Ramsay begins "There can be no more positive confirmation of Australia's preeminence in sprint cycling than the fact top United States track riders have journeyed to Adelaide to complete their preparations for the Atlanta Games."
"US keiren champion Paul Swift and national sprint silver medallist Trey Gannon have spent the past few weeks observing Australian sprint coach Gary West's training methods at the acclaimed Australian Institute of Sport cycling program, and competing against local riders who are expected to dominate medal events at the Olympics."
"And as if to dispel top-level cycling's reputation as a clandestine and poisonously competitive environment, the Americans have been warmly welcomed by the Australians, as have German and Latvian sprinters who are also training at Adelaide's Superdrome."
"US team coach Skip Cutting said yesterday the opportunity to ride in summer conditions on a track similar to that laid in Atlanta was only a small consideration when Australia was chosen as a training base leading into June's Olympic trials in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. Full of praise for Australian sprinters Gary Neiwand and Darryn Hill and the methods which have elevated them to world dominance, Cutting decided Adelaide was ahead of all other warm-up options for his charges."
Cutting said "Australia's track riders are the number one team in the world so if you want to test yourself against the best and see how the best prepare then this is where you come."
Ramsay continues "The thought of sworn sporting rivals sharing facilities and knowledge may seem incongruous to those who recall military-style secrecy which has surrounded bike development in the lead-up to previous Olympics."
Bill interjects and reminds US readers how the US team would not allow the Australian's to use the Colorado track in the lead up to last year's Worlds.
"But Cutting insists his US Sprint riders will be seated on bikes virtually identical to those trialled in Adelaide and rigid specifications meant there was uniformity among most competitor's sprint machines."
Cutting said "I think teams look more at the cloak and dagger side of track cycling primarily in the endurance events. Sprint cycling tends to use more traditional bikes, the requirements are very straightforward and some elements like steel handlebars haven't changed too much over the years."
Ramsay says that "despite the traditional strength of European cyclists, the Germans, Spaniards and French in particular, the Americans believe Australia's proven training regimen under head coach Charlie Walsh allows them to claim 'team to beat' status in Atlanta. Gannon said US cycling officials had already eyed the AIS program with great envy and were gradually moving towards a similar structure themselves. But he conceded the end results was not one which could be achieved through increased funding."
The 30 year old Gannon said "The difference here is dedication. Australia has given Charlie Walsh the freedom to steer his own ship and he's got the results, whereas in the US it seems to be more technologically driven."