Alex Edmondson is one of Australia’s brightest cycling stars.

At the age of 18, Edmondson became the second-youngest cyclist ever to be selected for an Australian Olympic Team.

With his sister Annette, who is also a big Crows fan, the Edmondsons became the first brother and sister combination to be selected to represent Australia at the same Olympics (2012).

Now 22, the South Australian is a Commonwealth Gold Medallist and three-time World Champion, who has his eyes firmly on the Rio Olympics next year. We catch up with Alex while he's back in Adelaide ...

How and why did you start supporting the Crows?
That's an interesting one! I spent the first few years of my life overseas. When we moved back to Australia in 1996, I learned about this Australian Football League which was different to the football I knew on the other side of the world. That’s when I first found out about the Adelaide Crows. It was also helped by all my cousins being fanatical Crows supporters, so the decision was an easy one!

How often do you watch Crows games?
While in Australia, I always watch the games. When I’m overseas its gets a bit difficult trying to sort good enough Internet to stream the games all the time ... but that’s where Twitter is a God send!

Where’s the quirkiest place you’ve watched a Crows game from?
I have watched a few games in strange places around the world, but I think I would have to say when I was in Azerbaijan for a tour two years ago. I remember we were staying at this palace-like hotel 450kms inland in the middle of a desert from Baku – that was a bit different!

Who is your favourite player (past or present), and why?
I would have to say Andrew McLeod. I remember sitting there as a kid yelling at the TV, ‘Come on Macca! He was an amazing talent and it was always exciting to watch him play. It wasn't just what he did on the field it was also his work off it. He gave back a lot to the community, which is why I think he really stood out to me.

Do you own any Crows memorabilia or merchandise?
I have a couple of jerseys. I used to have a Crows football until my dog Hamish got his jaws around it. I took a Crows jersey over to Italy with me and wore it with pride whenever the boys played!

Can you tell us any funny Crows-related stories?
There are a few but I would say the best were when we were younger. Having a family BBQ with our whole family, the dinner would have to be put on hold as we all sat down to yell at the TV while the Crows played!

You’re based in Europe part of the year. Tell us about that?
Yes, I’m based in the north of Italy in a place called, Gavirate, during the Aussie winter. The European Training Centre is based there, which is the Australian Institute of Sport, but in Europe. I went over in March and wasn’t meant to be coming home until mid-October. I am part of the Jayco AIS World Academy team, which in short is the Australian Under-23 National Team. I had a pretty successful start to the year with a couple of wins, but unfortunately my road season ended in early August because I needed surgery.

It's still a year away, but how big a focus are the Rio Olympics?
It’s crazy to think that they are already that close! It feels like last week we were standing at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. For me, every day I think about Rio. Every time I get on the bike, it’s thinking that this is all in the plan for Rio. I have a few goals I have want to cross off before Rio, but ultimately Rio has been my biggest goal for a very long time now. I feel as though I am in a good spot but there is still an awful lot of work to be done.