FOR Isaac Fletcher, the thrill of his selection in the Australian mountain bike team for the 2020 world championships is matched only by the disappointment of knowing he will not be able to compete.
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The 16-year-old from Bendigo earned his first under-19 team green and gold jersey with a career-best performance at the 2020 national championships in Bright back in March.
Little did he, or anyone know at the time, it would be the last event to be run before the nation went into lockdown the first time for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The worldwide crisis would inevitably spell the end for the world championship aspirations for Fletcher and the bulk of the Australian team.
Only cyclists affiliated with UCI trade teams are now able to contest the championships, which will be staged in Leogang, Austria, from October 5-11.
Fletcher, a member of the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club, hopes to use the disappointment of not being able to compete this year as motivation to qualify for next year's team.
"It's a great achievement being selected, it's just a pity I can't go and represent," he said.
"Hopefully, I get another opportunity next year. I'll just keep trying until I do."
The timing could not be more inconvenient for Fletcher, who turned in his best-ever performance at this year's nationals with a fifth-place finish. It followed multiple podium finishes during the Victorian Cross-Country Series
He has only been competing in mountain bike racing for three years.
Fletcher, who turns 17 this week and recently started work at Bendigo Cycles, said it went without saying he was missing the opportunity to compete during the pandemic.
"I took a fairly long break; I got a bit sick after the nationals," he said.
"Since then I have just been having a bit of fun on the bike with family.
"I can't wait until we start racing again, or even have social rides together.
"It might be six weeks, but I'm only guessing."
His national team selection is the second of two big honours for Fletcher in 2020.
Earlier this year he was the recipient of the prestigious 2020 Jason Lowndes Junior Development Award, which recognises junior development with the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club.
The award is named in memory of BMBC member and professional cyclist Jason Lowndes, who was tragically killed in a 2017 road collision while riding.
Fletcher said his elevation to the national team would not have been possible without his involvement with the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club's 2 Wheel Academy, under the guidance of coaches Jo Wall and Stu MacGregor.
"The Bendigo club is so good, it's given me plenty of confidence," he said.
"There's no way I would be where I am today without the 2 Wheel Academy.
"It's a great foundation, which I am really proud and appreciative to be a part of."
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