12 juniors to race in Europe with ARA Australian Cycling Team

AusCycling is pleased to announce that 12 junior riders will race in Europe this year on a development opportunity with the ARA Australian Cycling Team.

Six male and six female riders will contest UCI Junior Nations Cup events, plus local national-level races, between April and June.

The riders, who are 17 to 18 years of age, will be supported by AusCycling staff throughout the trip as they gain valuable experience in the international peloton. Former pro cyclists Brett Aitken and Jessica Allen will lead the management of the men’s and women’s teams respectively.

“We are delighted to offer this opportunity for the next generation of Australia’s road cycling talent,” said Donna-Rae Szalinski, AusCycling’s director of pathways.

“Through this project, the young riders will encounter race conditions, cultural challenges and a high level of competition that will prepare them for the future both on and off the bike.

“It will be a rich learning experience for these juniors, as well as forming a critical part of our development pathway as we look ahead to major events such as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.”

Junior cyclist Wil Holmes racing in 2023 with the ARA Australian Cycling Team.

This project is part of AusCycling’s performance pathway, which develops a pipeline of athletes to support the ARA Australian Cycling Team in winning medals at major international events.

Last year, AusCycling introduced several international pathways projects for the first time since the pandemic. Highlights on the road included a stage win at the Nations Cup level; several podiums at Belgian national races; and junior world titles to Oscar Chamberlain and Felicity Wilson-Haffenden.

Women

• Lauren Bates (Canberra CC, ACT)
• Emily Dixon (Mornington CC, VIC)
• Anna Dubier (Lidcombe Auburn CC, NSW)
• Milana Freer (Bendigo & District CC, VIC)
• Hannah Gianatti (Penrith CC, NSW)
• Amelie Sanders (Gold Coast CC, QLD)

Schedule:

• EPZ Omloop Van Borsele, Netherlands (2.NCup) – April 19–21
• Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie Femmes, France (2.NCup) – May 4–5
• Various Belgian under-19 and elite races

Men

• Alex Eaves (City of Burnie CC, TAS)
• Max Goold (Blackburn CC, VIC)
• Will Heath (Balmoral CC, QLD)
• Wil Holmes (Norwood CC, SA)
• Levi Hone (Echuca/Moama CC, VIC)
• Jeremy Smith (Peel District CC, WA)

Schedule:

• Course De La Paix Juniors, Czechia (2.NCup) – May 2–5
• Local national-level races – May 11–12
• Trophée Centre Morbihan, France (2.NCup) – May 18–19
• Tour du Pays de Vaud, Switzerland (2.NCup) – May 23–26
• LVM Saarland Trofeo, Germany (2.NCup) – May 30–June 2

Photos: Zac Williams / SWpix.com