Tasmania's junior track cycling team see nationals postponed again

Latest COVID outbreaks have prompted another postponement of the Australian junior track championships to July 22-25. They were originally scheduled in April.

Coach Janelle Smith remained confident the team of 10 would eventually get to compete in Brisbane.

"Event organisers, coaches and team management are committed to providing every opportunity for these kids to race given all their national championship events have been cancelled since March last year," she said.

"Juniors have been the only riders affected by COVID as masters and elite track cyclists, BMX and MTB national events have all been held previously, leaving the juniors with nothing. Fingers crossed and third time lucky we get to go."

It will be the first national championships for most riders who will be looking to draw upon the experience of Sam McKee and Hayden Van Der Ploeg.

Nicholas Broxam has the potential to finish on the podium in every under-15 boys' event although some tough decisions will be made to optimise his medal prospects.

"The under-17 boys are looking to do well in the team pursuit," Smith said. "This will be the first time the state has been able to fulfil a junior state pursuit team at a national event for a few years. The talent coming through our juniors is evidenced by our team pursuit that gained a silver medal at the under-19 track nationals in March. The under-17 boys will also be aiming for a podium result in the madison.

"There's good quality there. We held the state road time trial champs last year and had the most for any junior event ever. We're still building on that and encouraging the juniors that raced that to continue."

Two new riders to the team are Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, who was competing in junior national hockey champs when track nationals were originally scheduled, and Mia Brown who had broken her wrist at the National Junior Track Series in Sydney but is now able to ride again.

"The goals will be to try and be as high up as we can but top five in any event would be seen as a positive outcome," Smith added.