Lachlan Stewart, Billie Russell, Jasmine Gill riders to look out for at cycling state track titles
The best young cyclists from Victoria set to converge to Melbourne for the state titles this weekend. We reveal the future Olympians who will be on show.
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The best young riders of Victoria will take centre stage this weekend when the state track titles are held in Melbourne.
While later in the year the focus will be on the current generation of cyclists at the Paris Olympics, the track titles could be a glimpse into what Australia’s squad could look like when the Games hit Brisbane in 2032.
It might be the start of a career leading to the Anna Meares Velodrome.
More than 65 athletes will compete in four age groups, under-11s, under-13s, under-15s and under-17s, in boys and girls.
Riders are not only competing for state titles but the opportunity to represent Victoria at the upcoming national titles in Brisbane next month.
We’ve listed riders to look out for in every age group involved.
Check them out below, in alphabetical order.
Ethan Arnott, Brunswick Cycling Club – One rider to look out for in the under-13 boys at the state titles. Arnott last year finished sixth in the time trial in his first state track titles and with another year of experience could be on track to win a medal or two.
Chloe Bain, Blackburn Cycling Club – Finished third recently in the under-15 girls event at the Omnium national titles in Adelaide. Will be looking to win her first medal in the under-15s at the state titles
Hayley Bain, Blackburn Cycling Club – Competing for the first time in the under-11s this season. Last year she was the Blackburn Cycling Club criterium champion in under-9s. Bain will compete in three events at the state titles.
Leroy Bartlett, Blackburn Cycling Club – Finished fifth in the under-13 time trial last year. Will be a rider to look out for as he competes as a top-age athlete.
Violet Bartlett, Blackburn Cycling Club – Will compete for the first time at the state titles in the under-11s. Bartlett last year had a big year. Not only was she successful, on track, winning plenty of races, but she also won the Marie Manske Junior Encouragement Award as the best rider at the Christmas Carnival for Blackburn Cycling Club in 2022. She will compete in four events.
Hugo Boddam-Whetham, Preston Cycling Club – Heads into his first state track titles with another state title already under his belt. Boddam-Whetham won the omnium state title in October last year.
Lachlan Ermert, Blackburn Cycling Club – Won bronze in the points race last year in his first year in the under-15s. Ermert will compete in four events.
Jasmine Gill, Brunswick Cycling Club – Won the time trial in her first year in the under-13s and finished second in the Flying 200m. After an impressive first year in under-13s, expect Gill to be one of the riders to beat this year as a top-age athlete.
Krystal Gill, Brunswick Cycling Club – Makes the rise to the under-13s after dominating her under-11 rivals last year. She won the time trial by more than four seconds and the Flying 200m by almost a second.
Toby Hanger, Preston Cycling Club – Finished third in the Omnium under-11 state titles behind his teammate Boddom-Wheatham. Competing in his first state titles.
Emilia Jirovec, Brunswick Cycling Club – Will compete in the under-13s for the second straight year. Last year, Jirovec won the Flying 200m title and finished second to Gill in the time trial.
Ollie Jirovec, Brunswick Cycling Club – Is a top age competitor in the under-17s. Jirovec will be one of the riders to beat after claiming the state title last year in the points race and the individual pursuit. He also finished third in the flying 200m.
Aziz Kirmizi, Brunswick Cycling Club – Won the under-11 gold medal championship at the recent Christmas Track Carnival in Shepparton. Heads into his first state titles and will compete in four events.
Omer Kirmizi, Brunswick Cycling Club – Won bronze last year in the individual pursuit in the under-15s. He is competing in four events.
Maximus Moore, Hawthorn Cycling Club – Will start as one of the favourites to take out most of the boys’ under-15 events. Last year, Moore won the time trial and finished second behind Lachlan Stewart in three other events. With no Stewart in under-15, the scene is set for Moore to claim crowns.
Nicola Morris, Brunswick Cycling Club – Didn’t win a medal at last year’s state titles in the under-15 girls but was good enough to make the Victorian state team for the national titles in Brisbane.
Maxx Nuspan, Bendigo and District Cycling Club – The under-17 comes into the state championships in form after winning bronze at the Australian Omnium championships in Adelaide last month. Nuspan will be looking for medal success after finishing sixth in the points race last year, his highest finish in an event at the titles.
Billie Russell, Brunswick Cycling Club – Was the star of last year’s state track titles, winning all four under-15 events she competed in. Russell won the time trial, the points race, the sprint and the individual pursuit. At the national titles she won the scratch. A rising star in the sport who now makes the rise to under-17s.
Lachlan Stewart, Alpine Cycling Club – A bottom-age rider in the under-17s who had a breakout year in 2023. The Alpine Cycling Club member won three titles at the national track titles in the keirin, the scratch and the points race and was a dominant force as well on the road, winning the road race and national title. He might be up an age group this year but Stewart is one to watch.
Charvi Tanksale, Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club – Claimed a bronze in the points race in the under-15 state titles last year. Tanksale will be a rider to watch as she competes in the same age group for another year.
Addison Torr, Bendigo and District Cycling Club – Won a bronze medal last year at the state track titles in the under-15 in the time trial. Was also part of the Victorian track team which competed at the national titles in Brisbane. Torr makes the move to under-17 this year and will be a bottom-age competitor.
Lavinia Ward, Blackburn Cycling Club – Had a great state track titles last year, finishing second in the under-15 points race, the individual pursuit, the flying 200m and the sprint. She only got beaten by Billie Russell at the event. This year Ward makes the rise to under-17s and will once again battle Russell.
Indianna Weir, Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club – Won last year’s gold medal championship at the Christmas Carnival in Shepparton and Bendigo. Will make her debut at the state track titles and will be one to watch in her three events entered.
Declan Zheng, Preston Cycling Club – Made his debut last year at the under-13 state titles and will compete again in the same age group. He will compete in four events.
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