Hansen backs young Prete

Adam Hansen of Team Columbia knows that it is tough for a cyclist from Cairns, Australia, to break into the big time, so he is helping young Joshua Prete to follow in his footsteps. Hansen and Hed Cycling are sponsoring the youngster.

Prete, 18, is "a real talent, but lives in an area where support from the government programs is hard to get," Hansen told Cyclingnews, "something like the situation I went through. I would hate for a young talent with a big heart not to get where he wants, because of the place where he lives."

Hed Cycling is a US based components company, which is providing discounted material for Hansen to buy for the youngster.

Prete has racked up some good results in 2008, not only on the road but on the mountain bike, too. In the State Junior road championships, he finished second in the road race and the criterium and fourth in the time trial. In the Herberton 8 Hour Mountain Bike Challenge he was fourth solo expert men and first solo junior. Prete was first junior in the RRR Mountain Bike Race, setting a new junior record time, which was also good enough to give him third place in the overall elite men.