After a massive performance in the criterium racing, Bathurst Cycling Club and Western Region Academy of Sport cyclist Kalinda Robinson has managed to win a silver medal at Australian Junior Road National Championships.
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Held in the Western Australian city of Bunbury, Robinson competed in the individual time trial, the road race and criterium at championship held on September 21 to 23.
It was in the criterium where she managed to get on the podium, just losing out on the gold medal via a photo finish.
Francesca Swell was the eventual winner, with Robinson finishing ahead of Ella Sibley in third.
WRAS coach Marion Renshaw was stoked with how 14-year-old Robinson went.
“She’s really developed on the road as a rider in the past months and now she’s proven that she has what it takes to race at such a high level,” she said.
“It was a difficult and technical course in the criterium, with some climbing in the course. However, she managed to stay up the front of the race.
“It was a great result for Kalinda, to get a silver medal. The silver medal is more remarkable because she’s just a first year in the under 17s grade.
“Time trial wasn’t her targeted event but she finished well in that. She also got a top 10 finish in the road race.
- READ ALSO: Robinson earns Hunter Junior Tour podium
“Overall, she was in great form for the championships.”
Fellow Bathurst Cycling Club rider Luke Tuckwell was good enough to take home a medal in the under 15s road race.
Tuckwell, who isn’t known for his sprint finishes, rode a tactically perfect race on narrow roads to finish on the podium in third place.
He just missed out on another medal in the time trial, finishing fourth.
He finished in seventh position in the criterium, with Orange Cycling Club’s Benjamin Anderson finishing ahead of him in fifth.
“Luke did really well to win a medal,” Renshaw said.
“He had a really good time trial, just missing the podium.
“In the criterium, Luke broke away from the field for four laps, before he was reeled in what was a tough, uphill battle to the finish. He was still in touch with the bunch but finished seventh.
“Both him and Kalinda are committed to their sport and that’s why they do so well. It’s not a chore for them.”
Overall, it was a successful championship for all NSW teams competing, although the team was unable to snag an elusive gold medal.
Overall, WRAS members won a tally of five medals, of the 12 bought home by the NSW team.
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