Australian Olympic gold medallist Grace Brown announces pregnancy on final day as reigning world champion
Recently retired Australian cycling champion Grace Brown has announced she is pregnant with her first child.
The 33-year-old’s pro career came to an end late last year after stunning the sport when she announced the decision prior to the Paris Olympics.
Brown went on to win time trial gold in Paris before doubling up with the world title two months later, remaining content and refusing to entertain a backflip.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.One year on and Brown is watching the 2025 world championships from home while she kicks off her next chapter with husband Elliot.
The Victorian shared the pregnancy news in style, posting a photo of herself riding her gold bike while wearing her rainbow jersey to cap off her time as the reigning world champion.
“Waving goodbye to the rainbow jersey and eyeing down the next challenge,” Brown wrote.
“Took the world champ kit out for a symbolic spin today. Tonight a new champion will own it! Can’t wait to watch the race unfold.
“I guess I won’t fit into the jersey or my TT position for much longer anyway.”
Friends and fans rushed to celebrate, with Paralympian Al Viney suggesting the rainbow jersey should stay in Brown’s rotation.
“Omg omg omg omg!!!! This is absolutely AMAZING news!!!! Congratulations x a million,” Viney wrote.
“And personally I think the rainbow jersey will look fab as crop top over your precious baby bump hehehe.”
Olympian Tiffany Cromwell said: “Congrats to you and Elliott!!!!”
Ella Bloor wrote: “What a way to launch the news!! Congrats you two!”
Brown was succeeded as world champion by Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser, who finished the 31.2km course just under a minute quicker than her nearest rivals.
Australia’s Brodie Chapman just missed out on a medal after being shaded by Dutch duo Anna van der Breggen (runner-up for a fifth time) and Demi Vollering for silver and bronze respectively.
But it was silver for Australian star Jay Vine in the men’s time trial.
The 29-yer-old covered the demanding, undulating 40.6km course in 51:00.83 seconds, a time only bettered by Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel’s 49:46.03.
Vine’s effort was still so fast he beat Belgian bronze medallist Ilan de Wilder by over 82 seconds and, even more remarkably, outpaced all-time great Tadej Pogacar by almost 83.
“It’s an incredible feeling representing your country at the world level,” beamed Vine, who recently won two stages and the King of the Mountain at the Vuelta a Espana.
“To bring back a silver medal — it’s not the one I wanted to bring back — but it’s a good consolation prize.”
For Vine, it represented the culmination of an incredible comeback.
The Queenslander’s life had been in the balance after a terrible crash at last year’s Tour of the Basque Country, which then left him having to recuperate from a career-threatening back injury.
But he recovered to finish fifth in last year’s time trial despite suffering a fall in the race.
Vine’s wife Bre was pregnant at the time of his serious crash and she watched Sunday’s silver-winning performance from home with their son Harrison.
- with AAP
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
