Southland cyclists about to take on the world
The nine-strong New Zealand junior squad includes three Southlanders; Caitlin Kelly, Magnus Jamieson and Marshall Erwood - all members of SBS Bank Academy Southland.
Watching their senior counterparts excel on the world stage has been inspiring for the Cycling NZ junior squad as it prepares for the UCI junior world track cycling championships in Colombia.
The nine-strong squad includes three Southlanders; Caitlin Kelly, Magnus Jamieson and Marshall Erwood - all members of SBS Bank Academy Southland.
Cycling NZ’s elite squad won 16 medals, half of them on the track, at the recent super championships in Glasgow and the junior brigade watched on with great interest during their final training camp in Cambridge.
“They’ve had some good results and it’s been good to watch,” Erwood said just before the team began the first of three long flights to Cali.
“Every night we would put on the racing from the day before on YouTube and check out what techniques they were using. It’s been explained to us, especially if you are doing an Olympic event, that if we do well then the team will definitely look at us.”
Erwood will ride the team pursuit and omnium, and combine with Jamieson for the two-person madison. The junior worlds will be the first time the Southlanders have ridden a madison together in a competition, although they have ridden in pursuit and sprint teams together at national level.
“We’ve gelled together quite well. We have to share a suitcase together and a bike box over to Colombia, so we are doing a lot of stuff together.”
Erwood is expecting tough competition on the open-sided Cali track, especially from riders coming fresh from the European championships. An Argentinian rider who spent time in New Zealand on exchange last year has also provided some good intel on what to expect.
Kelly was also excited about her first taste of racing overseas.
“I’ve only been overseas once, for Oceania champs, and so this is completely crazy.”
Despite the challenges of travel, altitude, heat and humidity Jamieson is hoping to stick as closely as he can to his successful routines.
“I’m going to stick to the same process that I do for nationals or even a club race so that I can race the way I normally do.”
The 2023 UCI junior track world championships run from August 23 (local time) to August 27. As well as being the world capital of salsa, Cali has previously hosted 17 World Cup or Nations Cup events and hosted the UCI track world championships in 2013.
Since 2005 SBS Bank Academy Southland has been supporting Southlanders with the opportunities, tools and support they need to reach the top of their game.
The Academy provides mental skills, athlete life, nutrition and strength and conditioning support to athletes in order to be the best they can be, as athletes and people.