WAGGA Cycling Club spokesman Cameron Oke says the low numbers at the weekend's NSW State Championship in Dubbo only accentuates the urgency for Wagga's new multipurpose cycling centre to be constructed as soon as possible.
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Construction of the $9.2 million facility, which will include mountain bike paths, a BMX track, a new velodrome and a cycling education centre, was scheduled to begin in November and be completed by May, 2021.
But after rejecting tenders due to budgetary constraints, council now plans to begin construction some time in the first half of this year.
Wagga cyclists continue to punch above their weight, with Carrington Oke claiming gold in under-11 time trial and scratch races at last week's state championships in Dubbo, while Lexie Phillips claimed bronze in the same events in the under-13s.
Oke said Dubbo's new facilities are first class and illustrated the need for Wagga to follow suit as quickly as possible with the planned centre at Pomingalarna Reserve, or continue to miss out on big events.
"It (cycling centre) delays is unfortunate because the cycling community is ready for it, there's so many people talking about it and it's incredibly heartbreaking to see it's been stalled," he said.
"If you look at the junior state carnival Dubbo's new facilities are just incredible, Tamworth has enjoyed a massive influx of riders since they got there's and Bathurst had similar 12 months ago.
"It's really time for cycling to get back on the map. The numbers at the state carnival were probably the smallest in over 20 years, and that's also to do with Cycling NSW having to start assisting regional areas instead of driving everything to the city.
"The longer it takes, we're going to keep missing out on events. Bathurst had a world cup BMX event on the weekend and 4000 people turned up."
Oke said they were "coming in blind" before the state championships on Carrington's chances, given the lack of junior races on offer.
"We went up there with the expectation that we hope she gets a medal, but sometimes you don't know what they're up against because there's not a lot of junior racing and times you can go off," he said.
"The sprint derby was unable to be held, Lexie was shooting for a top two there but it's been postponed with a date to be confirmed."
Carrington joked she defied her dad's order to lead all the way in the scratch race.
"I normally do that in a lot of races. Lexie and I always work together and take turns going in front when we get tired," she said.
"Everyone was looking for my wheel to catch on and I had to concentrate on who was going around me."
Phillips said she's focused on "trying to get a state championship gold medal" next year.
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