Cycling: Cycling seizes chance to step up a gear, page 1

The world track cycling championships held in Melbourne last week could be the financial breakthrough for the sport. Apart from raising the sport's profile, the event was well attended, it showed off Vodafone Arena's capabilities as a velodrome and, importantly, it opened the eyes of the International Cycling Union.

As a consequence, on several fronts, there are plans for cycling to try to take the next step in Australia.

The organisers of the world championships hope to host a series of exhibition track events as early as later this year to bring cycling back on television more regularly. In addition, Melbourne is now likely to bid for the world road championships, to be held in 2010, a move supported by hints that the bid might be favourably considered by the sport's governing body.

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