Tasmania's best junior riders are heading off for their final warm-up before national championships.
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The four-stage Eildon Tour forms part of the National Junior Road Series and will see Janelle Smith's promising talent fine-tune preparations for national titles on the Gold Coast in September.
Smith said Launceston pair Thomas Clayton and Hamish McKenzie will be the ones to watch. "Both boys are avid mountain bikers and will be looking to capitalise on their climbing in this tour," she said.
"Thomas has only switched to the road in the last couple of months and has dominated in the under-15s, taking out the time trial and road race championships. Hamish finished third in the under-15 junior Eildon Tour last year and will be a strong contender this year.
"Our juniors are strongly encouraged to participate in these events for their development, friendships and skills learnt. Over the years female riders such as Anya Louw, Morgan Gillon, Madeleine Fasnacht and Catelyn Turner have all competed in these events and dominated so can our boys keep up the domination?"
Evandale's Lachlan Oliver will tackle his first interstate road race alongside Clayton, Sam McKee (Launceston) and Hayden Van Der Ploeg (Burnie) in the under-15s.
In the under-17s, Mckenzie, Dalton Stretton (Penguin), Jack Menzies (Devonport) and big improver Campbell Palmer (Burnie) are all podium potential.
Burnie under-13 Mitchell Stretton will be looking to back up from his Aarat Tour win at Eildon.
The event starts on July 12.