PORT Macquarie cyclist Lauren Kitchen has been selected in the Australian UCI Road World Championships team for next month’s trip to Qatar.
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Kitchen and the rest of the Australians will face tough competition in Doha, however that is not the only challenge.
With the temperatures still lingering above 40 degrees, the heat may be the biggest challenge and adaption over the coming weeks will be a key part of Lauren’s preparation.
“I will have some sessions over the coming weeks to help me adapt to Qatar’s heat and I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Kitchen said.
She will provide additional experience which is needed for the team.
While disappointed not to be selected for the Rio Olympics, Kitchen has overcome that and is looking forward to putting her best foot forward from October 9-16.
The pain of missing out on Olympic selection no doubt lingers, but selection at a world championship level softens the blow.
“Being picked in the world’s team was always a goal and while Rio non-selection happened it is time to move on and continue with my career,” she said.
“But for sure it gives me extra motivation, not only for selections but to perform at the world’s highest level.”
Her role in Doha is yet to be fully defined, but she believes it will be as a lead out rider for in-form sprinter Chloe Hosking.
Hosking has six wins in 2016.
Kitchen sees this as an important selection to lay confirmation on her strong performances throughout 2016 and gives more motivation moving into 2017.
“I’m really happy to be named in the team because it was a goal for the year and I’m happy that I have reached this, but the job is not done yet,” she said.
Kitchen is very motivated to end a season where she has experienced the highs and lows on a positive note.
“It has been a long season, but it has also been my best year so far in terms of being in the mix in the world’s biggest races,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to the last few weeks of training.”
She knows she has an important role to play.
“It means a lot to be selected to represent Australia,” she said.
“I believe I have a lot of experience that can help the team come away with a top result in Qatar and I look forward to delivering that in a few weeks time.”