Agnoletto to tackle sunny coastal classic

JUST weeks after a gruelling racing schedule on European and Asian roads, Bendigo up and coming cycling star Blake Agnoletto is gearing up to chase success on the Sunshine Coast.

He will join his ARA Skip Capital team for the National Road Series five-stage Cycle Sunshine Coast event being run from 19 to 22 October.

On the tour’s third day it will be Agnoletto’s 21st Birthday.

Among the highs of his latest overseas stint was third place in the Tour of Binzhou in China, and ARA Skip Capital was the number one team.

In April, Agnoletto made his way to Milton in Canada where he was runner-up in the elite elimination at the UCI Track Nation Cup.

Meanwhile his European campaign included ninth placing in the Gullegem Koerse Pro Kirmesse in Belgium.

“It was a 162km race and rated as the biggest kirmesse in the world,” Agnoletto said.

There was also a start in Giro Next Gen, or baby Giro for under-23 cyclists in Italy.

Agnoletto also raced in The Netherlands and wound up a tough campaign in China.

“There were 15 race days in Europe, and 12 in China,” he said he said of the six-week campaign. “It was an incredible experience.

“A lot of the racing was one-day classics between 180 and 200 kilometres.

“There was not a lot of time for rest and recovery, but that’s helped a lot with building mental and physical toughness.”

After Cycle Sunshine Coast tour, it will be time to head to Adelaide for the final round of the Cervelo-backed Super Series which involves road racing and criteriums.

“Then it will be on to the Olympic track camp,” Agnoletto said of plans in South Australia from late November.

A goal is selection for World Cup rounds and possibly the Paris Olympics.

“I would be an outside chance to race in the Olympics but will be doing all I can to be in running,” Agnoletto said of making Australia’s team for France.

Teams pursuit would be his likely place, but there’s also the Madison and omnium.

“Being part of the Olympic track training is an amazing experience,” Agnoletto said.