Statement on Men’s 1000m Time Trial at Birmingham 2022

Following extensive testing and an exhaustive investigation of alternatives, it has been determined that the pursuit bars due to be used in today’s Men’s 1000m Time Trial at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games cannot be used safely.

As a result, our riders will use drop bars which can tolerate the loads generated during the competition, but will likely result in marginally slower times.

According to AusCycling Executive General Manager: Performance, Jesse Korf, the decision was made after comprehensive testing revealed Australia’s riders in the event would generate significantly more power than the bars could handle.

“We acknowledge that this decision has created a degree of disappointment, but the riders and the broader team understand that safety is our top priority,” he said.

“We have made significant changes to procedures, team structure and process since the Tokyo Olympics and this decision is reflective of a new and thorough approach to long-term engineering excellence, competitive success, and athlete welfare.”

Korf said the timing of the decision had been driven by the need to fully test equipment for the specific demands of the 1000m Time Trial – a non-Olympic event – and to then investigate possible alternatives.

He said AusCycling would work with track equipment partner Argon 18 to investigate a bespoke handlebar set-up ahead of the UCI Track World Championships in France in October.