Reef rides off to worlds

Reef Roberts competing in France, where he won the first two stages and took the overall title in...
Reef Roberts competing in France, where he won the first two stages and took the overall title in one race. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
After his first season in Europe, an Arrowtown 17-year-old competes in the under-19 division of the UCI road world champs in Zurich, Switzerland, next week.

Crown Terrace-based Reef Roberts — who claimed the U19 Oceania time trial title in Brisbane, Australia, in April — has been racing with the U19 Academy Region Sud Powered by Giant, in Marseille, France, and has won three stages and a first overall.

"Coming over to Europe, I didn’t really have much idea of what the level of the European juniors was compared to mine, but I was confident I was strong and had given myself the best opportunity to succeed," he says.

"The lead-in to the world champs is going well with the legs feeling really good in training, so that is a positive.

"The big focus is on the time trial, and I am hoping for a top-10, but would be stoked if I could pull off a top-3.

"On to the road race, it is a very hard course, with some very good competition, so I would be happy with a top-20."

Reef says conversations are going on about which team he’ll ride for in Europe next year.

 

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