Shane Perkins

The son of a successful cyclist, Perkins began racing BMX bikes before shifting his attention to the track discipline. He won a gold medal in the sprint at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in his hometown of Melbourne. One year later he finished first in the keirin at the 2011 world championships. Poised for another big performance at the 2012 worlds, Perkins did not even reach the second round of the keirin but finished a respectable fourth in the individual sprint. However, Perkins’ experience at the 2012 worlds was not totally disappointing after he won gold as part of Australia’s team sprint squad. Though Perkins has enjoyed a successful cycling career and is focused on a memorable experience in London, his career has not been without controversy. Shortly after posting a pair of victories at the 2004 junior world championships, Perkins was suspended for six months for testing positive for methamphetamine that was found in some nasal medication he had taken. Then in 2007, he was involved in an alcohol-related altercation outside a bar and was banned by Cycling Australia for three months. Perkins has made a point to get back on the straight and narrow after becoming a father in 2008.