Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate our magnificent and emerging cycling talent in Northern Tasmania, epitomised by young champions like Lauren Perry in my electorate of Bass. In recent years I have been privileged to observe Lauren's development as a cyclist. Her second placing in the 2011 Stan Sjieka Cycling Classic, in the driving rain and in elite company, was a magnificent effort by a 16-year-old. A year later she took a step up onto the top level of the podium, winning the Classic at 17 years of age, in the process beating home a world championship silver medallist.

And last October there was Lauren's magnificent gold medal in the Women's 3000m Individual Pursuit at the Junior World Titles in Glasgow. Lauren's middle kilometre was spectacular. She broke the will of her Russian opponent and won the world title by two seconds—an eternity in an event like the individual pursuit. The photo of Lauren circling the velodrome with the Australian flag flying speaks of dedication, composure, and a ferocious will to win. And in the crowd as Lauren rides past is a clear image of a woman consumed by unrestrained joy—Lauren's mother.

It was an absolute thrill a few weeks ago to attend the civic reception for Lauren in our home city of Launceston and to see the rainbow jersey—the mark of a world champion. Congratulations to Lauren, her coach and her family. She is adding the next chapter in Tasmania's proud record of cycling achievement.