Twenty-two junior cyclists will travel across the Tasman to race in New Zealand as part of an AusCycling Development Academies initiative.
The under-17 riders, led by five coaches, make up the AusCycling Road Academy team that will contest the 2026 Yunca Junior Tour of Southland from October 2–4 near Invercargill.
The team will compete in six stages comprising an individual time trial, kermesse, three road races and a criterium.
AusCycling Track and Road Development Academy Manager Brenton Jones said the event has been well received by junior athletes over the past two years, with multiple stage wins and overall wins across both the men’s and womens events.
"It provides a great learning and development opportunity for our riders to compete internationally in a relatively familiar environment, whilst building essential travel and domestic skills to further their experience and knowledge as elite cyclists," he said.
2026 AusCycling Road Development Academy Team - Yunca Junior Tour of Southland
U17 Men
- Cruz Kemps (Bundaberg CC / QLD)
- Harrison Dowling (Hamilton Wheelers CC / QLD)
- Tobias Jelbart (Bendigo and District CC / VIC)
- Bayley McGarry (Randwick Botany CC / NSW)
- Bryn McDonnell (Fraser Coast CC / QLD)
- Jai Roughton (Peel District CC / WA)
- Ben Noonan (Hawthorn CC / VIC)
- Joseph Hewlett (X-Speed Australia CC / WA)
- Oscar Pither (Hobart Wheelers Dirt Devils CC / TAS)
- Reilly Dickson (Gold Coast CC / QLD)
- Harvey Challinor (Neo CC / NSW)
U17 Women
- Skye Cuthbertson (Sunshine Coast CC / QLD)
- Isla Shaw (Shepparton CC / VIC)
- Ava Rodgers (X-Speed Australia CC / WA)
- Charlotte Khorshid (X-Speed Australia CC / WA)
- Juno Smith (Dulwich Hill BC / NSW)
- Amelia Nicolaou (Parklife CC / NSW)
- Nicola Morris (Brunswick CC / VIC)
- Jenna Gallagher (Bathurst CC / NSW)
- Ellie Walduck (Tas Junior Cycling Foundation / TAS)
- Matilda Taylor (Hamilton Wheelers CC / QLD)
- Hannah Walters (Hamilton Wheelers CC / QLD)
Coaching staff
- Brenton Jones (Warragul CC / VIC)
- Sabine Bird (Roues Chaudes CC / WA)
- Brad Hall (WA)
- Toireasa Gallagher (Bathurst CC / NSW)
- Jack Marshall (Mornington CC / VIC)