The UNE and Cycling NSW ‘Junior Road Cycling’ Championships showcased future star cyclists in Armidale over the weekend. Age categories ranged from Under 9s to 17s. There were criterion and time trial events at two separate venues on Saturday. The action intensified with the road races on Sunday, which saw many laps around the University of New England campus.
Junior cyclists racing in Armidale over the weekend represented cycling clubs throughout eastern Australia.
Pushing competitors to their limits, the hilly 4.6km UNE road race circuit went north up Elm Avenue, anti-clockwise around the campus Ring Road, then half-way down Elm Avenue, before going anti-clockwise around the residential colleges.
The weekend was described as being free of major incidents, although one cyclist in the last race fell hard and broke a collar bone.
Armidale’s Sam Jenner got the silver medal in the 15s Boys. Otherwise, locals performed strongly but were shy of the podium. The (8 lap) 17s Girls winner was Josie Talbot from Camden (Sydney) in a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 59 seconds. The (15 lap) 17s Boys winner was Bradley Heffernan, a young Wollongong lad with a very bright cycling career in his sights. At just 14 years of age, Brad bested a tough 17s field in what he described as the toughest road race circuit he has raced on all year. His time was 1 hour 48 minutes and 58 seconds.
The event was attracted to Armidale as a two-year deal, thanks to strong support from UNE, Cycling NSW, local businesses, community groups and the Armidale Cycling Club. Local organisers were pleased with the Championships but said they will work to see it even bigger and better next year.
Story: Gary Fry
