Development Academy heads to NZ for junior tour

Sixteen junior cyclists will be aiming high when they travel across the ditch to race in New Zealand next week.

The under-17 riders, together with four coaches, make up the AusCycling Road Academy team that will contest the 2024 Yunca Junior Tour of Southland.

It’s an initiative of the AusCycling Development Academies, a comprehensive program designed to develop and support promising young cyclists across all disciplines, states and territories.

The team will complete in six stages across three days, starting on October 4 near Invercargill. A prologue, a kermesse, a criterium and three road races make up a jam-packed schedule that will provide valuable experience to the young Aussies.

The squad was finalised this week following the conclusion of the AusCycling Masters and Junior Road National Championships. Thanks to their victories in the under-17 road race national championships, Lucy Allen and Alistair Forsyth were the last riders added to the squad.

Under-17 Girls:

• Lucy Allen (NSW)
• Madeleine Douglas (VIC)
• Emily Hines (NSW)
• Sienna Monteith (QLD)
• Madeline Pitt (WA)
• Isabella Potts (QLD)
• Paige Squire (SA)
• Lavinia Ward (VIC)

Under-17 Boys:

• Alistair Forsyth (VIC)
• Leif Ingwersen (NSW)
• Caleb McKenzie (TAS)
• Maxx Nuspan (VIC)
• Oscar Schoff (QLD)
• Jack Sloan (SA)
• Billy Van Hout (SA)
• Jordan Watkins (WA)

Coaches:

• Brenton Jones (VIC) – Head Coach
• Sam Bolton (WA)
• Joshua Harrison (SA)
• Kerran Oates (SA)

Photo: James Raison / AusCycling