If the intense competition for Olympic spots wasn’t enough, emerging Australian track cyclists Alex and Annette Edmondson have sibling rivalry to fall back on.
The South Australian brother and sister act turned out to be a revelation for the national team at the test event for the London Games.
Alex Edmondson, who turned 18 two months ago, was part of the men’s pursuit team that spanked the British foursome at the Olympic velodrome.
As his team-mates Michael Hepburn and Jack Bobridge praised his performance, the youngster was doubled over a railing behind them trying to recover.
“I could not even see straight at the end – I was just seeing stars,” he said.
Annette proved herself not just a vital cog of Australia’s women’s pursuit team that collected bronze but a legitimate Olympic medal contender in the omnium.
In her first international outing in the multi-discipline event, she came close to beating a field that included all three medallists from last year’s world titles.
Edmondson, 20, finished level on points but American Sarah Hammer won the day courtesy of a superior average speed.
The former sprinter has provided a timely solution for Australian cycling’s brains trust as, only a few months ago, they weren’t sure who to pick for the event.
She was bracing for her cheeky little brother to tell her all about his gold medal.
“Yeah, I am fearing that,” she said with a smile.
“I just want to say that at least mine is individual.
“That is my comeback because I know he is going to shove it in my face.”