Newcastle Junior Tour – Report by Steve Dole

First day at the hunter tour saw some great results for our kids.
Curtis Trkulja won both the tt and the crit to be dominating his age group.
U15 girls was action packed with Amelia 4th in the tt and unlucky in the crit after giving it some stick. Sarah and Emily both rode well to be in the top 10.
U15 bòy’s Ryan and Tane both showed some strong form with Ryan 4th in the tt and then Tane 4th in the crit with a great sprint with ryan. Ryan is also holding the young riders jersey….
In the U17 women Shari is killing it with 2nd in both the tt and the crit and siting 2nd on gc. Tahlia was 4th in the tt and then spectacularly decked it in the crit, finishing but losing her young riders jersey. Jacinta is warming to the road riding stuff and was about 6th in both races and looking good.
Luke and Sam both put together good tt’s and both finishing in the first group in the crit.

The second day of the Hunter junior tour produced some great results for our juniors. The standout for the weekend was Curtis Trkulja who went 3 from 3 in the road race and finishing 1st on gc. This is Curtis’s best result for the year and happening at the right time of year. In the U15 women Amelia Trkulja took 4th place on gc but it nearly pulled the carpet from the leaders with a solo break in the road race that very nearly made it to the end. 1st year riders Emily and Sarah continue to improve and finished in the top 10 and finishing with the bunch.
In the U15 men Ryan and Tane again went head to head in the bunch sprint with Ryan getting over the top. Both boys picking up some valuable points toward state selection and Ryan 5th on gc.
In the U17 women Shari put the bunch on notice from the whistle and pace certainly increased. Despite attack and counter attack it was a bunch sprint and Shari took 2nd, bandage bear Tahlia 3rd and big improver Jacinta 5th. Shari taking 2nd on gc and Jacinta 5th on gc. All 3 girls picking up the valuable selection points on offer.
In the U17 men Luke and Sam are showing some late season form and both stuck with the front runners to finish in the top 10 in the road race.
In 2 weeks the kids head to Wagga for the state titles and possible state selection.

Report by Steve Dole