Seven Tasmanian cyclists are in for a busy spell of riding in Melbourne next weekend.
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A series of races are being held across the Victorian capital with the Tasmanians using them to warm-up for home-state Christmas carnivals campaigns.
Team pursuit, omnium and madison nationals are being held across three days with para nationals, the Austral Wheelrace and St Kilda Supercrit adding to the hectic schedule.
Launceston’s Josh Duffy and Zack Gilmore will combine with Devonport duo Tristan Aylett and Michael Astell to form an all-Tasmanian team pursuit line-up before also making two regional madison combinations.
Meanwhile former junior track world champions Lauren Perry, of Launceston, and Macey Stewart, of Devonport, will tackle the female events and Devonport’s Pat Best is competing in the para champs. In the madisons, Perry will combine with West Australian Dhalia Haines and Stewart with Josie Talbot, of NSW.
All are also scheduled to ride the St Kilda Supercrit, which is part of the same national series kicked off by the Stan Siejka Launceston Classic on November 11.
Tasmanian coach Matthew Gilmore said: “It’s a busy program but a solid block of racing and a good build-up to the Christmas carnivals.
“We had a test at Oceanias and were pleased with Zack and Josh who both podiumed in the team pursuit.
“Zack also showed good aggression in the points score and scratch race and while Josh is making that difficult transition to seniors, he was pretty unfortunate to crash twice just before selection events for junior world championships otherwise I think he would have definitely been there.
It’s a busy program but a solid block of racing and a good build-up to the Christmas carnivals
- Tasmanian coach Matthew Gilmore
“Lauren is coming off a fair bit of illness over winter but had an encouraging Oceania games so if she can get on a podium it would be terrific.
“Macey is also coming off solid preparation and building towards a world cup campaign in New Zealand in January.”
Rio Olympians Amy Cure and Georgia Baker both contested the world cup in Berlin. While Cure, of West Pine, has travelled on to the next round in London with South Australian Annette Edmondson, Baker, of Perth, returned home following a bad bout of gastro.
Mad Melbourne
- December 13 Para cycling track nationals, DISC Velodrome
- December 13 Team pursuit nationals qualifying, Hisense Arena
- December 14 Omnium nationals, DISC Velodrome
- December 15 Team pursuit nationals finals, Hisense Arena
- December 15 Austral Wheelrace, Hisense Arena
- December 15 Madison nationals, Hisense Arena
- December 16 Supercrit, St Kilda