Bradley Wiggins hype a bonus for Australia’s victorious pursuit team

AUSTRALIAN cycling coach Tim Decker said the biggest prize from the team pursuit gold was racing Bradley Wiggins on British soil.

Track Cycling Day 1

AUSTRALIAN cycling coach Tim Decker said the biggest prize from winning gold in the team pursuit in Glasgow was exposing his young riders to the pressure of racing a Bradley Wiggins-led England on British soil.

Decker admitted he was worried about 'the Wiggins factor' from the moment the four-time Olympic gold medallist and Tour de France champion revealed he was returning to track cycling.

AUSSIES SMASH WIGGINS AND BRITS

But it gave Australia's quartet of Jack Bobridge, Glenn O'Shea, Alex Edmondson and Luke Davison a huge challenge and on Thursday night they responded by smashing England by six seconds in a Commonwealth Games record of 3mins 54 secs.

“Of course I was worried, it played on my mind,” Decker said.

Jack Bobridge, Luke Davison, Alex Edmondson and Glenn O'Shea of Australia celebrate with coaching staff.

“But for us it was all about competing against England, on their home track over here, and feeling the pressure of having Brad Wiggins there.

“That was fantastic because they (Australian riders) had to feel the pressure of having not only a four-time Olympic champion but a Tour de France winner on the track, he's a superstar.

MEARES THE HERO’S HERO

“Whether they came up trumps or ran second, that's why we put a bit of emphasis on a certain time.”

The result was an emphatic statement from Australia, which is on a path to Olympic redemption after surrendering the 4km team pursuit title to Great Britain in 2008.

A disappointed Bradley Wiggins came up short with England in the team pursuit.

Decker said Australia still had plenty of work to do, in particular making sure all four riders got to the finish after starter Luke Davison paid the price for doing an extra long turn on the front by losing contact with his teammates after 2300m.

But he said the result was an important step on its journey towards the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“I always targeted a good time at the Commonwealth Games to show progression in the Olympic cycle,” said Decker who took over as Australia's men's endurance coach post-London.

Australian wins gold against England in the team pursuit.

“We were fortunate we got Jack (Bobridge) back involved in the team and that's helped lift the status but don't forget we also left a world champion at home in Mitch Mulhern because we could only select a certain number of riders and had to cover four events here.

“So it's just about building some more depth now and trying to get four people to the finish in the final.”

Decker said although Australia had won the Commonwealth Games battle with England, really good teams find a way to win consistently and his riders would not be lulled into a false sense of security.

Australia collects its gold medals.

“We've discussed all of that, the boys know firmly where they're at,” Decker said.

“We know what Great Britain are capable of, and any time you get beaten you become the hunter.

“It's easy to win once but to win again and again, that's the sign of real stars and that's what they need to get to.”

Originally published as Bradley Wiggins hype a bonus for Australia’s victorious pursuit team