WAGGA Cycling Club members are hopeful the countless hours spent learning the Wantabadgery course like the back of their hand will put them in good stead for this weekend's junior state road championships.
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A record contingent of around 25 will represent the club, with over 150 riders expected to compete in an event the club has worked feverishly to get up and running amidst coronavirus restrictions.
The individual and team time trials will take place on Saturday, as well as the under-nine and under-11 road races, with the under-13, under-15 and under-17s to do battle on Sunday.
Wagga Cycling Club spokesperson Cameron Oke said they're excited about the event, but there will also be relief once they pull it off.
The pandemic means access to the finish lines to watch the conclusion of events will be restricted, but there are plans to live stream races.
"There's a lot of tired volunteers and parents, but we want to put on the best possible show for the kids that come here to race.
"From a club side of things we've got about 25 riders in it which is just about the biggest contingent we've had in a Wagga event for years.
"When it's in our own backyard it gives our kids the chance to race against the best in the state. Whether they'll be state medallists or whether they come last, it gives them the chance to test themselves against the leading riders in NSW.
The whole reason we've spent so much time out at Wantabadgery this year is so when the kids get out there, it's not so daunting.
"Our club races are only about 30 kids and there'll be 150 on the weekend, but they know the road so that takes one less reason to stress off them."
Bethany Cattell, 14, will step up to the under-17 division this year and is looking forward to the challenge.
"Under-15s was hard enough and under-17s is going to be even harder. The gears also change and it's going to be a lot harder to start and things like that," she said.
"Racing at Wantabadgery I'll know when to really push it at the harder spots and when I can take it a bit easier, when the wind comes in and also when to finish.
"I don't want to get dropped in the first 10km of the race."
Lexie Phillips, 11, is looking to build on her strong record at state level.
"Hopefully my training has turned out pretty well and I'll get on the podium," he said.
"When I was in under-11s I got a gold in track, and in road I've got second a few times.
"It's good I've been training there (Wantabadgery), because one of the races is pretty hard."
STATE CHAMPS
From Jewnee Street, Wantabadgery
SATURDAY
9am: Individual time trial begins, followed by team time trial and under-nine and under-11 road races in afternoon.
SUNDAY
Road races (under-13, 15 and 17), beginning at 9am
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