Cycling Club over-represented at World Championships
By Janine Appleton - due to be published in this week’s Mansfield Courier
Scotland is all set to witness the exhilarating 2023 Cycling World Championships, commencing this Thursday, 3rd August. The international event promises exhilarating competition with the most elite cyclists in the world from all disciplines converging on Scotland. Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club is extremely over-represented for such a small rural club with seven riders selected to represent Australia.
Leading the charge on day one for the Australian contingent is Nathan Dabbs, a Year 12 student at Mansfield Secondary College. Nathan's passion for cycling will be on full display as he takes on the Junior Men's Downhill Qualifying round on the opening day of the competition. Supported by his family, including his mum and grandparents, Nathan will realize his dream of competing against the world's best riders. In the pits, he will have the technical expertise of Matt Empey, officially assisting the Junior Australian Downhill Team as the Junior Downhill Performance Assistant.
Friday, 4th August, will witness the fearless Elise Empey in action, competing in the Elite (Open) Women's Downhill event. Having honed her skills through the European World Cup races since May, Elise's consistent performances have earned her selection in the national team. Elise rode to 6th place at last year's World Championships in the junior division. Despite the competitiveness of the elite category being much greater, Elise embraces the challenge with confidence. Another promising young talent from Mansfield, Bella Green, was selected to race in the same category as Elise, however she cannot participate this time. She is heading to Europe later in the year for several races.
On Saturday the 5th of August, the spotlight will be on Talia Appleton, competing in the junior women's road race. Balancing her year 12 studies at John Monash Science School with approximately 20 hours of training each week is a challenge Talia embraces. She has spent the last fortnight racing in Belgium to familiarise herself with European racing. The roads are narrower, with sections of cobblestone paving, and the peloton is tightly packed and aggressive.
In the BMX Masters category, the lightning-fast Adam Baker is all set to tackle the snake-like track, replete with jumps, bumps, and banked turns. Embracing the thrill of BMX racing and mountain biking alike, Adam's adrenaline-packed rides promise to be a treat for spectators.
Though Ruby Dobson (Junior Women's Mountain Bike Cross Country) and Hayden Fletcher (Elite Men's BMX Racing) couldn't make it to the event, the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club takes immense pride in supporting its junior riders financially through their Junior Rider Development Grants. If anyone is interested in giving mountain biking or road cycling a go, the club has a pool of loan bikes to get you started, so please email the club at mmbcc.info@gmail.com
For those keen to catch the action live, tune into SBS On Demand, where the riveting races will be televised. Don't miss Talia's race at 6.45pm AEST on Saturday, 5th August, followed by the Elite Women's Downhill final at 9.15pm the same day. Let's rally behind our talented cyclists as they strive for glory on the world's grandest cycling stage!
ALL CLUB MEMBERs inVitiation to WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PARTY
SBS On Demand are showing Talia's and Elise's Race next Saturday the 5th. Junior Road Race from 6.45pm and Women's Downhill final from 9.15pm. The Appletons are inviting all of the MMBCC to join them to watch the events.
Where - Matt and Shaz's farm at Merrijig.
When - Saturday 5th August from 5pm (don't miss the sunset)
Food - BYO. It is a potluck dinner. Make something simple and tasty that will be part of a buffet that everyone can enjoy
Drinks - BYO
RSVP - SMS Jarrod before Thursday on 0448 043 413.