JUNIOR members of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club have returned from the South Australian Road and Time Trials at Mypolonga with some impressive results.
Freya Miller rode well to claim second position in the Under 13 Female race over 16.6km, while Jamison Buckley rode gallantly to finish fourth in the Under 15 Male race over 38.4km.
The pair also participated in the Time Trial Championships held the following day, joined by Molly Opperman.
Buckley finished his 9.5km race in third place, while Miller completed her 9.5km time trial in second.
Opperman was fastest of all Under 11 riders for her 4km time trial.
Coming off recent success in the Victorian Junior Cycling Tour, Miller fronted a combined Under13 boys and girls field to compete in the championships.
The road race proved tough, with a windy, hilly and technical course.
Miller lost time early on, eventually taking silver behind her rival and friend Issy Cranage from the Norwood Cycling Club.
The Time Trial the following day presented perfect weather conditions for all riders and Miller finished 25 seconds behind Cranage.
For Buckley it was his first State Road Championships and an opportunity to compete against riders of his own age from around the state, along with others from the state cycling team.
With a plan to compete to gain valuable experience, but still a gritty determination to give all he had, Buckley threw everything into the two-day event.
With the aid of many road kilometres in his legs and some valuable pointers from his mentor and coach Rob Mann, he rode well and finished a gallant fourth in the road race.
Steeling himself for the time trials the next day, Buckley knew leaving anything in the tank was not an option if he was to finish well.
With this in mind he launched into the time trial, pushing hard against quality opposition and was rewarded with a podium finish.
Opperman only completed in the 4km time trial due to dance commitments on the Saturday in Adelaide.
With no wind, she set off first being the only Under 11 girl.
The event gave her the opportunity to ride against the boys and compare times.
The official result was 7minutes, 26 seconds, approximately 40 seconds quicker than the fastest boy.
