Olympics gold medalist Sam Welsford reflects on 2024 and future aspirations: “I've got really big goals this year”
Cycling
Australian sprinter Sam Welsford is aiming to elevate his performances on the road next season, seeking a stronger engine and greater consistency after a year of balancing road racing with his Olympic track commitments.
Welsford claimed Olympic Games gold in 2024 as part of Australia's team pursuit squad, capping a remarkable track career.
"It was a tricky season balancing the Olympics and the road. I had a really good start Down Under and then winning in Hungary was nice. But I probably didn't hit the marks I really wanted to hit, and I've got really big goals this year to try to win consistently over the year," Welsford told Cyclingnews at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's December training camp.
Welsford reflected on the split nature of his 2024 season, where his road results were concentrated early in the year before his attention shifted entirely to the track.
"I won four races, but that was stacked in the first half of the season and then not so much after. Obviously, the track focus took away a little bit from the road. But I have no regrets," he said.
"The Olympics was a big goal of mine, and the team really supported that. They knew that I was going to be away for this period and focusing on the track. Thankfully, it worked out really well, and I finally got that Olympic gold I'd been chasing."
Welsford's triumph in Paris marked the culmination of a decade-long pursuit of Olympic glory, completing his medal set after earning silver in Rio and bronze in Tokyo.
"To win gold after a silver in Rio and then bronze in Tokyo was super special. And, to complete the set of medals in the team pursuit is something a lot of people don't get to say they've done," he said, as he reflects on his superb track career.
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