SA cyclists Tom Kaesler and Alexandra Manly off to the World Junior Road Cycling Championships in Italy

KEEP an eye on two of SA's brightest young road cycling prospects who leave next week for the junior world championships in Italy.

KEEP an eye on two of SA's brightest young road cycling prospects who leave next week for the junior world championships in Italy.

Tom Kaesler of Hawthorndene is the current Oceania and Australian under-19 time trial champion who has been riding for Euride in the National Road Series this year.

He is another product of the SA Sports Institute's talent identification program after making the switch to cycling from swimming.

"Having Tim (Decker) as my coach has helped me step up and believe in myself," Kaesler, 18, said.

"I'm not sure what to expect (at the worlds), it's my first time racing in Europe but I'd like to think we can give it a crack whether it's me or helping the boys."

Alexandra Manly, 17 of Nairne, is the current national champion in the time trial and criterium and won bronze in the road race at Noosa this year.

Like Kaesler, she turned to cycling through SASI after previously playing basketball and doing cross country running.

Manly spent last week preparing for the world titles with a four-day training camp in Geelong.

The junior road worlds are in Toscana, Italy, from September 22-29.

Caleb Ewan won a silver medal for Australia in the road race last year, while Luke Durbridge won gold in the time trial in 2009.