OLYMPIC cyclist Melissa Hoskins defied the odds to be part of the Australian team that qualified third fastest in the women’s pursuit qualifier yesterday.
A training crash in the Rio Velodrome on Monday put the 25 year old, of Lesmurdie, on crutches with a badly bruised hip.
Hoskins, walking with the assistance of a stick, turned up at a training session on Wednesday with a smile on her face.
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READ NOWDespite her great show of strength, Great Britain stormed ahead in the qualifier to snatch the world record title from the Australian team.
The Australian cycling team announced on Wednesday that Hoskins, a critical member of the team, would compete on Thursday.
Hoskins raced alongside Georgia Baker, Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson, with Ashlee Ankudinoff in reserve.
Ankudinoff, Cure and Edmondson suffered track burns and splinters in Monday’s crash.
Qualifying results
1 GB 4:13.26
2 USA – 4:14.28
3 AUS – Australia 4:19.05
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