Team coach Janelle Smith is confident the team, which flies to Western Australia on Wednesday, is capable of some eye-catching results in a schedule which includes time trials on Friday, road races on Saturday and criteriums on Sunday.

“The team is small but well placed,” she said.

“We had a camp a couple of weeks ago and refined a few skills.

“We are looking for some top-10 performances, which should be achievable, especially in the under-15s. There are a few that have competed on the mainland in the Victorian junior road series and done really well which has helped their preparation for nationals.”

The team includes Launceston City Cycling Club trio Catelyn Turner (U17) and sisters Amy (U17) and Zoe Wright (U15) plus City of Burnie Cycling Club’s Campbell Palmer (U15) and Dalton Stretton (U17) and Mersey Valley Devonport Cycling Club’s Eugenie O’Rourke (U15), Meg Lamplugh and Jack Menzies (both U17).              

“Catelyn had a fall while training out at Evandale and suffered mild concussion and what was thought to be a broken kneecap so had a week off but it turned out to be a congenital issue she was born with and was able to get straight back on the bike,” Smith added. 

“It was quite traumatic for her at the time. Other than that hiccup, she’s coming along well and has done some tours in Victoria and won one so is in good form.

“Fields are down a bit on previous nationals because of the location and cost of travel, with 26 in under-17 women and 50 in men, 21 in under-15 women and 32 in men.”