Smith takes it up to state's best cyclists

WANGARATTA Cycling Club’s Reuben Smith almost had a home state championships to remember, placing fourth in a thrilling sprint to the line in the under 19s Ronde Van Taminick at Glenrowan on the weekend. A group of six riders couldn’t be separated by time after five laps and 105km of the Taminick Gap circuit, which saw pre-race favourite Oscar Gallagher edge out some fierce competition in the closest finish of the day. Wangaratta Cycling Club secretary, Paul Somerville, said it was a top class ride by Smith, who also placed sixth in the time trials on Saturday. “It’s a fairly tough circuit with that climb which breaks up the peleton very quickly, but he was in the lead group all the way through and it came down to a bunch sprint,” he said. “Oscar Gallagher’s one of the fastest, not just in the state but in the country, so for Reuben to be within one bike length of him is a fantastic effort.” More than 300 cyclists across the state competed in the AusCycling Victoria senior and junior Time Trial Championships and Road Race Championships over two days of action packed cycling on local circuits. Gloomy weather couldn’t dampen spirits for time trials at Winton, while riders basked in the sunshine at Glenrowan for the road racing on Sunday. Somerville said there was a national standard of riding displayed from the under 11 junior categories up to the senior riders. “I challenge anyone in the community to ride their pushbikes at 30km/h for 15km,” he said. “There was some impressive bike setups and some impressive athletes competing through the whole weekend. “It was a fantastic weekend that really showcased the district and the economic benefits for the town were enormous. “It was nice for the community to be able to come along and watch national standard competition. “Obviously not all of them are going to go on and represent Australia but some of these riders will and everyone that goes to the Olympics has to go through grassroots sport.” Jo Somerville also represented the Wangaratta Cycling Club with pride, competing in her debut state time trial championships in the under 17 girls. Among the standout performers for the weekend included Jordan Villani in the elite men winning both events, clocking an average speed of 47.2km/h in the 35km time trial, and Sophie Sutton who also completed the double in the elite women with a five way sprint finish in the 84km Sunday race.

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