Southland dominates World Championship selection
Cycling New Zealand has confirmed its nine-strong group of promising teenagers to compete at the world junior track champs with three of them hailing from Southland.
Southland will make up a third of Cycling New Zealand’s team heading to the UCI Track Cycling Junior World Championship in South America this year.
Cycling New Zealand has confirmed its nine-strong group of promising teenagers to compete at the event in August with three of them hailing from Southland.
The Southland trio are Caitlin Kelly, Marshall Erwood, and Magnus Jamieson.
Erwood and Jamieson are part of the Cycling Southland club while Kelly is part of the G-Force programme under the tutelage of Sid Cumming.
Kelly has made big strides which was highlighted by her winning two medals at the Oceania Championships, as well as the national omnium and elimination titles.
Erwood has been in sublime form of late taking out four Oceania titles in the time trial, elimination scratch race and Madison.
Jamieson was another to impress at the Oceania event and locked in his spot in the New Zealand team for the World Junior Championships.
The trio’s selection continues Southland’s impressive record of producing good young cycling talent.
Cycling New Zealand’s Graeme Hunn is pleased with the team that’s been put together.
“This is an encouraging group of young riders with five of them first-year juniors who could compete again next year.”
“After the disruptions with Covid, this year we have had the benefit of returning to competition across the Tasman, which has provided a solid litmus test for our riders, and also some understanding of international competition before they travel.”
The team to compete in the UCI Track Cycling Junior World championships in Cali, Colombia from 23-27 August is:
Female: Meg Baker (Christchurch), Jodie Blackwood (Auckland), Caitlin Kelly (Invercargill), Georgia Simpson (Feilding). Male: Matthew Davidson (Christchurch), Marshall Erwood (Invercargill), James Gardner (Dunedin), Magnus Jamieson (Invercargill), Austin Norwell (Auckland).
Coaches: Elyse Fraser (Christchurch) lead & female endurance; Andrew Williams (Christchurch) male endurance; Fionn Cullinane (Cambridge) sprint; Rushlee Buchanan (Cambridge) manager.