Orica-AIS rider Katrin Garfoot eyeing Olympic glory after winning national championship
A BRONZE medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games was a surprise, a gold medal at the national champs was a relief and now Katrin Garfoot wants Olympic glory in Rio.
Cycling
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A BRONZE medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games was a surprise, a gold medal in Thursday’s national championships was a relief and now Katrin Garfoot wants Olympic glory in Rio.
The German-born time trialler is shaping as Australia’s best chance of a medal in women’s cycling at the Games after a dominant performance to win the 29.3km time trial at Buninyong.
Garfoot, 34, who rides for Orica-AIS beat four-time and defending champion Shara Gillow by 46 seconds and Tiffany Cromwell by 1min 37secs in a world class podium.
Garfoot, who moved to Australia in 2008 and became a citizen in 2013, confirmed her Olympic medal potential with fourth place at last year’s world championships and is now daring to dream that anything is possible.
“That pressure (for selection) is still on but that’s on for everyone who wants to go (to Rio),” she said.
“I want to win, I don’t think it’s too far-fetched but I have to work really hard and give my best.”
Post-race Garfoot described her emotions as a “cocktail of being stuffed and being happy”.
“There is definitely relief there just because of the pressure I put on myself, I wanted to get an Australian title in my career,” the Queenslander said.
“Glasgow (Commonwealth Games) was better because it was more unexpected, I didn’t have the pressure then, but it definitely changed after that. It was about then I decided to be a time trialist and focus on that.”
Despite her strong start, Garfoot had to endure a nervous second half of the race when she incorrectly heard over race radio that she was five seconds down on the leader - despite being well in front - at the turnaround point.
“I had to really focus on pushing up those climbs, in my head that’s what I thought I had to do,” Garfoot said.
“I tried to push really hard the last four kilometres and it worked out in the end.”
Cromwell’s strong showing in the time trial confirmed her status as one of the main contenders for gold in Sunday’s road race.
“I’ve been quietly confident coming into this week, I’ve had a different approach to previous years and haven’t done any of the summer racing,” Cromwell said.
“I’m really happy with where I’m at, the road race (on Sunday) is a bigger target and a little bit more of a lottery so we’ll see what we can do.
“But I wanted a podium for the time trial and am kicking goals already so can’t complain.”
Queenslander Emily Roper was the best-placed under-23 rider with ninth overall to secure the junior women’s title.
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Orica-AIS rider Katrin Garfoot eyeing Olympic glory after winning national championship
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