BARKERS Creek’s mountain bike cycling star Lachlan Norris will soon be taking on the world’s best on the alps across New Zealand, and then in Europe.
Norris, 21, has put in many hours preparing to contest six of the nine legs in this year’s World Cup action.
Australia’s No.
1-ranked rider in the under-23 division, Norris is gearing up for a hectic six months of racing and training.
A highlight will be contesting his fifth world mountain bike championships in Italy, and third as an under-23 competitor.
A year ago, Norris raced to 22nd place at the world titles.
‘‘I will go to these world championships a lot stronger and more experienced cyclist than I was last year,’’ Norris said.
‘‘I am aiming for a top five finish, if not, a top 10.’’Norris’ build-up to Europe includes the Oceania championships in Nelson, New Zealand, followed by a four-day training camp near the titles venue.
The Cycling Australia National-Tasmanian Institute of Sport team member will then jet across to Europe to compete in Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Andorra, Scotland and Austria.
A lot of Norris’ training is done through the Castlemaine Pine Forest, not far from home in Barkers Creek, and also on the roads across central Victoria.
The latest training camp in Launceston, Tasmania, was one of the most intense he has been at.
‘‘I was rapt with my results in the fitness testing.’’
A lot of the workouts focused on oxygen capacity, and included a 30-minute time trial.
It’s not just fitness and strength that’s a key to racing, but also technical skills on the steep and tricky descents.
Norris said he had learnt plenty from being in the Neil Ross-coached national squad.
The keen competitor, whose personal coach is Chris Clarke, has put in a lot of time working on downhill runs through the Castlemaine Pine Forest, and at other hill climbs across Victoria since he took on mountain bike racing when he was 13.
His interest in the sport was sparked watching the MTB action on television at the Sydney Olympics.
‘‘I went to a few races with Bendigo Mountain Bike Club and really enjoyed the challenge.’’
That challenge has progressed to include racing world, national and state titles, as well as many club races.
As a member of the national team, Norris’ has plenty of support through primary backers Cycling Australia, Tasmanian Institute of Sport, Mapei, Teschner Bikes and Shimano.
The team’s equipment sponsors are Geax, Giro, Santion, Cateye computers, Fnish Line, ParkTools, Blackburn and Truvativ.
The Central Victorian Rocky Riders Mountain Bike Club member also gains support from Castlemaine Cycles, Oakley, and University of Melbourne.
Norris’ greatest supporters are parents, Neil and Leanne.
When not on the bike, Lachlan Norris is kept busy with second-year studies in Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University.
He was back on the bike last Sunday to contest a round of the state series on the hills near Campbells Creek.
The talented cyclist raced to victory in the men’s elite class.
After racing to an early lead, Norris had a flat tyre on the second-last lap of the six-lap event.
After some quick repairs, he powered on to win the 39 km battle on the Campbells Creek course.
For Norris a long-term goal is to race at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Leg 5 Dubai, India, and the 2012 London Olympics.
This year’s racing will play a key part in pursuing his ultimate goal - racing at the Olympics in the green and gold.
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