Kiwi wins U19 Australian National Championship road race

May 5th , 09.  Patrick Bevan had the best win of his career when he won the U19 Australian Championship Road Race on Saturday. "For the Kiwis to win races let alone medals is an indication that we have some very good riders coming through the development programme" Hamish Ferguson Cycling NZ selector

Patrick told RoadCycling NZ that whilst he won the U19 Road Race in the Oceania Championships in February, this weekend's race included the best of the best from all around Australia and to him it was his biggest achievement yet.   Patrick topped off the weekend with silver in the 30 minute Criterium the day after his road race win. 

The 123km road race in Murwillumbah south of the Gold Coast was a seven lap course with one reasonable climb to slow down the field each lap.  Patrick explained that the field stayed together pretty much until the final 1km when things got messy, as they often do in the sprint.

With the help of his kiwi teammates who denied anyone the chance to get away, Patrick had the fastest legs at the end finishing first with fellow kiwi Josh Atkins 3rd.  Josh was happy with his race too, "It was a very good race and I am pretty happy with result and how things went" he said.

Josh told RoadCycling that he headed into the event with little expectations as his form hadn't been that good, "To come off with a medal against a field of class riders was great & a real tribute to the efforts of the team. The race panned out well with Simon Finucane & Patrick Williamson doing the early work with Patrick Bevin and myself focused on the finish. I didn't expect the field to stay together as it did with a 30 man bunch sprint for the finish. It was great to see Patrick win with myself in 3rd and Patrick Williamson 10th. Team Coach/Manager Ken Bewley summed it up pretty well "You Beauties".

Cycling NZ selector's view

Cycling NZ selector Hamish Ferguson told RoadCycling, "Having had reports from [team managers] Eddie Bright and Ken Bewley it's safe to say the team was very successful. These Championships are the selection event for Aussie riders and they were going full out to impress. For the Kiwis to win races let alone medals is an indication that we have some very good riders coming through the development programme. The NZ riders went in with goals and a plan to make an impact on the racing and all have come back from the event super motivated for upcoming events."

For Josh Atkins and Patrick Bevin that next event is the Junior Worlds on the Track in Moscow, Russia in August. "Now I'm focusing on the Junior Track World Champs. My training is geared towards peaking for this event where my goals are to medal (gold)" says Josh.  As for Patrick, when I asked what's next he replied, "More of the same".

It sounds like we'll be hearing a lot more from these talented young cyclists over the coming months and years.

 

The full NZ Men's Team was for the Australian U19 Road Championships in Murwillumbah was:

• Josh Atkins 
  
• Patrick Williamson 
  
• Patrick Bevin
  
• Simon Finucane 

The team was supported by

• Ken Bewley (Coach)  

Results

Time trial, 28km, Murwillumbah, NSW: Luke Durbridge (Midland) 41:35.78, 1; Dale Parker (Central Districts) 43:03.77, 2; Jordan Kerby (Fraser Coast) 43:10.94, 3.
New Zealanders: Josh Atkins (Christchurch) 45:43.22, 14; Simon Finucane (Rotorua) 46:47.78, 23; Patrick Williamson (Alexandra) 48:16.33, 35.

Road race, 123km: Patrick Bevin (Taupo, NZL) 3:02.52, 1; Michael Phelan (Australia) same time, 2; Atkins, same time, 3.
Other New Zealanders: Williamson at 1 sec, 10; Finucane at 2 sec, 21.

Criterium, Nerang, Qld: Jordan van der Togt (Australia) 1, Bevin 2, Phelan 3.
Other New Zealanders: Williamson 10, Atkins 15, Finucane 22.

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