Josh Tarling doesn't have to look far for inspiration as he competes in the road and track races at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The template has already been drawn by his Ineos Grenadiers teammates.

Three years ago in Tokyo, Filippo Ganna led Italy to gold in the team pursuit just days after finishing fifth in the time trial.

Turling, who was already assured of a place on the road after winning a time trial bronze medal at the Glasgow World Championships last August, was appointed to Britain's elite track endurance program over the winter. After competing in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race this weekend, he will remain in Australia to compete in the Adelaide Track World Cup.

Teammate Ganna and 2016 Olympic omnium champion Elia Viviani had the same idea, with the Italians choosing to combine the start of their road season in Australia with competition on the track.

"Ganna is the best Pursuit rider in the world and Elia is probably the best bunch rider in the world.

Tarling is still weeks away from her 20th birthday, but after exceeding expectations on the road in her debut World Tour season last year, she was told she was expected to take on two Olympic duties.

With strict restrictions on who can compete at the Olympics, athletes who can do combined events are highly prized, and Tarling has the pedigree to do so. He won European titles at the junior and under-23 levels and collected enough points on the track in Geneva and Grenchen in the winter to qualify for the World Cup.

"It depends on what happens, but ideally I would like to do Team Pursuit and Madison at the Olympics," Tarling said. 'We qualified for the World Cup right after Cadel, so we're going to do that and see how it goes.'

After Adelaide, Tarling, like Ganna and Viviani, will not race on the track until the summer. 'I'm only going to one World Cup, so it's going to be training,' he said. 'Of course, if the track team needs me to do it, I'll do it, but mainly I'll be training for track and balancing it with road racing.'

Turling had a great debut season with Ineos in 2023. He won a bronze medal at the World Championships behind Ganna and Remco Evenpole, as well as the European time trial title, the Chrono de Nations, and a stage win in the Leniuí Tour.

"I did really well last year and now I feel confident going into the race. I know there is room for improvement," Tarling said.

"This year I can be a good helper, and I know the group better, so maybe I'll get a chance in the time trial or on the road stages."

In Australia this month, Tarling has been used primarily as support for Viviani and Honatan Narvaez.

"To be honest, I don't mind leading the way or anything. I don't see it as a 'chance', I see it as a different role."

Still, taking on two different roles in Paris is an opportunity to be seized.