29/03/2011 - The ILT Velodrome and Cycling Southland will host the 2011 South Island Secondary School Track Cycling Champs this Wednesday. The championships will host 55 riders from Christchurch, Ashburton, Central Otago and Invercargill. A 20 strong team from James Hargest College will be looking to defend its title against quality competition from Southland Boys and Girls Highs.
In the Under 15 age group Liam Haggerty will look to repeat his success from the age group Nationals in an 18 strong field with tough competition likely to come from Hamish Beadle and Josh Carpenter.
In the Under 17 Girls field it will be a battle of the schools with Dunstan, James Hargest, Asburton and Southland Girls all entering 3 riders each. Southland Girls High School has a strong team with Southland representatives Laura Heywood, Libby Bayne and Brooke Brazier.
In the Under 17 Boys Michael Culling will be a strong contender for the three events and Josh Haggerty will hope to continue his fine form from the recent track and road champs.
The Under 19 field is small but is made up of one of the best up and coming women’s endurance track riders in Sophie Williamson and one of the best up and coming women’s sprinters in Kate Dunlevy. It should be a close fought battle in the shorter style racing.
The U19 Men’s field is dominated by James Hargest which contributes six of the nine entries. The shorter style events should suit Tom Beadle, with strong challenges expected from fellow Age Group representatives Marcel Baird, Paddy Daly and Jamie Culling will be right their also.
Points will be awarded over three individual events, a time trial and derby over 500 metres and a 1 kilometre scratch race with Team Sprints scheduled to finish proceedings. Racing starts from 10am.