Felicity Wilson-Haffenden has reflected on the contrasting emotions of her maiden Commonwealth Games, saying the pride of claiming a gold medal far outweighed the disappointment of a disqualification.
In the space of two days in Glasgow three weeks ago, the 21-year-old from Glendevie helped Australia extend its perfect Games record in the women’s team pursuit then reached the bronze medal final in the individual pursuit only to be disqualified over taping around her shoulder.
“It was obviously a huge rollercoaster of emotions between the two events,” Wilson-Haffenden said this week.
“The win in the team pursuit was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my career. Of course winning is always special but actually standing on the podium with teammates is such a rare opportunity in cycling so to have this moment was incredibly special.
“I had the goal to come away with at least one gold medal from the Commonwealth Games but actually putting it in practice is something entirely different. I remember idolising Australian athletes winning at Comm Games as a kid and I hope even one girl has seen something from our team that might inspire them to try sport. The first win at a major Games is obviously a major step in any career, so it is a moment I will remember forever.
“I had a lot of expectation on a good performance in the individual pursuit the following day and was incredibly disappointed with my qualifying ride. To have turned this around and mentally prepared to come back for the bronze final only to have it taken away hours after the event in a circumstance I, and the rest of the team, whole-heartedly disagreed with, was devastating.
“Of course, it put a slight damper on the overall experience, but I have tried to not let it ruin the great performance from the team pursuit.”
On the opening night of competition at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the Australian women’s endurance team, which also included fellow Tasmanian Georgia Baker, 31, South Australian Sophie Edwards, 26, Alyssa Polites, 23, of Victoria, and Claudia Marcks, 22, of ACT, set a new Games record to defeat New Zealand for the third consecutive 4000m team pursuit final.
Baker followed up with another gold in the 10km scratch race, silver behind Polites in the elimination race and bronze in the 25km points race.
Wilson-Haffenden believed the group has massive potential on the global stage ahead of world championships in Shanghai in October, with the next Olympics just two years away in Los Angeles.
“Performance-wise I can be very happy with the team pursuit and see only room to grow here. Of course the individual pursuit did not go to plan but I am reminded it is still only early in my career and it is just a step along the journey.
“My experience was highlighted by my teammates on the track. The women’s endurance program performed exceptionally across all events, the momentum we will take for both current elite riders and at the junior level will be very exciting.
“Success is always a great catalyst for motivation, so I am definitely hungry to keep on this trajectory. I believe there is so much room for improvement still which will be necessary once we come to competition both at world championship level and looking to LA.
“Personally I can say I also have a little bit of revenge to take come worlds in China should I be selected, so I look forward to showing my true capabilities in an individual pursuit.”
Wilson-Haffenden, who had also won a junior road time trial title in Glasgow in 2023, said she will always reflect positively on her first Commonwealth Games experience.
“I can be honest in saying I am quite a focused and somewhat introverted person so it was a lot to get used to the extra attention and ‘frills’ in Glasgow. The Australian team did a fabulous job of making it feel like a special occasion and I am very grateful to have been able to enjoy some of the small details they included to make it feel a little like home.
“Most of all this week reminded me I love track cycling so will be continuing to ensure I keep coupling it with my road program.”
Since the Games, the Australian individual time trial champion has returned to her WorldTour team Lidl-Trek and has been named to contest a couple of upcoming races in Belgium.