Cody Harvey's cycling and mountainbiking achievements are mounting up.
The James Hargest College student has recorded wins and placings in mountainbiking, road and track events in Otago and Southland in the past year. His latest victory came in wet and cold conditions in the under-15 boys' race (13km) at the Otago-Southland Secondary Schools' Road Championships at Myross Bush last week.
He said a positive attitude and being fit had helped him to do well in cycling.
"You have to be confident ... and I like the thrills [of competing]."
One of his track cycling coaches, Dave Beadle, sees encouraging signs in the teenager.
"He's certainly got the potential to go a fair way," Beadle said.
Alana Breen (Verdon College) on her way to winning the under-15 girls' race at the Otago-Southland Secondary Schools' Road Championships.
"He's eager to learn and is getting stronger."
Cody is in the 16-strong under-15 Southland squad being coached by Beadle, Don Frew and Brendon McLeod at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome in Invercargill.
Cycling NZ regional performance hub coach Sid Cumming has also given Cody advice.
Leading out at the start of the under-17 boys' race are Hayden Thompson (left, Wakatipu High School) and Navarh Brotherston (Southland Boys' High School) at the Otago-Southland Secondary Schools' Road Championships
Fourteen-year-old Cody has had a busy start to 2018, riding at the Age Group Track National Championships at the velodrome (second in scratch race final, third in derby final), Oceania Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships in Dunedin (third) and the New Zealand Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships at Hawea Flat, near Wanaka (third).
Last year he won the under-14 boys' division at the South Island Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships in Dunedin.
When asked what his favourite cycling discipline was, Cody replied: "I like cross-country; it's exhilarating."
Drying out in front of a gas heater are, from left, Tane Wilson, of James Hargest College, Magnus Jamieson, of Southland Boys' High School, and Oliver Borrie, Conrad Clark and Kayne Borrie, all of James Hargest, after competing at the Otago-Southland Secondary Schools' Road Championships.
His next big target will be the Junior Tour of Southland in early October.
Meanwhile, 13 schools were represented at the Otago-Southland Secondary Schools' Road Championships last Wednesday. James Hargest College riders accumulated the most points (28 points) from Verdon College (20), second; Southland Boys' High School (15), third; Central Southland College (11), fourth; Southland Girls' High School (10), fifth.
- Stuff