Cycling Queensland

Two of Queensland's prominent coaches will be proudly representing their country over the coming months as Assistant Coaches for the Australian Cyclones Junior National Team.

Cycling Queensland Board Member Sara Carrigan OAM is excited to be looking after the women Under 19 riders headed by Donna Rae-Szalinski at the World Championships staged in The Netherlands starting in September.  Sara will be looking to share her own personal experiences in helping to educate the riders.

"In preparation for the championships, we will be spending a month racing in Belgium prior to the big event, which will allow the riders to get a taste of European racing, the atmosphere, the large bunches and to feel well-adjusted ready to perform at the World Champs. To add to this fantastic learning experience, some of the senior Australian girls will join the team and race with the juniors. I was given this same opportunity as a junior and it was invaluable to my learning experience and development as a rider, it will be fantastic!"

Sara will also be shortly inducted into the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame.  The Official induction will be held on Wednesday 22 August 2012.  This wonderful honour recognises Sara's achievements throughout her career highlighted by Olympic Gold in Athens back in 2004.

"Since being introduced to cycling on the Gold Coast at Somerset College and  spending many hours over the last 17 years riding on our local roads enjoying the scenery, soaking up our beautiful weather, speeding around the Nerang Velodrome and hurting myself through the numerous climbs of our amazing hinterland, throughout I have truly appreciated the support of my Gold Coast community," Sara explained.

Current Assistant coach at the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Head Coach of the  Nexgen Junior Athlete Foundation and 2009 CQ Coach of the Year Nick Formosa will accompany Sara.  Nick was the National U19 Males Assistant coach in 2011 and this year will continue the role under David Sanders. 

Nick has coached local Ipswich rider Michael Hepburn to Junior World Championship Pursuit Gold and a World Record in 2009, Jay McCarthy to Junior U19 Road Race Silver in 2010 and David Edwards to Bronze in the 2011 Junior ITT World Championships.

Nick will be responsible for the guidance of young riders Alex Morgan, Robert John MCCarthy, Caleb Ewan, Bradley Linfield as well as Sunshine Coast's Nicholas Schultz.  We will be very competitive in all races during the trip" he said. 

"The Junior World Championships is mainly about giving the boys some experience racing away from the normal domestic racing and comfort zone and this gives us a good idea if they have what it takes to continue further in the sport. It is not for everyone that is for sure as the demands of living away from your normal day to day living is very different and you are in different cultures, so adapting quickly is important," Nick explained.

The 2012 UCI Road World Championships run from the 15-23 September 2012.