Cyclist Braeden Dean has put in a solid performance at the International Track Series in Adelaide, less than two months out from the world junior titles.
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The 18-year-old was crowned king of the keirin at both the Australian Cycling Grand Prix and the Super-Drome Grand Prix, held as part of last week's five-day program.
He out-sprinted rivals including Korean Jeone Park and fellow Australian junior team member Jay Castles in the last lap of the paced race.
Park turned the tables on the Bendigo teenager in the junior men's sprint, winning the event at the Australian and South Australian grand prix meetings.
But Dean pushed his opponent hard as the pair went head-to-head in the finals and finished second to him both times.
Dean has been in a heavy strength training block leading up to world juniors and is only just about to start his speed work, so is hoping for more improvement over the next six weeks.
The talented rider was selected in his first Australian team after a dominant performance at the national track titles in January, where he won three gold medals and one silver.
He took out the junior men's keirin and 1km time trial, was a member of Victoria's triumphant sprint team and earned the title of Australian sprint champion after finishing just behind the Korean national, Park.
Dean leaves Bendigo for a two-week training camp with the Australian junior track team on July 16, then flies out to Korea on August 2.
The UCI junior track world championships will be held in Seoul from August 8-12.
