Youngsters climb to Australian titles

The Australian under 15 and under 17 Mountain Climbing Championships heralded a new era in junior cycling. It was the first time the mountain climbing format has been included on Cycling Australia’s national championship calendar, offering competitors a significant challenge compared to what they’ve competed in before.

Over 100 competitors descended on Mount Buffalo in North East Victoria for the inaugural event with an individual time trial contested on the Saturday and a road race on the Sunday. Several riders showed their domination over the two days by winning both events with others just missing out on taking out both races.

Victorians Liam Hood in under 15 men and Thomas Hamilton in the under 17 men’s category were able to take home both national titles. Hood crossed the line in a tight five rider sprint while Hamilton’s victory was more comfortable, crossing 2:41 minutes in front of team-mate Alexander Morgan.

Hollee Simmons from Bathurst took out the under 15 women’s time trial and just missed out on the gold on Sunday. Caulfield Carnegie’s Courtney Field crossed the line first in the road race, just in front of Simmons.

The women 17 winner on Saturday was Tasmanian Georgia Baker while Jessica Mundy from South Australia crossed the line first in a four rider bunch sprint on the Sunday. Two seconds separated the top four with Bendigo’s Antonia Abbisogni in second place, Georgia Barker third and Alexandria Nicholls fourth.

The medal tally for the weekend saw Victoria dominate proceedings with a total of 13 medals, more than half of those on offer during the event.

The weekend also incorporated the ‘Alpe d’ Buffalo’ junior Tour for 15’s, 17’s and 19’s. Like the championship events, the tour’s overall classification was dominated by several Riders.

Calvin Watson showed his class by winning both the time trial and the road race in the men 19’s as did Stephanie Hansen in the women 19 category. Hamilton was a clear general classification winner in the men 17’s as was Hood in the men 15.

Baker’s domination in the time trial saw her win the under 17 women’s tour while Simmons also took out the GC in the under 15’s.

Results