Eight Australian cyclists selected for Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games

An eight-strong cohort of track and road cyclists are set to don the green and gold of Australia at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Capturing the best young talent Australian cycling has to offer, the contingent includes several athletes set to start at the international double this August after their concurrent selection to the team bound for the 2023 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Cali, Colombia.

That includes Lauren Bates and Keira Will, both named to compete in track and road events, who were part of the junior women’s team pursuit squad that won gold at the 2023 Oceania Track Cycling Championships in April.

Liliya Tatarinoff and Tayte Ryan, who are the reigning sprint and time trial national champions respectively, join Bates and Will in the velodrome, alongside Noah Blannin and Samuel McKee.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Youth Games,” Ryan said.

“This will be my first appearance internationally and I’m eager to prove myself on the world stage.”

“To be able to represent Australia at a Commonwealth Youth Games is unreal. To say it is an honour is an understatement. Travelling to Trinidad and Tobago will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait for August to come.”

Junior men's Oceania road race champion Will Heath will compete on the road, and is joined by Nate Hadden to complete the team, who has had a successful month racing in Europe after a consistent summer of cycling.

Donna Rae-Szalinski, Director of Pathways - Performance, congratulated the selected athletes, while noting the opportunity the Games present.

“The Commonwealth Youth Games offer an excellent opportunity for our young cyclists to gain experience on an international scale,” Rae-Szalinski said.

“Competing in a multi-sport environment is a valuable addition, which will enhance the potential learning opportunities for our pathway athletes.”

The cycling road and cycling time trial events will take place around the roads of Couva in Trinidad, showcasing the best of the island, while the track cycling takes place in the National Cycling Velodrome in Trinidad.

Australia has enjoyed a fruitful history in cycling at the Commonwealth Youth Games since its inception in 2000, with the 2011 team in the Isle of Man, which contained Caleb Ewan and Jessica Allen, winning 12 medals.

At the last Commonwealth Youth Games held in 2017 in the Bahamas, Madeleine Fasnacht won gold in the time trial and bronze in the road race. Sebastian Berwick won bronze in the time trial.

Australian Cycling Team for Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games

• Lauren Bates (Canberra CC, ACT)
• Noah Blannin (Gold Coast CC, QLD)
• Nate Hadden (Bendigo & District CC, VIC)
• Will Heath (Balmoral CC, QLD)
• Samuel McKee (Launceston City CC, TAS)
• Tayte Ryan (Port Adelaide CC, SA)
• Liliya Tatarinoff (Central Coast CC, NSW)
• Keira Will (Lidcombe Auburn CC, NSW)