O'Shea to ride Christmas Carnivals

Basslink Tasmanian Christmas Carnival organisers have announced that national Madison champion Glenn O'Shea will ride in this year's events. O'Shea, who last week won the points race at the Melbourne World Cup, is considered one of the best emerging riders in Australian endurance track cycling, described by observers as the 'next big thing'.

The 19-year-old Bendigo rider recently competed in Europe under the guidance of Tasmanian Institute of Sport coach Matthew Gilmore, where he teamed with fellow Victorian Leigh Howard and was successful in a number of Madison events against strong European competition.

O'Shea joins the likes of Mark Jamieson, Matthew Goss and Nathan Clarke at this year's carnivals, and his explosive style and strength in endurance events should make the competition fierce and the racing entertaining in what event organisers are calling a 'new era' for this Tasmanian Christmas tradition.