2010 HEINRICH HAUSSLER
2 DAY JUNIOR TOUR
On Saturday the 31st of July and Sunday the 1st of August, The Racing Kangaroo’s hosted the second Heinrich Haussler Inverell 2 day junior tour.
It was another great success for the town and the Inverell Cycling Community!!
Over 125 riders competed in the tour with the first day of racing at Copeton Waters State Park where they were greeted by some stormy and frantic weather as well as quite a few hills to climb. The riders weren’t deterred by this and made sure to give 100 percent in all their events on the day.
An individual time trial, kicked off at 10am over a 2km course along the Copeton Dam wall. This was quite a sight for riders who travelled from around the state as looking down over the edge could unnerve these young riders. The cross wind and having no protection from the elements also gave the riders a challenging race against the clock. There were some impressive times being shown in all categories. As the time trial progressed, the weather started to clear but left the roads remaining slippery and wet.
The second stage of the tour was contested both inside the park for the younger riders and for the older riders they had the challenging climbs and fast descents along Fossickers Way, including the dreaded climb of Keera. Fossickers Way certainly tested the riding skills of the competitors. The course split the field in the U19’s and 17’s men as they were the only grades to climb Keera. U15A grade and the U17 women turned at the top Keera and most finished in a bunch sprint. The sprint finish in the U17’s women had a dramatic ending as 2 riders crashed while crossing the finish line to give them a place of 2nd and 3rd.
Inside the park saw some exciting racing for the youngsters with not only the elements to contend with, but also the local wildlife (kangaroos) sitting on the side of the road ready to race against the cyclists.
Day 2 saw the riders racing in some fine weather once the heavy fog lifted. The 3rd stage road races were contested out along the Ashford road where there were some impressive contests for the King and Queen of the mountain, as well as a few closely contested hot spot sprints. The 4th and final stage criterium of the tour was held in the afternoon around the Macintyre High School block. This event saw some outstanding efforts by local riders putting on a great show for the crowd by getting out in front, doing it tough, in a solo breakaway.
The U19’s had some great racing over the weekend and was taken out by local rider and Real Aussie Kids (RAK) representative Ethan Kimmince. Following closely in second and third was the Racing Kangaroos riders, Tatham White and Josh Apolony. Ethan was unlucky not to win all 4 stages of the tour after a display of team riding in the criterium by the Kangaroo riders and Ethan having to battle 3 Kangaroos to 1 RAK rider.
The U17’s were split into A and B grade due to the large contingent in this age group. The event was taken out by Caleb Ewen representing Team Roadrunner, followed by Kangaroo riders Jesse Kerrison and Tirian Mcmanus. RAK rider Ben Fox followed up on his great form from his racing overseas to place 4th overall. Other local riders to contest the weekend and showing good form in A grade were Ryan Thomas, James Palmer and Codie Miller.
The U17’s B grade saw 4 local riders hotly contest the division in their first year of competitive racing. Gill Burgess, Alexander Johns and Codey Gooda along with Brody Walker had a great weekend of racing with Gill placing 2nd overall with the other boys hot on his heels.
After local hopeful in the U17 women’s, Paige Kimmince, crashing on the first day (2nd overall) she was unable to continue the weekend of racing leaving the GC to Tamworth rider Alexandria Nicholls.
The U15 boys were also split into A and B grade. A grade although being a smaller grade, proved to be a competitive category with talented youngster Jack Edwards from Sydney taking the honours on the day. The Racing Kangaroos had their full contingent together and worked well as a team for the weekend. Harry Carter and Brad Heffernan took out 2nd and 3rd, with Nick Costello winning the KOM jersey. Local rider and Kangaroo Blake Schuman did his job for the team by leading out where it counted.
U15 B grade had a great show of local support and proved that they are a talented group of riders and showed some great potential. Dylan Sunderland claimed winning honours for the weekend with up and comer Armidale and NIAS rider Sam Jenner a close second. Showing that it runs in the family, Zak Sunderland took out 3rd place. Tom Palmer, Jed Murray and Jared Walker all had a great weekend of attacking racing. Tom Lane showed he is a true contender after he crashed on day one and followed up with some tight racing on day 2.
The U15 women had 2 local hopefuls there for the weekend. Although they weren’t in the placing’s they showed the determination that is needed for the sport of cycling. Taylia Hough and Bonnie Miller; doin’ it for the girls.
In the U13 boys event there was 1 local rider contesting the weekend. New to the sport, Kyle Schuman, had a good hit out in a close competition preparing for the State Titles in a fortnights time. He ended up with a 3rd place in GC after starting the weekend with the fastest time trial in his division, and a few dollars to go with it.
The U13 girls had no local riders for the event, however, Tamworth riders Tori and Jesse Saunders put on a good show along with Tyler Buckley from Bathurst.
The non competitive categories of U9’s and 11’s may not be competitive, but try telling that to these young stars. The effort that these kids put into their cycling is fantastic to watch – you’d think that there was a “sheep station” up for grabs. First timer Darcy Goddard had her first race on Sunday and rode well, but coming from a Triathlon background forgot that she had to lock her gears out – the first of many lessons learnt for cycling. Zac Schuman had his first race in a while on Saturday claiming a 3rd in the time trial and a 2nd in the road race before heading off to Sydney to play football.
The event was a success for the town and for junior cycling in general. It could not have taken place without the assistance of venues, sponsors and volunteers. Thank you to Copeton Waters State Park and Gwyider and Inverell Shire Councils along with Macintyre High School for the use of the venues. Thank you to the local sponsors of Gaukrogers, not only for the sponsorship, but also the use of the tent which kept us dry on Saturday, New England Toyota, Bikes In Byron, Furniture Court, Ditchfield First National, The RSM Club and WM Printing. Thank you to the Inverell Cycle N Tri volunteers who gave up their weekend to support The Racing Kangaroos and junior cycling. See you again next year.
2 DAY JUNIOR TOUR
On Saturday the 31st of July and Sunday the 1st of August, The Racing Kangaroo’s hosted the second Heinrich Haussler Inverell 2 day junior tour.
It was another great success for the town and the Inverell Cycling Community!!
Over 125 riders competed in the tour with the first day of racing at Copeton Waters State Park where they were greeted by some stormy and frantic weather as well as quite a few hills to climb. The riders weren’t deterred by this and made sure to give 100 percent in all their events on the day.
An individual time trial, kicked off at 10am over a 2km course along the Copeton Dam wall. This was quite a sight for riders who travelled from around the state as looking down over the edge could unnerve these young riders. The cross wind and having no protection from the elements also gave the riders a challenging race against the clock. There were some impressive times being shown in all categories. As the time trial progressed, the weather started to clear but left the roads remaining slippery and wet.
The second stage of the tour was contested both inside the park for the younger riders and for the older riders they had the challenging climbs and fast descents along Fossickers Way, including the dreaded climb of Keera. Fossickers Way certainly tested the riding skills of the competitors. The course split the field in the U19’s and 17’s men as they were the only grades to climb Keera. U15A grade and the U17 women turned at the top Keera and most finished in a bunch sprint. The sprint finish in the U17’s women had a dramatic ending as 2 riders crashed while crossing the finish line to give them a place of 2nd and 3rd.
Inside the park saw some exciting racing for the youngsters with not only the elements to contend with, but also the local wildlife (kangaroos) sitting on the side of the road ready to race against the cyclists.
Day 2 saw the riders racing in some fine weather once the heavy fog lifted. The 3rd stage road races were contested out along the Ashford road where there were some impressive contests for the King and Queen of the mountain, as well as a few closely contested hot spot sprints. The 4th and final stage criterium of the tour was held in the afternoon around the Macintyre High School block. This event saw some outstanding efforts by local riders putting on a great show for the crowd by getting out in front, doing it tough, in a solo breakaway.
The U19’s had some great racing over the weekend and was taken out by local rider and Real Aussie Kids (RAK) representative Ethan Kimmince. Following closely in second and third was the Racing Kangaroos riders, Tatham White and Josh Apolony. Ethan was unlucky not to win all 4 stages of the tour after a display of team riding in the criterium by the Kangaroo riders and Ethan having to battle 3 Kangaroos to 1 RAK rider.
The U17’s were split into A and B grade due to the large contingent in this age group. The event was taken out by Caleb Ewen representing Team Roadrunner, followed by Kangaroo riders Jesse Kerrison and Tirian Mcmanus. RAK rider Ben Fox followed up on his great form from his racing overseas to place 4th overall. Other local riders to contest the weekend and showing good form in A grade were Ryan Thomas, James Palmer and Codie Miller.
The U17’s B grade saw 4 local riders hotly contest the division in their first year of competitive racing. Gill Burgess, Alexander Johns and Codey Gooda along with Brody Walker had a great weekend of racing with Gill placing 2nd overall with the other boys hot on his heels.
After local hopeful in the U17 women’s, Paige Kimmince, crashing on the first day (2nd overall) she was unable to continue the weekend of racing leaving the GC to Tamworth rider Alexandria Nicholls.
The U15 boys were also split into A and B grade. A grade although being a smaller grade, proved to be a competitive category with talented youngster Jack Edwards from Sydney taking the honours on the day. The Racing Kangaroos had their full contingent together and worked well as a team for the weekend. Harry Carter and Brad Heffernan took out 2nd and 3rd, with Nick Costello winning the KOM jersey. Local rider and Kangaroo Blake Schuman did his job for the team by leading out where it counted.
U15 B grade had a great show of local support and proved that they are a talented group of riders and showed some great potential. Dylan Sunderland claimed winning honours for the weekend with up and comer Armidale and NIAS rider Sam Jenner a close second. Showing that it runs in the family, Zak Sunderland took out 3rd place. Tom Palmer, Jed Murray and Jared Walker all had a great weekend of attacking racing. Tom Lane showed he is a true contender after he crashed on day one and followed up with some tight racing on day 2.
The U15 women had 2 local hopefuls there for the weekend. Although they weren’t in the placing’s they showed the determination that is needed for the sport of cycling. Taylia Hough and Bonnie Miller; doin’ it for the girls.
In the U13 boys event there was 1 local rider contesting the weekend. New to the sport, Kyle Schuman, had a good hit out in a close competition preparing for the State Titles in a fortnights time. He ended up with a 3rd place in GC after starting the weekend with the fastest time trial in his division, and a few dollars to go with it.
The U13 girls had no local riders for the event, however, Tamworth riders Tori and Jesse Saunders put on a good show along with Tyler Buckley from Bathurst.
The non competitive categories of U9’s and 11’s may not be competitive, but try telling that to these young stars. The effort that these kids put into their cycling is fantastic to watch – you’d think that there was a “sheep station” up for grabs. First timer Darcy Goddard had her first race on Sunday and rode well, but coming from a Triathlon background forgot that she had to lock her gears out – the first of many lessons learnt for cycling. Zac Schuman had his first race in a while on Saturday claiming a 3rd in the time trial and a 2nd in the road race before heading off to Sydney to play football.
The event was a success for the town and for junior cycling in general. It could not have taken place without the assistance of venues, sponsors and volunteers. Thank you to Copeton Waters State Park and Gwyider and Inverell Shire Councils along with Macintyre High School for the use of the venues. Thank you to the local sponsors of Gaukrogers, not only for the sponsorship, but also the use of the tent which kept us dry on Saturday, New England Toyota, Bikes In Byron, Furniture Court, Ditchfield First National, The RSM Club and WM Printing. Thank you to the Inverell Cycle N Tri volunteers who gave up their weekend to support The Racing Kangaroos and junior cycling. See you again next year.
