Rio Olympics 2016: Speedster Stephanie Morton on fast-track to cycling success

She’s been to a Paralympics as a pilot. Now Stephanie Morton is doing everything possible to ride at the Rio Olympics.

Australian cyclist Kaarle McCulloch (right) chases Stephanie Morton in the Sprint semi-final.

SPRINTER Stephanie Morton has upped the ante in her bid to make her first Olympic team with a sizzling performance on the track against some of the biggest names in the sport in a major meet in Melbourne.

Speedster Morton is chasing Rio Olympic selection after representing Australia in the Paralympics in 2012 in London where she piloted Felicity Johnson to gold in the women’s tandem.

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Stephanie Morton, Wai Sze Lee of HK and Kaarle McCulloch on the dais for the Womens Sprint during The Melbourne Cup on Wheels.

Just days out from Cycling Australia revealing its track team for the Rio Olympics and 48 hours after posting the second fastest flying 200m time ever recorded on Australian soil, Morton fired off the top qualifying time in the women’s sprint with a sizzling 10.891 secs on the weekend.

Morton’s time was nearly one tenth of a second faster than Wai Sze Lee (HKG-10.986), with reigning Olympic champion Anna Meares (11.147) third fastest.

Morton then defeated fellow Australian Kaarle McCulloch in their semi while Lee beat Meares in their matchup. Lee claimed the overall victory with a 2-0 win over Morton in the decider.

Despite the final loss Morton was more than content with her performance.

“I’m really happy,” Morton said. “Lee would have to be the fastest rider in the meet I think. “She’s definitely the fastest rider here in the sprint and the keirin and its really tough racing against her, and against Kaarle in the semi final, but this is exactly why we came here.

Centre group LtoR: Stephanie Morton and Anna Meares after winning the Team Sprint together earlier this year.

“Were all vying for Olympic selection. We need to show the selectors what we’ve got as well as have a bit of a dress rehearsal.”

Morton said she is delighted with her current form.

“I’m happy were I am, compared to where I was three-four years ago, two years ago I didn’t think Olympics were possible for me,” said Morton. “I couldn’t even get on Anna’s wheel, which is the whole purpose for the team sprint.

“But I’m really proud with the effort and the training I’ve done to get myself in the position to even be considered for Olympic selection.

“I can get on Anna or Kaarle’s wheel now which is a huge step for me.

“Even if I didn’t make the team it’s a massive step and I’m really happy with the improvement I’ve had each season.”

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Speedster Stephanie Morton on fast-track to cycling success