Must have been Australia’s worst nightmare as the top two places in last weekend’s Canberra Tour Under 17 Junior Women were taken by Amy Cure from Tasmania and Ashleigh Neave from New Zealand.
Neave sponsored by Pedal Power Taradale competed as part of the New Zealand Junior team in one of Australia’s premiere cycle tours. With racing centred around the impressive Canberra Cycling Complex at Mt. Stromblo Recreation Park.
The Sacred Heart College student, one of New Zealand’s strongest Under 17 female juniors, finished fourth in Saturday’s first 38km stage. She made the split in a five rider break-away, taking more than a minute and a half out of the rest of the field. The multiple hill-reps in her punishing training schedule paid off handsomely as she gathered enough points to sit in second spot for Queen of the Mountain.
Saturday’s second stage took place on Mt. Stromblo’s criterium track, a fast and technical course that stretched the Kiwi junior team to their limits. With the bunch finishing together there were no changes to the general classification. Australia’s high level of commitment to the growing sport of cycling is evident. This purpose-built recreation park, covers road race, cross-country and down-hill mountain biking.
During the 41km long third stage held on Sunday morning, Neave again made the split, finishing third as three of them broke away almost two minutes ahead of the bunch. This moved her up to third spot overall and she maintained her second place in QOM.
The decider came on Sunday afternoon in the fourth and last stage, a 9.5km time trial on an undulating out-and-back course with an uphill finish. History repeated itself as Neave finished third again, but she gained enough time on her nearest rival to climb to second spot overall.
Competing against a full line-up of Australia’s top junior riders, Neave’s result gives a good indication of her current progress, and bodes well for her international cycling future.
Local rider Sean Joyce from Havelock North competed at the same tour in the Junior Under 19 Men grade. The Revolution Bikes cycle mechanic was a designated helper for the New Zealand team leader. A “no glory-just hard craft” job of controlling the bunch, fetching water and chasing down break-away riders.
After doing a ton of work for the New Zealand team in Saturday’s criterium Joyce finished strong in fifth place. Showing that given a change this dedicated youngster can compete at this higher level, and will be the one to watch.
