Balgownie cyclist Gary Mandy puts in master class at nationals

The Balgownie cyclist secured four gold medals and a bronze at the Cycling Australia competition in Brisbane last week.

Mandy secured wins in the 500-metre time trial, match sprint team sprint and Keirin races in the 60-65 years men's category. The 60-year-old also finished third in the individual pursuit.

"I was very happy with my form," Mandy said.

"I was able to go into the championships with good health and no injuries, that's always a plus. And my performances were good, I was actually really pleased with how I rode all-round.

"I was [particularly] happy with my sprint result. My qualifying time was only a couple hundreds [of a second] off my personal best."

Mandy was joined at the championships by fellow Illawarra riders Shane Dirks and James Robinson.

Mandy and Dirks were part of Team Parrawanna which won gold in the men's team sprint category.

"Shane, myself and Geoff Stoker teamed up in the team sprint and we did really well," Mandy said.

"We were riding against a very seasoned and fast team, also from New South Wales. We were very pleased to qualify fastest in the heat and bring home gold against them in the final."

See more: Shane Dirks makes superb return to track cycling

Mandy has competitively cycled for more than 40 years and is also a coach.

Mandy, who has competed at the world championships, said he was always striving for better performances.

"The fact that I'm competitive and at the top of my age group drives me to train consistently, keep pushing the envelope, do what works well and adapt trying new training techniques that help you improve that little bit more," Mandy said.

"I'm very aware of performances, attitudes and things like that, so I try to retain a positive attitude. That probably drives me to be a little bit more focused.

"I train hard, train consistently and do the right things."

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