Commonwealth Games cycling: NSW sprinter Tom Cornish chasing golden double in Birmingham

He has a world junior title and record to his name but this Sydney cycling speedster isn’t well known outside his sport. That could all be about to change.

Australian cyclist Tom Cornish is heading to his first Commonwealth Games.

When he’s a little down, lacking motivation or just tired from training, Tom Cornish has a trick to put him back in the right mood.

The cycling talent from Menai in Sydney’s south has been dreaming about winning gold at the Commonwealth Games for so long he can now see it.

Cornish, from the Southern Cross club, said he sometimes visualise what it would be like to win at an event he has been fascinated by for years.

Tom Cornish dreams of success at the Commonwealth Games.

“I remember watching the 2018 Commonwealth Games and watching Matthew Glaetzer win the Keirin and the time trial and how crazy the crowd went,“ said Cornish, confirmed on the Australian team heading to Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games this week.

“To have a moment like that would be great.

“I feel like when motivation is low you have to picture the end goal.

“I daydream about it a bit, hands in the air – that’s the moment people dream of, doing a victory lap.”

Matthew Glaetzer shows off his gold medal to little fans.

In Birmingham Glaetzer can join an elite group by becoming just the fourth track rider to win three consecutive gold medals in the same event at the Commonwealth Games after fellow Australians Gary Neiwand (sprint 1986, 1990, 1994), Brad McGee (individual pursuit 1994, 1998, 2002) and Anna Meares (time trial 2006, 2010, 2014).

Birmingham will be Cornish’s first Commonwealth Games with the 22-year-old admitting he put all his energy into making the team when overlooked for the Tokyo Olympics last year.

“I miss the Olympics and that was a driver for me to keep pushing hard,’’ he said.

“This is so good, to see all the training and hard work has paid off.’’

Caleb Ewan. left, will lead the team in Birmingham.

Cornish was included into the cycling Australia podium middle Academy in Adelaide in 2018 after winning his time trial or junior title.

The time trial, which is no longer based at the Olympics, is his favourite event and when he hopes to race to gold in Birmingham.

He’s also hoping to be part of the team sprint outfit which is also considered a gold medal contender.

Caleb Ewan and Cornish are the only NSW members of the team.

Tour de France sprint sensation Caleb Ewan from the Southern Highlands of NSW heads the 34-strong squad racing in Birmingham to defend Australia’s position as the top cycling country in the Commonwealth.

Australia’s riders dominated the last Games on the Gold Coast back in 2018 with 14 gold medals bagged.

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Originally published as Commonwealth Games cycling: NSW sprinter Tom Cornish chasing golden double in Birmingham