The future of the Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club is looking bright with strong performances by experienced and first time riders at the NSW Junior Road Championships at Kurri Kurri over the weekend.
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Noah Mason and Hayley Dell led the way with silver in the U17 men's road race and U15 women's 36km road race respectively.
Earlier the the year, Mason sustained major injuries on his bike. Two surgeries later and months off the bike, he once again displayed enormous speed towards the finish line to claim silver. NSW representative Dell also won bronze in the time trial.
Her teammate Caitlin Rose continues to improve, finishing with the bunch in sixth position, only three seconds behind the medal winners in the U15 women's road race.
Racing in her debut state championships, Phoenix Jullian had a tough race after an early fall in the U17 women's 60km road race but showed courage and strength to continue in the heavy rain finishing seventh.
Jake Pajtl and Matthew Drohan, U15 men's and U17 men's respectively, fought hard in the chase group in each of their races.
NHCC was represented by 16 local riders in the U9- U17 age groups and for several of the riders it was their first competition outside of the locally run club events and training.
"We are very proud of all of our club's juniors. They showed great sportsmanship and camaraderie. It was awesome seeing the kids wearing their club kits with pride and trying their hardest," club president Justin Rose said.
Unlike previous years, the younger age groups competing in all three events on Saturday - the individual time trial, road race and criterium.
It was Oliver Richards and Corinne Erby who lead the charge for the club with Richards claiming bronze in the U9 boys' criterium and road race and Erby also winning two bronze medals, in the U9 girls road race and time trial.
Anderson Dell showed huge improvement and stamina to finishing in the final sprint bunch in the top 10 in the U13 road race. New riders Rhys Erby, Caleb Ashpole, Jett Jordan, Travis Erby, Idris Athur, Jackson Yowe and Joshua Crawford all performed well.
