Cyclist Stephen Cuff is pedalling his way to the top
STEPHEN Cuff hopes to one day make a career out of cycling — and his latest achievements show he is well on the way to making that dream a reality.
West
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STEPHEN Cuff of Glenmore Park hopes to one day make a career out of cycling.
In April, the 15-year-old became the first u17s cyclist to conquer the Blayney to Bathurst 70km Short Course race, winning overall champion as well as his age group.
The proud Junior Sports Star nominee covered the distance in “about one hour and 38 minutes”.
“It was great weather, a bit of wind, but it worked in my favour,” he said.
The Glenmore Park High School Student is part of Penrith Cycling Club and has been in the Western Sydney Academy of Sport’s cycling program for three years.
Among his 2016 successes, Stephen has earned a gold and three silver medals at the Junior Track National Championships, taken out the Orica Kermesse, and picked up bronze medals at the Junior Mountain Climb National Championships.
He has also been selected to train with the NSW high performance squad, to be coached by former Olympian Brad McGee.
Stephen told the Penrith Press it is “hard to even explain” the difficulty involved in racing.
He is committed to training and eating right and puts up with the toll competing takes on his body, which often leaves him vomiting or struggling to walk.
“I have my rest periods where I just sit down, relax and let everything recover and then get back into it.”
Stephen, who mixes up his training to best sharpen his skills, uses a stationary bike at home, gets out on the road, and cycles around the Dunc Gray Velodrome at Bass Hill.
He said the taxing regimen was worth the feeling he gets when on a bike.
“I’m in my own world; it is just me and it’s fun.”
Stephen now has his sights set on the October road nationals held in Victoria.
“In the next age group up you are allowed to go to junior worlds, so hopefully I can make the Australia team.”
● Categories for the competition are Junior Sports Star, Young Sporting Spirit, Team Spirit and Service to Sport
● Rebel is the main sponsor, with Fox Sports Pulse and Simonds Homes
● Nominate now at juniorsportsstar.com.au
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