Team Subaru NSWIS set for debut

After much hype and excitement the newly launched Team Subaru NSWIS will make a modest debut at the Blayney to Bathurst Cycle Sportif Challenge this Sunday in regional New South Wales.

Whilst low key, the event provides the squad with a perfect opportunity to find their feet ahead of their inauguralNational Road Series (NRS) appearance at the ‘Battle of the Border’ in Albury in May.

Head Coach of the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Cycling Program, and Managing Director for Team Subaru NSWIS, Bradley McGee, said it was an exciting time for the squad and was confident he and Directeur Sportif Ben Kersten could lead the team to an impressive debut.

“It’s quite a modest start for our new project, but we’re quite proud to be supporting a fantastic New South Wales event in the traditional cycling stronghold of the Central West,” McGee said.

“It’s a very exciting time for the boys. Ben and I can both appreciate where these young riders are, having been through it ourselves, and our job is to try and contain the excitement and keep things positive and use that energy and not allow it override them and detract from their performances.

“I hope that the riders find time to enjoy it, because at the end of the day it is a very enjoyable lifestyle and profession to go into.

“Following on from our team building sessions which were about coming together as a unit, our objectives for this race is to keep the riders together and supporting each other.

“Like all races there will be a time where individuals will be asked to do their thing and go for the win, but predominantly, for the large part of the day we’ll be focused on working as a team.”

Bathurst young gun Harrison Carter plus Mudgee duo Jordan Payne and Ayden Toovey will headline Team Subaru NSWIS at the Blayney to Bathurst, a race close to their hearts. It is an event in which Carter has impressed in the past, leading a bunch sprint for third in 2013.

“Jordan and Ayden have been down (in Bathurst) with Harrison for the last couple of weeks on an extended training block,” McGee said.

“So the boys are very much part of the local cycling scene and are looking forward to the race on Sunday.” 

The three Central West talents will be joined by NSWIS athletes Bradley Heffernan and Nathan Bradshaw – along with new recruit from the NSWIS talent pool, Sam Jenner. 

The team will compete at a further 16 events throughout the 2014 NRS and Regional racing season. The creation of Team Subaru NSWIS marks the first time the Institute will field a road cycling team in the NRS.

The Blayney to Bathurst Cycle Sportif Challenge is over 110km and starts at 8.30am on Sunday.