Annette Edmondson finally claims elusive individual cycling world title

AFTER four years of consistency finally it all came together for Annette Edmondson who was crowned world champion in the omnium in Paris yesterday.

AFTER four years of consistency finally it all came together for Annette Edmondson who was crowned world champion in the omnium in Paris yesterday.

Three days after she was part of Australia’s team pursuit which won gold in world record time, Edmondson became an individual world champion as well by starring in the Olympic event which pits athletes against each other in six disciplines.

Edmondson has contested the omnium at the world championships every year since 2012 and finished second, third and third before her breakthrough win on the weekend.

She also took bronze in the omnium at the London Olympics and it is her former track sprinting pedigree combined with her new-found endurance which has made her a force to be reckoned with.

In Paris she was fifth in the scratch race, second in the individual pursuit, seventh in the elimination race, first in the time trial and flying lap and points race.

The Adelaide 23-year-old said she was thrilled to win two world titles in one week.

“I really can’t believe it, it is pretty special (to finally win the omnium) after the high of the team pursuit, this is just a bonus,” Edmondson said.

“This win is fantastic, but nothing compares to winning it (team pursuit) with my teammates.

“I played that over in my head even warming up for this omnium.

“The women’s track endurance squad has been working so hard for the past few years, so to see the success come across the entire board it is really exciting for all of us.

“It shows we are heading in the right direction. We are looking forward to the next few years.”

The Paris world championships was Australia’s most successful titles since 2012 as it finished on top of the medal table with four gold, four silver and three bronze.

“We have been rebuilding since London and each year we have progressively edged toward the top of the podium in a number for endurance and sprint events,” Cycling Australia high performance director Kevin Tabotta said.

“We introduced some changes into the women’s endurance program after the Commonwealth Games which has helped our coaches and athletes obtain the shift that was needed (and) we will keep working that way across the whole team as we head to Rio 2018 Olympic Games.”