Junior world champ begins ‘long haul’ to elite success

Felicity Wilson-Haffenden’s successful junior career was capped with a world championship, but the Tassie teenager is taking a long term approach to senior success as she prepares to make her elite level debut for Australia.

Tasmanian cyclists Felicity Wilson-Haffenden and Josh Duffy are participating in a national track endurance camp at Launceston. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

She’s Tasmania’s cycling whiz kid on the fast track to success, but junior world champion Felicity Wilson-Haffenden says she’s still learning how to be patient for elite level glory.

The 18-year-old, who recently moved from Hobart to Launceston for training reasons, will represent her country at senior level for the first time in a Nations Cup event in Hong Kong next month.

The world junior time trial champion will next race at the national track championships at Brisbane early next month, and is part of a national squad training camp currently in Launceston.

A superb 2023, where she also claimed dual Road Nationals gold at junior level, means she’s earmarked for bigger things.

But the likes of Tasmanian star Nicole Frain have urged her to reset and bide her time as she moves into the senior ranks after signing a contract with American team Lidl-Trek.

“It’s a recurring thing I’ve been told of late, to slow down and be patient,” Wilson-Haffenden said.

“I’m lucky to have riders like Nicole and Georgia Baker, and Matt Gilmore and Belinda Goss at the TIS (Tasmanian Insitute of Sport).

“They’ve all done it and seen the same thing, that I’m in a rush and I realise patience is a virtue I have to learn.

“Last year was huge and I achieved a lot, but it’s a big step up this year. We’ve taken a slow summer to reshape and build the goals for the future.

“I’m aiming for a long career and almost going back to square one, seeing where I fit and where I need to go.”

National head track endurance coach Tim Deckers said Wilson-Haffenden’s strong success in juniors should spur her on to find her feet at the elite level.

“She’s a young athlete in a rush and you see that with a lot of young athletes, they want it all tomorrow,” he said.

“I’ve seen this time and time again. They get a taste of success young, then you’ve got to get ready for the longer haul to get to a higher level.

“She’s had great success as a junior, but now it’s we’re in for the long haul and hopefully she’s around for a long time.

“She has a good engine, but what’s impressed me has been her determination and character of not giving in.

“You can see it in her training there’s a real tough character in there that’s determined to be successful. Talent takes you so far, and the mindset takes you to the next level.”

Wilson-Haffenden’s initial success has been on the road, but she said she’s also keen to chase track success in the individual pursuit.

“For me it (track nationals) is more so finding where I am in the Australian field,” she said.

“The individual pursuit is an event I’m keen to get stuck into. I’ll aim for a podium, but I’m keen to see what level I’m at and where I need to get to.”

Launceston product Josh Duffy is also participating in the training camp at the Silverdome.

After a tough few months where illness interrupted his goals, Duffy will return to the Australia team for Hong Kong after missing out on the Nations Cup event in Adelaide.

“Hopefully it’s the first step towards the Olympics,” he said.

“It’s been a goal of mine for a long time, and I’ve had quite a rough few months. I missed out on Adelaide Nations Cup, so it’s a pretty important step for me to prove myself in that team.

“It was just the flu to start with, that never got better for a long time. You lose fitness and it’s a journey back, but I think I’m back there now.”