Cadel Evans AM. Stuart O’Grady OAM. Bradley McGee OAM. Katherine Bates. These are just some of the high-achieving former Australian cyclists whose images adorn the Champions Walk at the High Performance Unit (HPU) in Adelaide.
Every day, when Australia’s current generation of cycling stars arrive at their training base, they must pass these photos as they descend into the bowels of the velodrome. Inspiration and pressure, in equal measure.
Run by governing body Cycling Australia with funding from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the High Performance Unit is a hub for elite track, road, BMX and para-cycling riders in this country. While the demands of road and BMX competition necessitates that these athletes are often based overseas, the centre is Australian track cycling’s undisputed home.
Nestled on the outskirts of town close to the cycling-friendly Adelaide Hills, the facility brings together the nation’s top athletes and support staff with a single-minded focus: sporting glory. Australia has long been a cycling superpower, and track riders are consistent contributors to the green and gold Olympic medal tally. At London 2012 five medals were earned in the velodrome, while the Australian Olympic Committee is expecting the discipline to deliver three golds in Rio this August.
