Vic Park hosts best young cyclists

YOUNG cyclists took to the road last Saturday at Victoria Park as part of the Victorian Interschool Cycling Series Summer.

The event, hosted by Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club, involved riders aged 11 to 19 taking part in criterium racing.

Each rider represented their school.

Race coordinator Chris Liston said it was great to see the younger generation involved in cycling with about 130 entries in the competition.

“We are very well supported by the metro schools, the bigger schools in Melbourne, but we have a few local riders as well who get a go on their home circuit,” he said.

“It gets them outdoors, gets the blood pumping, and here its on a closed road, open circuit so it gets rid of the risk of traffic and builds comradery between kids.”

Solomon Collingwood from Ballarat Grammar represented his school in the junior competition.

“It’s fun to ride, it can be a bit of a challenge, and I just enjoy it,” he said.

Solomon encouraged other students to consider cycling.

“It might not be fun at the start, but it gets fun,” he said. “If you don’t like it at the start, it gets better.”

Liston echoed the same sentiment and said Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club will support young riders.

“Just come and have a go and we will help,” he said.