THE winning streak by Alessia McCaig rolled on in the Frank McCaig Memorial Wheelrace (1600m) at Thursday night's Bendigo and District Cycling Club track racing.
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From a mark of 190m, Alessia added her name to the honour board in an event which honours a cycling legend.
In great form throughout the recently-run state championships at Melbourne's Darebin velodrome, Alessia's power was to the fore in the last 250m of her latest victory on her home track.
The young star powered to the line ahead of Todd Schintler (90m) and Jade Maddern (60m).
At the bell it was Toby McCaig, grandson of Frank who led the field of 24, but Alessia, grand-daughter of Frank's older brother Alan, was poised to make a move and she did.
"To win a race which honours a family member means so much," Alessia said.
"Frank did so much for cycling and other cyclists.
"He was loved by so many.
"I am so proud to have won this race."
A champion road and track cyclist throughout the 1960s, Frank McCaig was a crucial figure as teams controller and promoter of the Bendigo International Madison carnival.
It was a role that Alan held for several years of what has become one of the biggest madisons in the world, and McCaig Airconditioning was a long-time major sponsor of the event.
Frank McCaig was the first Bendigo Sports Star of the Year award winner, and first dual winner in the event's history.
Alessia is a multiple monthly winner in Sports Star of the Year, and was the Maxine Crouch Trust Fund recipient in the 2018-19 awards.
The teenager has incredible support from parents Cameron and Ree, older brother Connor, and grandparents Alan and Bev.
In her second year with the Victorian Institute of Sport, Alessia is in Melbourne for training twice a week, and also does track and road sessions in Bendigo, and also gym workouts.
When not cycling, Alessia is studying Year 12 at Girton Grammar.
The McCaig family links to the Bendigo International Madison have lasted from the first in 1972 until today.
Frank's eldest son, Rik who is now chief executive for the Madison.
"It was a fantastic ride," Rik said of Alessia's performance during the presentation of the cash and trophy.
"Alessia has a massive future in the sport."
There will be no let-up in Alessia's training or racing as she prepares to compete in the under-19 category at the national track titles from March 24 to 28 at Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.
Bendigo clubmates Jackson Hadden (under-19); Blake Agnoletto, Patrick Eddy and Ned Pollard (elite) will also be bound for the nationals.
Read more: Clean sweep for record-breaker McCaig
Read more: McCaig dominated Oceania championships
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