Lucas Plapp

Fast Facts

Sport: Cycling - Track 
Event: Team Pursuit  
Olympic History: Tokyo 2020 (bronze)   
Highlights: Bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. Becoming a dual Junior Track World Champion in the points race and madison  
Coach: Rohan Wright   
Year Born: 2000 
State Born: Victoria    

About Lucas

Lucas (Luke) Plapp started cycling at the age of 12 as a form of exercise to support his cricket and football aspirations. 

A member of the Brunswick Cycling Club, Plapp was chosen as part of Cycling Australia's Podium Potential Academy and has recently made his mark on the elite competition.

Ahead of the 2018 Junior World Championships, Aussie favourite James Moriarty broke his collarbone in a training crash two days before the event and Plapp stepped up to the plate in what became a defining moment of the young athlete's career.  

He won dual gold in the Points Race and Madison and picked up a bronze medal in the Team Pursuit, with the elated teenager celebrating his first international victory by sleeping in his rainbow jersey.

Following his success as a junior, which included podium results on the road and track, Plapp made his debut in the elite level at the 2019 Oceania Track Championships and the following year won gold as part of the Team Pursuit at the Track Cycling World Cup in Brisbane. In a strong solo performance, Plapp also won a silver medal in the Individual Pursuit. 

Another unfortunate teammate's injury opened the door for Plapp, when Kelland O'Brien broke his collarbone. 

Plapp was called into the Australian Cycling Team for the 2020 World Championships where he finished fourth in the Team Pursuit with the experienced quartet of Sam Welsford, Alexander Porter and Leigh Howard. He came 13th in the individual pursuit.   

Along with track racing, Plapp continues to compete on tarmac and in 2020 won the time trial at the National under 23 Road Championships. 

Lucas was the youngest member of Australia’s men’s team pursuit at Tokyo 2020 and was thrust into the hot seat after Alex Porter’s nasty crash in qualifying.

Plapp, 20, came into the line-up for the next round against Switzerland where he helped Australia produce an Olympic record ride of 3mins 44.90secs and then clinch a bronze medal when they lapped their New Zealand rivals in their final a day later.