Soon to be four-time Olympian, Matthew Glaetzer, will lead a team of 19 cyclists at the Paris Olympics

At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, South Australian Matthew Glaetzer will join an exclusive club of Australian male cyclists including cycling greats Gary Neiwand and Shane Kelly.

The Australian Cycling team charged with restoring national pride in Paris has been declared.

In the wake of their worst Olympic Games performance in 30-years – one bronze medal – at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Australia have announced 19 road and track cyclists to compete at the Paris Olympics next month.

The Australian track sprint team are one of the leading gold medal favourites in Paris, led by veteran Matthew Glaetzer, who has made his fourth Olympic Team.

Glaetzer’s fourth Olympic appearance equals the second most for any male Australian track cyclist, behind only Shane Kelly’s five appearances.

Australia's Matthew Glaetzer heads to his fourth Olympic Games. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Among those also selected are nine Olympic debutants, seven athletes making their second Olympic Team and two athletes returning for their third Games.

“Our track and road cycling teams are a great mix of debutants and returning Olympians, yet despite the debuts, all bring great experience and composure to big time competition,” AOC chef de mission Anna Meares said.

“Making the Australian Olympic Team is never easy, and in this sport, winning and losing can come down to thousandths of a second.

“My excitement for this team is great, as are my hopes. It’s hard to not feel this way having dedicated 22 years myself to loving it. And I admit, it will be one sport I’ll find the hardest to watch

“All the athletes selected can be proud of their efforts, and grateful for those who have supported and pushed them. I look forward to seeing them compete in Paris.”

Kristina Clonan, Georgia Baker, Alex Manly, Maeve Plouffe, Sophie Edwards and Chloe Moran will contest the women’s track events, with Matthew Glaetzer, Matthew Richardson, Leigh Hoffman, Kelland O’Brien, Sam Welsford, Conor Leahy and Oliver Bleddyn on the men’s side.

Grace Brown, Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Lauretta Hanson, Michael Matthews, Simon Clarke and Lucas Plapp will take on the road events, racing through Paris’ iconic monuments, with the start and finish line of the road race in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

Originally published as Soon to be four-time Olympian, Matthew Glaetzer, will lead a team of 19 cyclists at the Paris Olympics