Junior Kiwis benefit from World Champs merger

Williams in action today ©Graham Watson

Sep 20th, 11. Georgia Williams was the first of the Kiwi juniors to race at the 2011 UCI Road World Championships, and the experience lived up to her expectations.

Last year there was only one Kiwi competing for the UCI Junior World Road Championship titles, in the few years preceeding there were none.

Thanks to a UCI change which joined the junior and senior World Championships into one event, and therefore reduced support staff overheads, this year New Zealand has a team of seven U19 riders in Copenhagen, Denmark ready to take on the World's best.

It is a brilliant opportunity for young riders to gain invaluable experience, exposure and additional motivation for future goals.

Williams was the first in action when she set off for the 13.9km time trial event earlier today. She placed 6th in the world.

"The TT was good, the course was pretty technical with lots of corners, a few speed bumps and a short cobble section, it made it all good fun though," she told RoadCycling.co.nz

"I was a bit bummed I didn't medal, but I am still happy with my result." 

Williams, who has twice raced and medalled at the UCI Junior Track World Championships, said having the Elites, U23s and junior road racing together at one event was "awesome".

"They just casually walk past you at the racing which is cool. We are all looking forward to watching them race live when we are usually watching them on TV," she added.

The Auckland rider is back in action later in the week for the 5 x 14km road race along with Alexandra's Sophie Williamson.

"I am looking forward to the road race on Friday. We went and rode two laps of the course today and it looks really nice! I am pretty excited."

As for the overall experience of being in Denmark, the young Kiwi remarked, "Denmark is pretty nice, such a strong cycling culture. There are bikes everywhere!"

The junior men have their first taste of action later today when James Oram and Fraser Gough compete in the 2 x 13.9km time trial event. Also racing today is NZ's two time elite women's time trial medallist Linda Villumsen, her race is the same course and length as the junior men tackle.

UCI World Road Championships

• Road race results from the UCI Road World Championships
• New World Road Champion Mark Cavendish
• Kiwis Worlds foiled by crash
• Jack Bauer ready for Worlds challenge
• Linda Villumsen races to plan
• Crashes hold junior Kiwis back
• Disappointment for U23 Kiwi men
• Junior Kiwis in the action, not just the good action
• Start lists for the road race events
• Kiwi family has two riders to cheer at the Worlds
• All time trial results
• Tony Martin delivers a World Champion performance
• Big images of the Kiwis in action
• Jack Bauer happy with Top 20 performance
• UCI name Jesse Sergent as one of the favourites
• Silver success for Linda Villumsen
• Stunning silver medal for James Oram
• Junior Kiwis benefit from World Champs merger
• Two Kiwis 6th best TT times in the World
• Aussies steal all the action on Day 1 
• Women's elite TT start list
• NZ team and race schedule