Cycling legend Steele Bishop is aiming to conquer the world once more.
The Perth champion has his eye on taking out the top prize in the 65- to 69-year-old category at the World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester in October.
At 19, Steele became the youngest Olympic cyclist when he represented Australia at in the 1972 Munich Games.
He retired from the sport at 21 and became a firefighter, then returned at 30 and became world champion in the individual pursuit.
Three decades on the lure of racing is still strong for the Kalamunda-born champ.
In 2017 he took part in a legends race that reignited the passion he thought he left behind when he retired in 1984.
Steele got back into training and in April blitzed the competition at the Australian Masters Track Cycling Championships in Brisbane, winning three gold medals.
Having shaved 3.5 seconds off the world record for the 2000m individual pursuit, he is the man to beat in the upcoming world championships.
"Something in me wanted to prove that I have still got it," he said of his return to the track.
"The basic principles of success are the same as when I was starting out. You write down your goals and use affirmations.
"A lot of it is mental. In April, with five laps to go, fatigue set in and I was really suffering. (But) I have a powerful affirmation from Muhammed Ali and it came into my head and got me through."
Steele is just starting to get back into serious training for Manchester. "Every day for the next five months, I know exactly what I am going to be doing. If you don't have a plan, you are planning to fail."
Steele has recently released his memoir, which traces his cycling journey towards achieving his boyhood dream and becoming the best in the world.
"I had stickability, I never gave up, I kept going and had perseverance. I love speed and danger and I love winning; it's exhilarating."
- Wheels of Steele: The Makings of a World Champion (Rockpool Publishing), $29.99
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