TAMWORTH Cycling Club starts a new year with high hopes for more success and the possibility of a new velodrome to replace the current venue at Prince of Wales Park.
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The small but vibrant club has continued to produce some outstanding young cyclists in recent years, much of that due to the maligned velodrome.
Much of the money to build the original velodrome was raised by the Tamworth club but it has been aware of the worth of the site for business for a long while as well as rebuffing numerous slights and criticism from uninformed and blinkered people in the community.
The velodrome does have plenty of use from the young cyclists preparing for state and national events.
It has helped the likes of Armidale’s Mitch Bullen win national titles on the track, Sam Spokes become an Australian Under 23 Junior World Cup rider and now professional as well as the Saunders sisters – Tori, Jess and Olivia– win state and national track titles.
“We have been in talks with the Tamworth Regional Council for a long while now,” TCC president Ray Griffin said.
His club realises it will be better off moving to a new site based on Coffs Harbour’s 333.3m Olympic standard velodrome track.
That’s out near the TRECC.
Plans are progressing well.
“It’s going to be a good outcome for the community and our sport,” Griffin said.
However they want to hold any major announcement until they and the council have concrete plans.
“The velodrome has been so good to us,” he said.
“Years ago you had to go to Sydney to improve your riding.
“Nowadays that has improved and you can reach the top from the country.
“You only have to look at what they are doing at Bendigo where they have a number of world championships.
“It’s all about having good infrastructure and coaching.
“You look at Sam Spokes too.
“He’s done so well for himself and just signed his first pro contract.
“He’ll be concentrating on the Asian and American cycling with his Drapac team.
“Cycling is booming in Asia but he’ll also get to ride in Colorado, Utah and Pennsylvania.
“He just shows the kids they can reach those heights from here.”
Spokes has been riding with the Tamworth club in recent weeks and preparing for Australian national road racing titles in the city as have the Saunders sisters.
“They have been exceptional,” Griffin said.
“Tori was racing for an Australian Omnium title in Sydney the other night but unfortunately she fell when she was running fifth. That was an outstanding effort to get there being a first year Under 19.
“However it has been a sensational year for us.
“ We have been on a roll for a few years now and we have been so successful with our four major events that we will hold the Under 19 State Road Racing Championships next year.
“But the new velodrome is our next big project.
“It is going to be good for our sport as well as the community.”
