This past weekend saw Track Cyclists from Palmerston North, Whanganui, Levin, Stratford, Hawkes Bay and Wellington travelling to New Plymouth to compete alongside the New Plymouth Trackies in the WCNI Track Cycling Championships.
With Mount Taranaki and the ocean sitting either side of the Veledrome the Taranaki Cycle Park is easily the most scenic Veledrome in the country, although with that kind of scenery comes the wind and the cyclists found themselves battling very strong head winds down the back straight as they raced. That being said there was plenty of very good racing to be seen. Of notable mention were Kelsi Eccles (Bike Manawatu) and Kyle Davie (Levin) who rode exceptionally well. These two riders (from a spectators point of view) have made the most noticeable improvement from last season.
These championships also result in a team being selected to compete in the Age Group Track Nationals held in Invercargill at the end of February and the WCNI Track team selectors were present and watching all of the cyclists in action, especially the Under 17 Boys. The WCNI region has a large number of Under 17 boys who are all riding very well this year and this is making selection of that age group difficult. The team will be announced this Wednesday or Thursday. Good luck to everyone.
The Naki Cycling Club put on a great weekend of sun (there were many sunburnt spectators and cyclists to prove it) and cycling. They even managed to put on a spectactular light festival for the out of towners as well.