Warwick trio ready to cycle at the nationals

THREE mates will come up against each other at cycling nationals.

READY: Warwick masters cyclists Tony Simonelli, Phil Seibel and Rob Partington are off to the nationals. Picture: Gerard Walsh

CYCLING: Warwick pair Tony Simonelli and Phil Seibel will compete in nine events between them at the national masters track championships that start on Sunday at Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.

Rob Partington has nominated for one event, the individual pursuit, which will be his first track ride at national level.

Simonelli has won a gold medal at the nationals in masters cycling and is competing for the first time in a new age group, 55-59 years.

Being the first year in a new age group doesn't always boost a cyclist medal hopes.

"As riders such as the Olympians get older, they tend to return to competition. One rider who competes is Olympian Ron Boyle, a brother of star sprinter Raelene Boyle,” Simonelli said.

Simonelli will compete in the time trial, scratch race, pursuit, sprint and points score event.

Seibel and Partington are also in the 55-59 years age group and all three have been training hard at the Warwick Velodrome in Australiana Park.

Seibel will compete in the time trial, scratch race, sprint and points score.

"I have my best chance of a medal in the scratch race,” he said.

"I love riding on Anna Meares Velodrome. The nationals used to always be down south as we didn't have an indoor facility in Queensland.

"Track riding was almost dead in Queensland before we got the new velodrome. They had some come-and-try days to boost interest in track cycling.”

Partington said, as he was self employed, he preferred to stick to the 2km individual pursuit rather than take a risk of injury in an event with a larger number of riders.

In the pursuit, riders start on opposite sides of the velodrome.

Last year at the state championships, Partington missed bronze by .1 of a second in the time trial.

Simonelli and Partington will both compete in the individual pursuit.

"While we are competing against each other, everyone pitches in to help other riders,” Simonelli said.

Partington also enjoys success in triathlon doing the bike leg for his team that includes former Warwick runner John Baguley, who is now based in Ipswich, and team swimmer Shiralee Bielenberg.

As Partington races for a medal in the individual, he will be lapping up the excitement of competing on one of the fastest tracks in the world.

The three Warwick riders will be supported at the nationals by world masters medallist John Eder.

During the week, Eder was riding a motorcycle on the velodrome as he tested the speed of the trio.

See results from national championships in print editions next week and www.warwickdailynews.com.au.