The world junior track cycling championships are about to start in Invercargill and Hayden Meikle talks to four local contenders.
Age: 18.
Home town: Dunedin.
What event are you in, and how do you think you will go?
Hopefully, the team pursuit and the omnium. I'm pretty confident of doing well.
What has your preparation been like?
It's been really good. I've been training hard since April.
What's been your greatest achievement in cycling?
Making the team for junior worlds.
Who did you most enjoy watching at the Olympics?
Simon van Velthooven.
Ultimate goal?
Making the Olympic Games in Rio. That's a definite goal.
Favourite food for an energy boost after training?
Lollies.
Age: 18.
Home town: Alexandra.
What event are you in, and how do you think you will go?
The points race. I won bronze last year, so I'm going all out for the big one this time. I want gold.
What has your preparation been like?
Great. We've done some really good racing in the United States, including some criteriums, and then we've been on the track.
What's been your greatest achievement in cycling?
Bronze in the junior worlds in Moscow last year.
Who did you most enjoy watching at the Olympics?
Didn't see much but we all enjoyed watching Simon van Velthooven in the keirin.
What's your ultimate goal?
I want to get to the Olympics. But we'll see where cycling takes me.
Favourite food for an energy boost after training?
A good muffin.
Age: 17.
Home town: Waimate.
What event are you in, and how do you think you will go?
Team pursuit, kilo, individual pursuit and madison. I'm aiming for gold, especially in the kilo and the madison.
What has your preparation been like?
Very good. We raced in the United States. Since then, it's just been about working on speed and power. I'm starting to fly.
What's been your greatest achievement in cycling?
I got two thirds at the junior worlds. And I was in the first under-19 pair to win the madison title at the elite nationals.
Who did you most enjoy watching at the Olympics?
It was great to watch Great Britain smash the world record in the team pursuit.
What's your ultimate goal?
A gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Favourite food for an energy boost after training?
Couscous and tuna.
Age: 17.
Home town: Alexandra.
What event are you in, and how do you think you will go?
We're told on Friday but I'm hoping team pursuit and points race. I think I've got a good chance in both.
What has your preparation been like?
It was really nice to get some sun in the US, and some good racing. We've had a really good camp ... in Invercargill.
What's been your greatest achievement in cycling?
Winning the national under-19 points race this year.
Who did you most enjoy watching at the Olympics?
The New Zealand men's team pursuit.
What's your ultimate goal?
I'd like to go pro on the road within the next few years.
Favourite food for an energy boost after training?
Pasta.
