Maribyrnong Sports Academy athlete Luke Plapp has hit a golden streak at the 2018 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland, with two world titles and a bronze medal to his name.
Plapp deferred his VCE studies for 2018 to allow him to focus on the World Championships claiming a gold medal in the points race and also taking the gold with teammate Blake Quick in the Madison. His bronze medal came in the Men’s Team Pursuit.
Australia as a team claimed three world titles, nine medals and a handful of world and Australian records at the event.
Luke revelled the next day to Cycling Australia's website that he celebrated his maiden World title by sleeping in his rainbow jersey.
“I was so sweaty, and it was so tight and hard to put on the jersey. But I didn’t take it off for the next 12 hours and slept in it. I honestly could not stop smiling the whole day and night. Also, to receive all the support from back home was something else!”
Plapp dedicated the win to teammate James Moriarty who broke a collarbone in a training crash two days out from the start of competition. “I would like to dedicate this race to James, this was meant to be his race,” explained Plapp. “I raced it on his behalf, and I’m sure he would have been in the same position as I would was in the race. It meant a lot to be able to win it for him, and I’m sure next year he will do it!
With Blake Quick, the pair won the Madison 47 points ahead of Russia and Denmark after figuring in all but two of the fourteen sprint decisions.
“The Madison has been my goal for so long,” revealed Plapp. “And to achieve it with such a fantastic mate was so special and once again having one of the previous best Madison riders in Matt Gilmore guiding us was unreal.
“You’d probably be able to tell after the 100 hugs and the celebrations after the race, that this one is going to take a while to sink in.
“I want to thank Matty Gilmore and Shane (Kelly) for coaching us over the last few months and Bernie for being an amazing team manager. Also to the Brunswick Cycling Club and Cam McFarlane for all his support and guidance and for just keeping me enjoying my cycling. And of course mum and dad.”
Quote’s with thanks to australiancyclingteam.com
Photo © klementdesign – UCI