SA cyclists Elisabeth Green and Sebastian Zajaczkowski ready for live streamed SA/NT Junior track champs

Watch all the action from the final day of the SA/NT Junior Track Cycling Championships from 9am. You can also catch the replay from day one and two.

Elisabeth Green always enjoyed cycling and watching the Tour Down Under.

But she never thought she had what it took to take up the sport, let alone be one of the state’s best young stars.

That all changed about six months ago after being selected as part of SASI’s talent identification program.

Now, the 15-year-old is preparing to race in her first state titles during this weekend’s SA/NT Junior Track Cycling Championships.

The three-day event will be live streamed exclusively by The Advertiser on advertiser.com.au on Friday from 6pm.

Elisabeth took part in SASI’s Pedal to Podium campaign, which aims to identify males and females aged between 12 and 15 years who have the potential to become Australia’s next cycling champions, at this year’s TDU.

The Cabra Dominican College student said she never dreamt of being good enough to represent SA and was grateful for the past six months.

Girls U13 Freya Miller concentrates at the start of her time trial. Picture: Mike Burton

Ryan Underwood competing in the under-13 time trial at the SA/NT Junior Track Cycling Championships. Picture: Mike Burton

“My family was into cycling … we’d go on bike rides together and often we would ride our bikes into the city to go to the Tour Village,” Elisabeth said.

“My dad knew more about it than me and he said ‘let’s go to the SASI tent … but it turns out it was one of the best things I ever did.

“The talent identification program has been a really great opportunity to open up future pathways for me.”

Riders will compete in time trial, individual pursuit, scratch race, points race, sprint, team sprint and team pursuit across under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17 divisions.

Elisabeth will take part in most of the time trial and sprint races in the under-17 girls division.

The South Coast Cycling Club member said she was nervous about the upcoming titles but also excited.

“I look back six months ago and never would have pictured myself being in this position, competing in a state championship,” Elisabeth said.

Darwin cyclist Kaylee Dunn hits the Adelaide SuperDrome track in the time trial. Picture: Mike Burton

“I have worked really hard and I’ve seen a massive improvement from where I began with certain things like time trials.

“I’ve really pushed myself and I’ve been able to beat my personal best every time.

“I am nervous but I am also really looking forward to it and turning those nerves into excitement.

“The live streaming is quite exciting as well … it will give the sport exposure and might encourage others to get involved.

AusCycling SA general manager Lachie Ambrose said cyclists from all over the state, including in Mount Gambier and Whyalla as well as a contingent from the NT would be racing at the event.

It follows n from this week’s announcement that the Tour Down Under would be replaced by a new six-day cycling festival in January.

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY:

■ 6pm: Individual pursuit qualifying — under-15, under-17

■ 7.55pm: Individual pursuit finals — under-15, under 17

SATURDAY:

■ 9am: Time trial — under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17

■ From 11.30am: Individual pursuit qualifying + finals — under-11

- Individual pursuit qualifying — under-13

- Team pursuit finals — under-15, under-17

- Individual pursuit finals — under-13

■ From 3pm: Team sprint finals — under-15, under-17

- Scratch race — under-11

- Points race — under-13

■ 4.10pm: Points race — under-15, under-17, under-11

SUNDAY:

■ 9am: Scratch race final — under-17, under-15, under-13

■ 10am: Sprint qualifying — under-17, under-15, under-13

■ From 12pm: Sprint round 2 — under-17, under-15, under-13

- Quarter-finals — under-17

- Semi-finals — under-13, under-15, under-17

- Finals — under-13, under-15, under-17