JUNIOR SPORT - CYCLING - Junior racers feel heat

FIVE JUNIOR RIDERS from the Marsden Wheelers Cycling Club joined 270 riders from all over New Zealand to ride in the three-day Te Awamutu Junior Tour in Waikato over Anzac weekend.
The results from the event were to be used to decide who will ride at the Junior World Champs in South Africa in July, making the racing fast and competitive.
The outstanding Northland performance belonged to 14-year-old Mathew Zenovich from Okaihau College.
The under-15 boys had four races over three days. Mathew was second in the first two stages on the first day and third in the third stage on day two.
The final race on the third day was a short time trial. Seconds separated the riders who were placed second, third and fourth and, in what turned into a thrilling finish, Mathew rode the 10kms at 38km/h to gain third place overall.
Seventeen-year-old Elliot Frizelle from Kamo High School, riding in the highly competitive U-19 male grade, had the unluckiest tour of the Northland group.
His final placing didn't reflect the determined riding he showed after being caught up in crashes over the first two days.
Other riders, Bream Bay College's Nadya Worthy (U-19), Whangarei Boys High School's Roger Grierson (U-19) and Kamo High School's Sam Frizelle (U-17) also rode strongly but were outclassed by the top-level competition they encountered.
All three riders were impressed with the speed of other riders in their age group and gained valuable experience over the weekend.
The next junior road cycling event is open to all secondary school students in Northland, the Avanti Plus Northland Championships this Sunday on the Tanekaha Circuit, Jordan Valley Rd near Hikurangi.
Last year's event, which was organised by the Marsden Wheelers, was the start of competitive cycling for the five young riders who competed in the Waikato recently and is an indication of how far a rider can improve in just one season.
For more information contact Ruth Jarman, Junior Cycling Coordinator, Marsden Wheelers Cycling Club, Phone 021 438 252