Australia hopes in cycling riding high ahead of London Olympics

Australian track cycling duo Cameron Meyer and Jack Bobridge are hoping to throw a stick in the spokes of hosts Britain by winning gold at next year's London Olympics.       

Meyer, 23, and Bobridge, 21, will defend their team pursuit title at the worlds in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, in two weeks, but have set their sights on boosting Australia's gold tally in London 2012.       

Britain chalked up eight cycling golds in Beijing 2008 while Australia took home just one silver, but Bobridge, who recently broke the 4km individual pursuit world record, is confident about his chances next year.       

"It's going to be very difficult. They have a lot of support from the fans. They will be very motivated to win on their home ground," International Cycling Union (UCI) number one and Tour Down Under winner Meyer said on Saturday in Singapore.       
"But Australians are good under pressure. I think we will rise to the challenge and we will be very competitive and be a very strong challenge for the gold medals.       

"It (breaking the world record) gives you confidence. You know you're capable of riding this fast," he said.       

"With that it comes a bit of pressure, but I like a bit of pressure, I like a bit of competition, so we'll just have to wait and see what the other riders can do. At the end of the day, whoever is the strongest will win."       

The pair are popular sports figures in Australia but also drew attention in Singapore where they took part in the OCBC Cycle road event in the city-state.       

"We signed a few signatures and photographs, someone had a paper of me, and there was someone who went 'Go Cameron!' when I was out here," said Meyer with a smile.       

"It's a very nice feeling. It''s nice to know that around the world some people know you and that you had the support."