World class sprinter, Kristina Clonan will miss this year's Carnivals despite it being on her list of favourite events.
Kristina is eyeing success in Paris in July and is likely to be at the very pointy end of the competition and she's had to make the tough decision to miss the series and concentrate on her Olympic preparation.
"I love the Tassie Carnivals. The crowds are loud and the atmosphere is addictive... and the racing is exhilarating. Unfortunately, preparing for something like the Olympics means some sacrifice and I need to stick to a plan that gives me the best chance in Paris" Clonan said. "There are plans to build bigger Carnival crowds over the next couple of years with some ideas to make the racing even more exciting for us and for the crowd and I really want to be there to experience that. I'm gutted but fingers crossed for next year."
Kristina has already had success on the road before reinventing herself as a speed specialist in the track, winning the elite women’s sprint, keirin and time trial at National titles in 2020.
She proved that it wasn't just a flash in the pan in 2021 by sweeping all three speed events again... and again in 2022 while also proving herself on the world stage with gold in the time trial at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Milton. And there was more to come, with Gold again in the 500 metre time trial at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
"We're disappointed too" said event promoter David Dennis. "We already have plenty of firepower in the women's field with riders like Launceston Star Lauren Perry being a headliner, but Kristina would have added some extra spice... to the racing.
We'll hunt her down next year."
"On the upside, we have more than two dozen mainland and international riders in the men's and the women's fields and star locals that will be more than capable of getting the better of the outsiders. All we need now is more Tasmanians to rediscover the Christmas Carnivals and get behind locals like Josh Duffy and Lauren Perry... as they do battle with hugely talented riders that have made the effort to travel half-way across the world in some cases."
Cycling and Running entries now open. Come, feel the noise.
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