Junior road national champions crowned in Shepparton

The national road championships for under-15 and under-17 cyclists have wrapped up after three stellar days of racing in Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley.

Held as part of the 2023 AusCycling Masters and Junior Road National Championships, the junior events attracted 131 starters in Thursday’s time trials, 161 in Friday’s road races and 146 in Saturday’s criteriums.

The time trials and road races both took place in the town of Dookie. However, a traffic incident in the Masters event caused the road race to be moved from a hillier circuit to a flat out-and-back course that favoured the sprinters.

The criteriums were held on the streets of central Shepparton, where the Queensland state team enjoyed a clean sweep of all four age categories.

A peloton of junior women sprint to the finish line during the AusCycling Junior National Road Championships in Shepparton 2023

In the under-15 women’s category, it was also a Queensland domination. Sienna Monteith took out the time trial and road race before Ava Robbins claimed the criterium for the maroon squad. Fellow Queenslander Isabella Potts and NSW’s Lucy Allen each went home with two medals.

Under-15 Women

Time trial: Sienna MONTEITH (Townsville Cycle Club, QLD)
Road race: Sienna MONTEITH (Townsville Cycle Club, QLD)
Criterium: Ava ROBBINS (Balmoral Cycling Club, QLD)

Three junior men cyclists stand on the podium during the AusCycling Junior National Road Championships in Shepparton 2023

The under-15 men’s championships saw Lachlan Stewart, riding as an individual, win a medal of every colour, highlighted by gold in the road race. Tasmania’s Caleb Mckenzie – brother of two-time World Championship medallist Hamish Mckenzie – proved that time-trialling runs in the family, winning the national title against the clock. Queensland’s Lucas Soegaard took silver in the road race before winning the criterium.

Under-15 Men

Time trial: Caleb MCKENZIE (Northern Districts CC, TAS)
Road race: Lachlan STEWART (Alpine Cycling Club)
Criterium: Lucas SOEGAARD (Gold Coast Cycling Club, QLD)

Queensland junior cyclist Amelie Sanders racing an individual time trial during the AusCycling Junior National Road Championships in Shepparton 2023

The under-17 women’s event saw more success for Queensland when Amelie Sanders did the double in the time trial and criterium. But it was Leani van der Berg who sprinted to victory in the road race, seizing South Australia’s sole victory of the week. Meanwhile, New South Wales’ Hayley Dell showed consistency by medalling in every event.

Under-17 Women

Time trial: Amelie SANDERS (Gold Coast Cycling Club, QLD)
Road race: Leani VAN DER BERG (South Coast Cycling Club, SA)
Criterium: Amelie SANDERS (Gold Coast Cycling Club, QLD)

Queensland cyclist Alex Hewes posts up after winning a bunch sprint in a criterium at the AusCycling Junior National Road Championships in Shepparton 2023

The under-17 men’s category saw two winners from NSW: Lucas Stevenson took out the time trial before Tobin Smith won the road race in a tight bunch sprint – and, in doing so, claimed the first-ever national title for the Neo Cycling Club from Sydney. However, QLD had the final say when Alex Hewes, who won silver on Thursday and Friday, completed the maroon sweep in the criteriums on Saturday. Tasmania’s Jonas Shelverton won two silvers across the weekend.

Under-17 Men

Time trial: Lucas STEVENSON (Northern Sydney Cycling Club, NSW)
Road race: Tobin SMITH (Neo Cycling Club, NSW)
Criterium: Alex HEWES (Gold Coast CC, QLD)

For full results, click here.

Photos: Jean-Pierre Ronco (Image Writer)