Small junior cycling team look for big returns at world championships

7 August 2013, 1:41PM
Femme

BikeNZ believes that big things can come in small packages as a nine-strong team chases success in the UCI Juniors Track World Championship which begins tomorrow in Glasgow.

New Zealand has won 20 of its 48 medals in the junior world championships over the last two campaigns, last year with a 16-strong team at home in Invercargill.


That has been pruned to nine riders this year, with a number of new names who the team bosses believe will turn some heads in Scotland this week.


“This year we have really targeted selection towards the events we feel we can do well in,” said head coach Ross Machejefski. “It is a long way from home, a big trip and a big cost.’


The team are all male this year with only three riders back from last year’s team at home, endurance rider Liam Aitcheson (Alexandra) and sprinters Zac Williams (Auckland) and Jeremy Presbury (Invercargill).


“There may not be the names of previous campaigns but we are pretty excited that they are a talented group who are hitting their straps at the right time. They have come in under the radar but will surprise quite a few people this week, I am sure of that.”


The team has enjoyed a five-week build-up at BikeNZ’s European training base in Belgium, where they have had two training tracks at Ghent and Roubaix near-by, easy access to training roads and a plethora of kermesse racing close at hand.


“It has not only sharpened the team to this competition but given them an idea about the life of a cyclist in Europe which will be invaluable.”


The championships begin with qualifying in the team pursuit which is a traditionally strong event for Kiwi teams, led by Aitcheson, Josh Haggerty, Regan Gough and Connor Stead.


There are also strong hopes in the team sprint with Machejefski suggesting it is the most talented combination since the gold medal winning team of 2009 with Sam Webster, Ethan Mitchell and Cameron Karwowski.


Karwowski’s younger brother Quinn is developing into an outstanding starter and is joined by Callum Saunders and the experienced Presbury.


Machejefski believes the squad will be competitive in both timed and bunch events throughout the four-day championships, held at the new Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the venue for track cycling at next year’s Commonwealth Games.


“It is a very impressive arena and a fast track. It’s been faster than what the boys trained on in Ghent so that’s been a nice boost for them.


“It is a different shape to what we are used to, with longer straights but it is a superb facility.”
Riders in action on the first day include the team pursuit qualifying in the morning and medal rides in the evening along with the team sprint.


The team is: Regan Gough (Central Hawkes Bay), Alex Hooper (Ashburton), Connor Stead (Christchurch), Josh Haggerty (Invercargill), Liam Aitcheson (Alexandra), Jeremy Presbury (Invercargill), Zac Williams (Auckland), Quinn Karwowski (Blenheim) and Callum Saunders (Blenheim).


Staff: Ross Machejefski (head coach), John Rastrick (sprint coach), Dale Hollows (mechanic), Ant Croucher (physiotherapist), Jessica Massey (manager).

Search