Greenwith cyclist Damien Howson set for Tour Down Under after winning national under-23 time trial

NEWLY crowned national under-23 time trial champion Damien Howson hopes to make a name for himself at next week's Tour Down Under.

WHILE many of us made New Year's resolutions such as giving up chocolate or dropping a few kilograms, Greenwith cycling star Damien Howson was setting bigger goals.

Regarded as one of the world's best emerging road cycling talents, Howson will use 2013 to make a name for himself at next week's Tour Down Under (TDU), before aiming to win the world under-23 time trial championship and gain a pro-cycling contract.

Lofty ambitions for a guy who was a basketballer until about six years ago, when he underwent SA Sports Institute talent testing and was advised to take up cycling.

Regular defeats in age group races followed over the next few years, but gradually the results have come.

"I did some testing through basketball and SASI told me I should take up cycling," Howson said.

"I had no idea about cycling but I got into the sport and I started enjoying it.

"My race results weren't good for a long time - it wasn't until the under-19 age group that I started to have some success."

Winning proved addictive for the 20-year-old who will ride for the amateur UniSA team at next week's TDU buoyed by a brilliant start to the year at the national road cycling championships in Ballarat.

Howson won the national under-23 time trial before placing second in the under-23 road race.

He says he is excited to contest the TDU in his home city, including stages through the northeast next Tuesday and Friday.

He will use the efforts of emerging northern suburbs riders Jack Bobridge and Rohan Dennis at past tours as inspiration.

Dennis and Borbidge both got into breakaways while riding for UniSA at recent TDU's and both now have pro contracts with European teams.

"I'm really psyched to race in the TDU in my home town," Howson said.

"I know all the roads and my family and friends will have a chance to watch me race in an international peloton against the very best in the world.

"Hopefully I can get my name out there...hopefully there will be chances to get off the front."

A talented climber and time trialler, Howson will aim to better his third-placed finish in the 2012 world under-23 time trial when he contests this year's event in Florence, Italy, in September.

For more news on the north-east, pick up a copy of the Leader Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.