A HUGE disappointment.
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That is how Western Region Academy of Sport officials described the news that this week's Junior National Track Championships had been cancelled due to the continued outbreak of coronavirus.
Scheduled to take place at Brisbane's Anna Meares Velodrome, the event was set to feature Bathurst talents Tyler Puzicha, Luke Tuckwell, Cadel Lovett and Kalinda Robinson.
Between them they won three gold, five silver and three bronze medals when representing WRAS at the state titles.
But they will not get the chance to wear the colours of the New South Wales track team as Cycling Australia was forced to cancel the nationals.
"We are currently in unprecedented times and the welfare of everyone including riders, coaches, officials and their families and other supporters is paramount in coming to this decision," Cycling Australia chair Duncan Murray said.
The Bathurst talents were four of eight WRAS riders who now have to wait at least a year to have another shot at national glory. They had put six months of hard work into earning state selection.
"Unfortunately the track cycling season has ended in the worst possible way," the WRAS cycling team posted on Facebook.
"Whilst this is understandable, it is a huge disappointment for all the cyclists looking forward to competing on the national stage."
Fellow Bathurst talents Kalinda Robinson and Daniel Googe, as well as Bathurst Cycling Club graduate Emily Watts, may still get their chance to race at the Elite and Under 19 Track Nationals.
That event was scheduled for March 25-29 in Brisbane and given it was set to act as a selection for the 2020 UCI Junior Track World Championships, it has been postponed to a yet to be determined date rather than being cancelled.
Cycling Australia said it considered the option of holding the championships behind closed doors, but opted against this.
Officials said "the threat posed from group travel and any potential long term isolation of minors while away from home was too high of a risk."
