Michael's Story
Michael Turtur’s performance with Michael Grenda, Kevin Nichols and Dean Woods in winning the 1984 men’s 4000m team pursuit gold medal was made more remarkable because he rode all four rounds with a broken wrist. Refusing a cast, Turtur had his injured hand strapped to the handlebar before every ride. The Adelaide-born cyclist was 26 when he claimed Olympic gold in Los Angeles.
Turtur had been selected for Australia’s 1980 Olympic team in Moscow but did not compete because of illness. He rose to national prominence at the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games, winning gold medals in the individual pursuit and team pursuit, as well as bronze in the 10-mile scratch race. He added another Commonwealth Games team pursuit gold medal in Edinburgh in 1986.
After retiring from competition, Turtur served as a cycling coach at the South Australian Sports Institute and managed Australian teams at major international events. He established the Tour Down Under and served as its race director from the event’s inception in 1999 until 2020. His contribution to cycling and the South Australian community was recognised when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018.
