Double podium for Australian cycling duo on Day 9 in Dakar

Elsie Apps (NSW) and Caleb McKenzie (TAS) have delivered two more medals for Australia following exciting rides in the women’s and men’s road races in Dakar.

Apps won silver in the women’s road race, which came down to the final sprint to the line, with McKenzie claiming a gutsy bronze medal in the men’s road race.

Apps said it feels unbelievable to be on the podium.

“It feels amazing. I never would have expected that to come away from this. It’s such a great feeling to be able to do it for the country and show everyone what I’ve got.”

“I honestly couldn’t believe it. My heart skipped a beat. It’s just the best feeling ever, and I had to look back and make sure that I was definitely second,” she said.

Going into the final lap of the race, Apps was still in the main pack while a breakaway group of riders was 30 seconds ahead. It wasn’t long until the peloton caught the breakaway group to make it an exciting dash to the finish line.

Apps said she was confident in what she needed to do in the scenario to keep herself in the race.

“Definitely just to keep relaxed, like don’t waste energy stressing. Just let the race play out and just keep an eye on what the gap is and how far away they are. If a big country goes, try and follow it within that last lap. The second someone went, made sure I was on it and managed to bring it back,” she said.

With a silver medal to her name, Apps said the experience of racing in Dakar has been invaluable for her career.

“I haven’t done many international races where I am the only person from my country. So, it’s definitely been a good experience to learn how to ride on my own, not having teammates to rely on helping me bring back gaps. It’s been an amazing opportunity to be able to come here and compete in this,” she said.

In the men’s road race, McKenzie provided the ride of the day with a gutsy performance to win the bronze medal.

McKenzie saw an opportunity at the start of lap three and broke away from the peloton.

“I definitely didn’t want to go solo so early, but I found the situation. We talked about it before we race. When you commit, you commit 100% and that’s what I did,” he said.

McKenzie held a solo lead for six laps of the race, where at times he maintained a lead of over a minute.

“They were always at the same gap and I just didn’t doubt myself. I knew if I got to those two laps to go, that I was going to be in the chance for a medal, so I didn’t stop.”

On the final lap, he was caught at the halfway mark by a chase group of three riders. McKenzie stayed with the group until the final sprint to the line where he crossed in third, earning a medal for his bold efforts.

McKenzie’s brilliant ride added a second Australian medal for the day, which he said feels rewarding for a massive year on the bike.

“I had a lot of confidence coming in. I knew I was good in training, and it’s been such a long year, and to have a result that finally goes my way is amazing,” he said.

“It feels amazing. I made it a really hard ride for myself, but it all paid off in the end.”

Apps and McKenzie will be back in the time trial on Tuesday 10 November (local time).

Australia now has four medals at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games including two silver and two bronze medals.