National title win revives golden memories

Members of Toowoomba’s elite road cycling past remembered.

A Chronicle file image of former Toowoomba champion road cyclist Nathan O’Neill. Picture: Nev Madsen

CYCLING : This month’s Australian championship win by Declan Trezise has revived memories of Toowoomba’s proud cycling history.

Seventeen-year-old Trezise this year added his name to Toowoomba’s list of high achieving road cyclists with his victories in the National Championships Australia under-19 road race and criterium in Victoria.

Long-time Toowoomba cycling identity and former coach John Osborne hailed the emergence and success of Trezise as he recalled some of the city’s former cycling torch bearers.

“Toowoomba has been a significant contributor to Australia’s elite cycling ranks,” Osborne said.

“At its peak for a decade from around 1971, Toowoomba City Wheelers riders regularly made up 25 to 30% of Queensland’s track and road teams.”

Osborne sighted the efforts of Nathan O’Neill, Howard Webb, JT Trousdell, Billy de Maid, Bruce Mackie, Brian Page and Heather Brownlie as standout performers among a long list of former champion Toowoomba riders.

“It's hard to compare the efforts of each rider but Nathan O’Neill was outstanding,” Osborne said.

“His feats included an Australian individual time trial win, Commonwealth Games gold medal and 2000 Olympics selection.

“JT Trousdell won the first Queensland 125-mile road championship within months of Toowoomba City Amateur Wheelers forming in 1910 and for many years he scored point-to-point event wins in races like Toowoomba to Brisbane.

“Billie de Maid was outstanding during the 1970s with his successes including three Queensland junior road championships and the 1974 Australian under-age road championship.

“Howard Webb was the first Queenslander to win the Australian 125-mile championship and Bruce Mackie won several Australian championships and held all records from 500 metres to 40 kilometres.

“Brian Page was another elite performer and a prolific state and national medal winner.

“I now wish Declan all the best for the future.

“He’s the full box. A humble, respectful young athlete who has it all including a skilful coach in Darren Rolph guiding him.”