THE state’s best young cyclists are wheeling their way into Tamworth this weekend for the NSW Junior Road Cycling Championships.
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It’s the first time the Tamworth Cycle Club has hosted the state titles and will see over 140 cyclists racing in age groups from U9s up to U17s.
“Some of Australia’s best male and female cyclists on the international scene commenced their careers racing in state championships so we know there will be some stars of the future racing in Tamworth this weekend,” event organiser John Saunders said.
The host club will have five riders competing, with Joshua Deasey contesting the U9s, brother Luke and Fletcher Partlin the junior men’s 15s, Ollie Saunders the junior girls’ 13s and Jess Saunders the junior women’s 17s.
They warmed up for the titles by riding in the Hunter Valley two-day tour a fortnight ago.
It was raced over the same format as this weekend – a time trial, followed by a road race and a criterium.
The time trial and road race will both be held at Loomberah today covering distances for the road race from 5km for the U9s up to 59km for the 17s junior men.
The criterium will follow tomorrow morning on a course bounded by Kable Avenue, Roderick Street, Peel Street and Hill Street, and is sure to deliver some great action for spectators.
“Criteriums are always fast and they really test the skills and strength of the riders because of the tight cornering at speed,” Saunders said.
He said riders were in for a fairly tough weekend.
“We’ve got one of the toughest time trial courses planned,” he said.
“A true time trialler will win.”
The road race course is equally as tough.
“Whoever wins will deserve it,” he said.
Not only is it hilly but, not being a hot mix surface, the bikes won’t roll over as well.
It will be a lot harder work.
The Deasey boys and Partlin are only fairly new to the sport and are improving with each event they go in.
The Saunders girls have been doing the circuit for a few years.
Ollie was second outright at the Hunter Valley tour and won the state time trial title last year.
Jess has consistently been among the medals over the years but has “hung her bike up”, John said.
She’s stopped training and is just racing for a bit of fun.
Racing will get underway at 9am today, with the first of the road racers pedalling off at 1pm.
