Archive 2010

Media release for RACING KANGAROOS.

Saturday the 6th of February 2010 marked the start of the maiden season of the RACING KANGAROOS. After 18 month of planning and pursuing an idea by cycling coach Kurt Pollock and Heinrich Haussler junior the time had finally come when 12 young elite cyclist gathered at Inverell NSW for the team presentation of the RACING KANGAROOS.

Heinrich Haussler is currently one of the brightest young prospects in professional cycling and led the UCI world road rankings for 3 month in 2009. Haussler, born to German and Australian parentage, was raised in Inverell Australia but returned to Germany at the age of 14 years to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional cyclist. Turning professional in 2005 at the age of 21, he quickly made a name for himself winning a stage of the Vuelta in emphatic style, beating his breakaway companions in an uphill sprint. Seventh place in the Championship of Zurich followed, and topped what was an impressive first year in the professional ranks. Taking five wins in 2006, Haussler was soon talked about in reverential terms. A strong sprinter, as he showed by winning a stage of the 2007 Dauphiné Libéré.

Haussler’s greatest potential, however, lies in the cobbled Classics. A top-ten performance at the 2008 Ghent-Wevelgem and second overall at the 2009 Tour of Qatar illustrate his potential for tough, windy races. A second place in the 100th edition of the Milan San Remo loosing out by 7 millimeters sees him going into the history books for the closest race in its 100 years history. A second place a week later in the Ronde of Flanders made him a household name in Belgium. A 7th place in the Paris Roubaix catapulted him to the No 1 road cyclist in the world. His stage 13 win in the Tour de France provided one of the most emotional wins at this year’s tour. Haussler had only joined the Cervélo Test Team for the 2009 season but has already signed a new contract with Cervelo till 2012. He also hinted at a switch to full Australian nationality in order to be able to compete for his country of birth at the 2010 World Championships in Melbourne. Haussler is also one of the major Sponsors for Australia’s toughest Cycling Classic the Mac Donalds Grafton to Inverell and he is the Sponsor and Patron for the Heinrich Haussler Junior Tour in Inverell. Heinrich sponsors LKT Brandenburg in Germany a Continental Team run by Steffen Blochwitz Heinrich’s former Manager. LKT Brandenburg is a talent cradle of German Cycling where Heinrich came from and than Martin Reimer now also Cervelo Test Team and the current German National Road Champion. Roger Kluge an Olympic medalist is the newest talent emerging from team LKT Brandenburg he rode the Grafton to Inverell in 2008 and has now joined Pro Tour Team Milram.

But Heinrich believed that it was time now for him to develop the most important project in helping young developing elite Australian cyclist’s to make the transition from the amateur to the professional ranks. This will be achieved through the formation of a new exciting team and concept THE RACING KANGAROOS.

The Racing Kangaroos cycling team has debuted in fine style following a successful weekend in Inverell.

After the criterium on Saturday the team launch and presentation was held at the Inverell RSM Club.

Inverell will from now on be known as the home of the RACING KANGAROOS.

“It was a remarkable night and the cycling world embraced the idea and the management of the team of the Racing Kangaroos couldn’t have been more happier with the reception of every one present,’’ team director and developer Heinrich Haussler snr said.

At a dinner attended by 300 people the team and its supporters launched the Racing Kangaroos the Heinrich Haussler junior cycling development team - a program made up of 12 budding riders from the under-15s to the under-19s. Members hail from Inverell, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, the Gold Coast, Wollongong and Brisbane.

“The program is not just aimed at cycling stars, winners and headline-makers,’’ Heinrich said.

“There is a strong focus on team members completing their education - including scholarships at special boarding schools - it is also aimed at helping them grow as people and become good citizens.’’

Saturday’s team launch included an interview with Haussler from Europe shortly before racing the Tour of Qatar, the induction of the team’s first line-up and the inspirational speeches of hope and belief in an inspiring sporting initiative.

Fittingly, the jersey Haussler wore in last year's Tour, was centre stage and raised $4000 at auction. Haussler snr said: ''This is an Australian story and it started as a dream - the same dream Heinrich saw through the rain, down the mountain to Colmar.

''You will know what it means when one of these boys steps on to the podium after winning one of the great monumental races. You will say: 'I was there when it started.'''

The team has 4 riders in the Under 19s, 4 riders in the Under 17s and 4 riders in the Under 15s.

In the Under 19s the following riders have been selected

Tatham White

Tatham is currently competing at the Australian track Championships in Adelaide representing the State of Queensland.

He was a Queensland State Team representative in 2008. He won Gold in the Queensland State Teams Time Trial and competing in the Australian Track Nationals he placed 4th in the Team Pursuit, 5th in the Team Sprint and 5th Individual Pursuit. In the Metro Championships 2008 he was voted most aggressive rider and he won Gold in the Road Race and Silver in the Criterium. Tatham is coached by Vince McLachlan and Louise Jones and resides in Brisbane and rides for Balmoral.

Angus Tobin U19

Angus Tobin is also currently competing at the Australian Track Championships in Adelaide as a member of the NSW Team. At the 2008 National Championships he placed first with the NSW pursuit team and won the bronze at the National Criterium Championships. In the Pennsylvania to New Jersey Road race in the USA he placed 2nd. In 2009 Angus placed 9th in the JACO BAY SERIES CRITS support race and placed 3rd in the NSW Scratch Race. He won the support race at the Cronulla international Criterium.

In 2010 riding for the NSW Institute of sport squad he placed 5th overall at in the JAYCO BAY CRIT SERIES. A fortnight later he followed up with a 4th place at the NSW Omnium Championships. Angus was the 2nd best performed NSW rider. Angus is coached by Mark Windsor and resides in Orange, NSW.

Josh Apolony U19

In 2008 Josh Apolony placed 4th in the NSW Road Race and 2nd at the NSW Country Road Championships. He won the Tour of two Rivers and also won the king of the Mountain series of the Race.

In 2009 he was selected as a NSW Development Rider to Tour New Caledonia. Josh was the overall winner of the Tour of cadets he also won the King of the Mountain series of that event. He was 2nd on GC at the inaugural Heinrich Haussler Junior Tour in Inverell. Josh is also the current Western NSW Regional Road Champion.

Josh is trained by Gus Dawson and resides in Dubbo and rides for Dubbo.

Luke Collyer U19

Luke Collyer was also selected as a NSW Development Rider to tour New Caledonia

He placed 4th overall and was the solo winner of stage 3 of the tour of cadets. Luke was placed third at the NSW sprint Championships. He finished 3rd in the support race at the Cronulla International criterium and he is a member of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport.

Luke resides In Sydney and rides for the Parramatta club and is coached by Peter Brooks.

In the Under 17s the following riders have been selected

Tirian McManus U17

Tirian Mc Manus is a 6 times National Road and Track champion and a 3 times winner of the NSW Road man of the year.

In 2008 Tirian was named as the champion of champions at the National track championships.

Tirian is coached by NSW Institute of Sport coach Mick Kejda.

Tirian resides in Sydney and rides for Southern Cross.

Jesse Kerrisson U17

At the 2010 Queensland Track Championships Jesse won Gold in the Scratch Race, Sprint, Individual Pursuit and the 500 metre time trial. In this event Jesse broke the 25 year old record held by Olympian Scott McGrory. Jesse is also the 2009 National Criterium Champion and won bronze in the National Road Race.

Jessie is coached by Stan Brims and Jessie resides at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Jessie rides for Gold Coast Goldstars

Michael Docker   U17

In the Flying 200 in March 2009, he was the only rider to go under 12 seconds [ 11.968 ] setting a new Australian Record, becoming the first Under 15 rider in the world to break the 12 second mark and is now the proud holder of a World Record. Michael won all 4 Individual NSW State Track Titles in the Fastest time nationally Michael has won 3 of 4 Individual Australian Track National Titles He has won the Champion of Champions Trophy in March 2009 at the Australian Championships which recognizes the most outstanding athlete of the Australian Titles. Michael is a 3 times NSW Cyclist of the year and the 2010 Under 17 Scratch Race Champion Michael is coached by his father Peter Docker, he resides in Sydney and he rides for Lidcombe Auburn cycle club, his sprint coach is Sean Eadie

Tom Apthorpe   U17

Tom Apthorpe is one of two local riders in the Racing Kangaroos Squad.

Tom has been competing a little over 12 months and has already achieved

some outstanding results. In 2009 Tom won silver at the NSW Road Championships Road Race and also won bronze in the time trial and Criterium. He followed this up with a second place at the National Road Championships. Tom currently leads the North Coast Criterium Series. Tom Apthorpe was the first winner of the inaugural Heinrich Haussler junior tour held at Inverell 2009 Tom is coached by Kurt Polock and is a member of the Inverell Cycle n Tri Club.

In the Under 15s the following riders have been selected

Harrison Carter   U15

Harrison Carter is a member of the 2009 NSW Road Squad. He was runner up in the NSW U15 Roadman of the year 2009. He won a Silver medal in the NSW U15 Hillclimb Championships in 2009 and a Bronze medal in the NSW U15 Pursuit Championships 2009. He also placed second at the 2009 Country Road Championships and placed second in the 2009 Country track Championships. Harrison is coached by Glen Carter and Mark Windsor and resides in Bathurst.

Bradley Heffernan U15

Bradley Heffernan is the 2009 Country Champion for U15 Men and record holder for the time trial (His time would have also won Gold in U17 Men division). In 2009 he also took 1st place in the Sydney Criterium U15 Men. Bradley is coached by Mick Kejda resides in Woollongong and rides for the Illawarra Club.

Blake Schuman   U15

Blake Schuman is the second Inverell rider to make it into the squad.

2009 was Blake’s first year of competitive cycling. Blake was selected into the Northern Inland Academy of Sport’s cycling squad. Blake’s achievements include first place on GC at the 2009 Tamworth Junior Tour and top ten placings at the NSW Road Championships. Blake is coached by Kurt Polock and is a member of the Inverell Cycle n Tri Club.

Nicholas Costello   U15

Nicholas Costello was placed 2nd in the Qld Road Race Championships. He finished 3rd in the crit and 3rd in the scratch race. In 2009 Nick placed 4th in the scratch race at the National Track Championships and 2nd in the Scratch Race at the Qld Track Championships. He placed 8th in the National Road Race. Nicholas has started the 2010 season off strongly with a 4th place at the Australian Mountain bike championships held in Adelaide and added 2 bronze medals to his tally at the Qld Track Championships in the Scratch race and the Individual Pursuit. Nicholas resides in Herberton in far north Qld and is coached by Hamish Guy.

The riders will have training camps during the year and they will travel to compete in New Caledonia, New Zealand and races in Australia. In 2011 the Under 19s will go for a 4 to 5 week trip to Germany where they will attend the sport school where Heinrich Haussler did his training and education at Cottbus.

Top level coaches will be working with them and they will have an extensive racing program whilst in Germany.

The team has received great support nationally and internationally with Cervelo one of the main sponsors. The Cervelo bikes supplied to the team are known as the best racing bikes around the world and will give our riders a big advantage in their races. Australian company 2XU will provide the racing, compression recovery, and general team clothing to ensure the squad is dressed for success."

The man who has taken the Australian horse racing industry by storm is throwing his support behind racing of another kind – cycling. Nathan Tinkler, owner of Patinack Farm and one of the richest men in Australia, has agreed to join Inverell professional cyclist Heinrich Haussler as a sponsor of the new Australian junior cycling squad The Racing Kangaroos. MSS a Maintenance Systems Solutions Company has also thrown their support behind the team. AirTravel is covered by Inverell’s Windsong Travel Agent. The Inverell RSM Club has come on board and is for the next 3 years the function centre for the team and the Inverell Shire Council is also a proud supporter and sponsor of the team. It will be a huge benefit for the Inverell Community to host three big cycling events yearly. The Racing Kangaroos camps and functions, the Heinrich Haussler Junior Tour and the greatest Cycling Classic in Australia the Grafton to Inverell.

The team is still looking for other sponsors to come on board and will name more sponsors shortly.