Junior NRS heads to Queensland with Lauren Bates, Sam McKee in charge

After a freezing start in Canberra, the Santini Junior 19 National Road Series will seek out warmer climes when it heads to South East Queensland next week.

Lauren Bates (Canberra CC) and Samuel McKee (Launceston City CC) took the lead in the three-round series after dominating the Canberra Junior Tour in May.

In her home race, Bates won all four stages and the general classification, while Tasmania’s McKee won two stages and the overall.

It was a promising show of form ahead of their international campaign: Bates and McKee, together with women’s runner-up Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, will represent Australia at the Junior Track World Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games this August.

The Santini Junior 19 National Road Series will continue on June 24 at the Balmoral Junior and Women’s Tour, a four-stage race featuring a prologue, road race, Mount Gravatt hill climb and kermesse.

The series, now in its second year, provides under-19 cyclists with national-level races to develop the next generation of road cyclists. Last year’s inaugural series was won by Talia Appleton and William Eaves.

Lauren Bates in control at the Canberra Junior Tour. (Photo: Trenton Smith)

Standings after Round 1

Women

Lauren BATES 500pts
Felicity WILSON-HAFFENDEN 250
Nicole DUNCAN 170
Isabelle RUSSELL 150
Mia WILLIAMS 125
Lilyth JONES 110
Alana HRIBAR 65
Miriam SINNERBRINK 60
Emma OCHOA 50
Amy MASTERS 35

Men

Samuel MCKEE 425pts
Levi HONE 275
Jack CLARK 175
Luca GEORGE 110
Alex EAVES 100
Jack HADLEY 85
Toby INGLIS 70
Connor DOYLE 60
Harry LUDMAN 50
Kalan TUCKER 50
Oscar GALLAGHER 50
Lachlan OLIVER 40
Oliver LUDLAM 30
Edward MARCKS 25
Sam GELDARD 25
Eddie WILLIS 20
Jacob STEEP 15
William MATHWIN 10
Oliver SIMS 5
Cameron HARRISON 4
Max TREWHELLA 3
Tallis PRITCHARD 2
Loke EGEDE-POULSEN 1

Photos: Trenton Smith