When speaking to one of Zane Tapp’s cycling coaches about the youngster, the phrase “big motor” comes up more often than anything else.
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And when said coach, Allan Partlin, describes Tapp’s win in the Junior Mens 15 Scody Sydney Cup On Wheels Handicap last Saturday, it’s easy to see why.
“Zane led for the whole race,” Partlin said of Tapp who was given an 110-metre handicap in the six-kilometre race.
“Their [other riders] tactics was to sit on Zane’s wheel, pull out with a half a lap to go and try and beat him.
“But he had enough energy left to hang on.”
Partlin said the win was a big one and that the wheel race was the “unofficial state title”.
“There’s no state title for a wheel race and it’s the biggest wheel race in NSW so he’s done well to take that out,” he said.
Making the win all the more special was some unusual circumstances that surrounded the race the year before when Tapp was given an 190-metre handicap and finished fifth.
“He unofficially won the race last year,” Partlin said.
“He was that far in front they didn't actually ring the bell and made them do an extra lap.
“That was a bit disappointing so we'd been targeting this [race].”
Tapp will next compete on the Central Coast this weekend before heading to Brisbane for the National Junior Track Series on December 2.
The busy schedule is to help with the cyclist’s growth.
“It’s all about getting as much experience as possible,” Partlin said.
“He’s improving every time [he races].
“Every time he goes around he picks something up and uses it the next week to improve.”
Fletcher Partlin was also in Sydney and participated in the Junior Mens 17 age division. His best results came in the elimination race with a fourth and an eighth in the Sydney Cup on Wheels Handicap.