to win gold] in the scratch race because it is a very strong field out there and I hadn’t ridden with the girls in a couple of weeks so yeah I was very happy with that.”

Leading into the second day of the women’s omnium and the final day of the cycling competition at the AYOF, Talbot is leading with five points, her closest competition on 10.

The first event Sunday, the 2000 metre individual pursuit (IP), is not Talbot’s strongest event but she is confident her lead and success in the scratch race on Friday will stand her in good stead to win that round and maintain her overall lead of the omnium.

“Having the lead already makes me feel more confident,” she said.

“There are a few strong IP riders in the bunch so I am not expecting to win that but after winning the scratch race a few days ago I am pretty confident in that event and we will just see how it goes in the 500.”

Leading up to the AYOF Talbot has not tapered off and is treating the meet as a training experience for nationals on 30 January in Sydney.

“Nationals are my goal so I have been using this as a tester and a training to see how I will go,” Talbot said.

Despite nationals the young cyclist has her eyes and goals set on bigger things including Rio 2016.

“This year I want to make junior worlds for the track, but I guess I will just keep training and see how I go,” she said.

“I would love to make the Rio Olympics but we will just see how everything goes.”

Laura Judd
Olympics.com.au

Follow the AYOF on Twitter:   @AYOF2013   #AYOF2013   #RoadtoRio
 

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