I’ve spent most of my life as an athlete. I understand what it means to want something so badly that you structure your entire life around it. I also understand how fragile the pathway between talent and opportunity can be. For every athlete who makes it, there are countless others who simply never get the chance, not because they weren’t good enough, but because the system around them couldn’t support them at the right moment.

 

"For every athlete who makes it, there are countless others who simply never get the chance."

 

Cycling development in Australia has never been simple. There have been periods where the national system has struggled to consistently lead or support the next generation in a meaningful, sustained way. We are deep into one of those periods right now. This is why independent development programs have become essential.

ACA is not just a team. It is an environment. One built around consistency, accountability, and progression. Over the past five years, we’ve watched it operate as Australia’s premier development pathway, not because of funding or fanfare, but because of the standards it holds and the responsibility it takes on. Our continued commitment to ACA is, in many ways, a commitment to the people who are taking the responsibility to take young athletes and help them realise their potential.

 

 

"Development is only meaningful if it leads somewhere. Over the past five years, the riders who have progressed through ACA and ARA Skip Capital speak for themselves."

 

Over the past five years, the riders who have progressed through ACA and ARA Skip Capital speak for themselves. Athletes like Sophie Marr and Alli Anderson, now signed to Liv AlUla Jayco, and Lucie Fityus, signed to St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93, represent the next generation of Australian riders stepping into the WorldTour environment. Lucinda Stewart, now with Jayco AlUla, Anya Louw at AG Insurance–Soudal, and Will Holmes with Hagens Berman Axeon–Jayco further demonstrate the strength of the pathway from development into elite professional programs.

 

 

The depth of emerging talent continues to grow. Anna Dubier has built an extraordinary junior career, earning Junior Track Female Athlete of the Year, claiming seven national titles, becoming the 2025 U19 Road National Champion, and securing World Championship titles on the track. Amelie Saunders has consistently delivered on the world stage, earning bronze medals at the 2025 Junior World Championships in both the Madison and Omnium, while also claiming U19 National titles in the Criterium and Time Trial. These are not isolated successes. They are the result of an environment that allows athletes to progress without being rushed or lost.

 

"Our commitment to ACA is about ensuring those moments continue to exist. About backing the years of work that come before the spotlight."

 

In 2026, riders including Hannah Gianatti, Amelie Saunders, and Anna Dubier will make their WorldTour debuts at the Tour Down Under. That moment matters. But what matters more is everything that led them there. Our commitment to ACA is about ensuring those moments continue to exist. About backing the years of work that come before the spotlight.

 

Former Australian Cycling Academy riders Sophie Edwards, Hannah Gianatti, Amelie Sanders, Ana Dubier, and Oliver Bleddyn will line up at the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under.

 

This article was written by John Polson, Founder of Black Sheep Performance Apparel.