RELATED:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A 20-rider Victorian team for the 2018 Junior Track National Championships is dominated by Bendigo cyclists.
Seven Bendigo and District Cycling Club riders have won selection to compete in Melbourne from February 21 to 24.
They are Blake Agnoletto, Alex Allott, Patrick Eddy (men’s 17), Alessia McCaig (women’s 17), Jacob Henery (men’s 15), Jasmine Eddy and Ruby McLean (women’s 15).
Their selection follows stand-out performances at the recent Junior Track State Championships, where the septet combined for 16 medals, and national Junior Track Series (NJTS).
McCaig led the medal haul with three gold, while Allott added a silver and bronze to his one gold medal.
Jasmine Eddy, who was successful in the 15 girls scratch race on last month’s Austral Wheelrace program in Melbourne, finished with four silver and a bronze, Patrick Eddy won two silver, while Henery snared two bronze and McLean and Agnoletto one bronze each.
The seven junior team selections represent a record for the Bendigo and District Cycling Club, with Brunswick next best represented with five riders.
Three cyclists – Alessia McCaig, Amber Lyons and Michaela Meharry – contested last year’s championships, while a fourth club rider Jackson Hadden was forced to withdraw before the championships with a broken collarbone.
Speaking on behalf of her team-mates, McCaig said hopes were high that several of the Bendigo team members could finish among the medals.
The 14-year-old enters the championships in top form following an excellent NJTS series and a win in last month’s Junior Women’s Austral Wheelrace off 15 metres.
She also won gold at the state championships in the sprint, time trial and keirin.
“This team should do really well – Victoria is pretty strong,” said McCaig, who notched a pair of fourth placings at the 2017 nationals.
“I’m confident we’ll do well. I think all the Bendigo riders will give it a real red-hot go.”
Cycling Victoria racing manager Craig Eastwood is delighted with the team.
"The team has benefited from squad based training and performances at the NJTS, and I'm very confident of exceptional results at the championships,” he said.
The nationals will be staged at the Darebin International Sports Centre Velodrome.