Apps Wins Youth Olympic Road Race Silver
The 17-year-old finished just behind Russia's Angelina Novolodskaya in Dakar, the only Australian in the women's field.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Cycling
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Elsie Apps won silver in the women's cycling road race at the Youth Olympics in Dakar, West Africa, finishing one hour and 31 minutes after the 59.5km race. Tasmania's Caleb McKenzie also took bronze in the men's 70km road race.
Why it matters
Apps delivered the result despite contracting respiratory syncytial virus six weeks before the race and riding without a team to rely on. Her selection followed success with the ARA Skip Capital under-19 national team in Belgium.
The result is drawn from the official women's road race classification, with Apps finishing just behind Russia's Angelina Novolodskaya over a 59.5km course. Her season record includes six podium finishes over almost four months, but the source does not detail the time gap to the winner.
The players
Elsie Apps
A 17-year-old Australian cyclist from Goulburn who won silver in the Youth Olympic women's road race.
Caleb McKenzie
A Tasmanian cyclist who won bronze in the men's 70km Youth Olympic road race.
Angelina Novolodskaya
A Russian cyclist who won the Youth Olympic women's road race ahead of Elsie Apps.
The details
Apps rode just behind the leader and was positioned next to the winner coming into the final lap. She let the race play out and waited for gaps rather than expending energy early, and was the only Australian in the women's road race.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: Apps raced for the ARA Skip Capital under-19 national team in Belgium.
Six weeks before the race: Apps contracted respiratory syncytial virus.
8 November 2026: Women's road race in Dakar, where Apps won silver.
10 November 2026: Apps competes in the Dakar time trial.
15 November 2026: Apps jets home from Dakar.
Season Trajectory
Apps's silver extends a season of six podium finishes in the under-19 ranks, marking her as a rising rider in the Australian cycling pipeline. The result also sets up her planned 2027 move to a European team in Belgium.
Apps's result is a reminder that youth selection can come after a strong run of podium placings rather than a single big win. Readers following Australian junior cycling can watch for her time trial start in Dakar and her 2027 European team debut.
The takeaway
Apps's silver shows that riding patiently and staying close to the leader can pay off in a tactical road race. Her progression from Belgian under-19 racing to a Youth Olympic podium offers a clear pathway for young riders.
What happens next
Apps competes in the Dakar time trial on 10 November 2026 and is scheduled to race in Belgium with a European team in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Cycling in Australia for context on the country's youth and professional road pipeline.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Crookwell Gazette.
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