Following a six-year hiatus, Devonport’s triple junior world champion Macey Stewart will lead a six-member squad with optimism levels high among the group heading into the Victorian Tour of the South West on May 6-7. 

The TIS launched its campaign in Launceston on Monday with home-town cyclist Harrison Musgrave, 20, named captain of an eight-member men’s team.

Head coach Matthew Gilmore said it was an exciting time for Tasmanian cycling with a plethora of “talent and depth”, which demanded the reinstated women’s pathway. 

“These athletes have demonstrated the potential and work ethic to develop into international competitors and have been selected on this basis,” he said. 

“We stress that the role of the team is as a launching pad – so we can expect big things from this group in the future.

“On of the outcomes is to ensure at the end of the season is that athletes move on to bigger teams and have greater experiences in more financed teams.”

Both teams will compete in nine races including the state’s Mersey Valley Tour (May 12-14) and November’s Tour of Tasmania.

Musgrave, in his third season with the team, said he still had plenty to learn.

“It is our role as older guys to show the younger ones the ropes,” he said.

“It has been really important (for him) the program, just getting that development and experience from young age.”

Stewart, 21, said she is still focused on making the Australian track cycling team for next year’s Commonwealth and 2020 Olympic games.

She said the NRS will only help with her ambitions and believes her team will only get better over time.

“We just have to get everyone in the right head space and really give it a crack and I think we will see some big results from some of the younger girls this year,” Stewart said.