CYCLING: It was the track sprint teams who set the tune for Team Australia on the penultimate day of training at the 2015 UCI Track World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
In a rest day from the track for Australia's endurance riders, Australia's men's and women's team sprint squads had their final hit outs on the National Velodrome track ahead of the event's qualifying and finals which will be held on the opening day of the Championships on Wednesday.
2012 team sprint world champions Matthew Glaetzer (SA) and Shane Perkins (VIC), plus debutant Nathan Hart (ACT) fine tuned their starts, with Glaetzer showing no affects of the heavy fall he took in the men's keirin final at the Subaru Track Nationals two weeks ago.
"It is good to have a last hit out, it is generally when you're feeling the best as well, we are ready to rip it in two days time," said Glaetzer. "It was the biggest hit I have taken, but it doesn't effect me now. It is all good now and I am ready to race.
Glaetzer will line up in the men's team sprint on Wednesday, in addition to the keirin on Thursday and the men's sprint which finishes on the final evening of competition on Sunday. And with Glaetzer boasting two of the three fastest 'Flying 200m' times in history, all eyes will be on the big South Australian when he hits the track.
"I am really looking forward to qualifying and it will be an eye opener as to how quick this track will be."
In the women's event, the three-time world champion combination of Anna Meares (SA) and Kaarle McCulloch (NSW) will be reunited for the Championships.
McCulloch has returned to her powerful best after 24 months battling with injury, and following months of specialised training, will now lead Meares in the first wheel position.
"It is amazing to be back riding with Anna, it has been two and a half years since we last rode," said McCulloch, who with Meares, claimed three team sprint world titles between 2009-2011 and Olympic bronze in 2012. "We did our first effort on Saturday, another today and it is looking really good. We are excited as to what we can do.
"I am really confident with my preparation and it all comes down to race day now and just putting the best time out on the track."
While the team sprint will be McCulloch's sole focus at the Championships, Meares will contest the sprint and keirin and has pencilled in an entry for her pet event - the time trial - in which she has claimed four world titles.
The 2015 UCI Track World Championships will be held in Paris, from 18 - 22 February 2015. 19 finals will be held across five days of the Championships. Official website.
The twenty-rider Australian, which features five debutants, is highlighted by reigning world champions Alexander Edmondson (SA) and Amy Cure (TAS), ten-time world champion Anna Meares (SA) and three-time world champions Jack Bobridge (SA) and Glenn O'Shea (SA).
At the 2014 UCI Track World Championships in Colombia, the Australian team claimed three world titles (women's points, men's individual and team pursuit) in an eight-medal haul to finish equal first on the medal tally (with Germany).

2015 TEAM AUSTRALIA
Endurance Men
• Jack BOBRIDGE (25, SA) 2010 & 11 Team Pursuit and 2011 Individual Pursuit World Champion
• Luke DAVISON (24, SA / Formerly NSW) 2014 Team Pursuit World Champion
• Alexander EDMONDSON (21, SA) 2013 & 2014 Team Pursuit World Champion, 2014 Ind Pursuit World Champion
• Glenn O'SHEA (25, SA / Formerly VIC) 2013 & 2014 Team Pursuit, and 2012 Omnium World Champion
• Miles SCOTSON (21, SA) 2014 Team Pursuit World Champion
• Scott LAW (24, NSW)
• Mitchell MULHERN (24, QLD) 2014 Team Pursuit World Champion
Endurance Women
• Amy CURE (22, TAS) 2014 Points Race World Champion
• Annette EDMONDSON (22, SA)
• Melissa HOSKINS (23, WA)
• Ashlee ANKUDINOFF (24, NSW) 2010 Team Pursuit World Champion
• Rebecca WIASAK (30, ACT)
Sprint Men
• Matthew GLAETZER (22, SA) 2012 Team Sprint World Champion
• Nathan HART (21, ACT)
• Peter LEWIS (25, NSW)
• Shane PERKINS (27, VIC) 2012 Team Sprint & 2011 Keirin World Champion
• Jacob SCHMID (21, VIC)
Sprint Women
• Anna MEARES OAM (31, SA / Formerly QLD) 10x World Champion
• Stephanie MORTON OAM (24, SA)
• Kaarle McCULLOCH (26, NSW) Three-time World Champion (Team Sprint with Meares)

CYCLING AUSTRALIA