Cycling Australia Junior Road Championships 2017: Dubbo Cycle Club riders dominate with five medals at Devonport

Played out along the Bass Strait at Devonport in Tasmania, Dubbo riders had starred with five medals won across the first two days of the Championships and the stage was set for more success during Sunday’s criterium.

But intense wind, which led to tents and barricades being blown around, left officials with no choice but to abandon the final day of racing.

And NSW team chaperone and assistant manager Janette Eather, of Dubbo, had no doubt the weather halted more success.

“Definitely. Kurt (Eather) qualified fastest in the criterium and he was pretty determined to get that one,” she said.

“But they all had a chance.”

While there could have been even more joy, there was still plenty of reason for the Dubbo contingent of Kurt and Dylan Eather, Haylee Fuller, Luke Ensor and Danny Barber to cheer.

The New South Wales team collected six medals at the Championships and five of those were won by riders from Dubbo , further cementing the local club’s standing as the best develop of junior talent in the country.

Haylee Fuller was named Champion of Champions after winning back-to-back gold medals in the under 15s female time trial and road race events while Dylan Eather was named in the Championships’ best in the under 15s male after finishing first in his time trial and second in the road race.

Kurt Eather justified being labelled as favourite in the under 17s road race when he powered to the front to win gold in an outstanding sprint finish.

The stunning efforts in Devonport means Dubbo riders have now won 36 gold, 33 silver and 20 bronze medals at state and national events.

“These results are unparalleled in any club in Australia and shining the light of success on Dubbo as the training ground of cycling excellence in it’s current state,” Dubbo Cycle Club president Matthew Gilbert said.

Janette Eather, mother of Kurt and Dylan and also the NSW team chaperone and assistant manager, said the success has not gone unnoticed.

“All the other NSW people were saying ‘we’re moving to Dubbo’,” she laughed.

“We get that every week when we go away now.”

Fuller was one of the stars of the event, backing up Friday’s dominant 43-second win in the time trial with gold Saturdays tough road race.

“It was an awesome achievement,” Eather said of Fuller’s wins.

“It’s really hard to do as normally you specialise in one event. It’s not normally done, getting medals in two events.

“Not everyone can place themselves well in a road race but she did a fantastic job. It was an amazing effort.”

For Dylan Eather in the time trial was particularly sweet.

The young gun, one of the favourites every time his feet touch the pedals, had to settle for second at the state titles.

“That was like waving a red flag to a bull,” Janette Eather said.

“Because he doesn’t like to be beaten too often so he was really determined and put his heart and soul into it.”

One of the most thrilling races of the Championships was the under 17s male road race.

Kurt Eather went into the event with plenty of pressure on his shoulders but the pre-race favourite delivered and claimed gold after finishing first in a sprint finish.

“Kurt actually said it was good being favourite because he could position himself wherever he wanted,” his mother said.

“The other riders let the favourite in so they can follow them and get on their wheel so he got the best spot possible and they all fought behind him.

“But with about 200m to go he got boxed in a little … but once the pressure went on they started to drop off and he ended up in the right position.”

Barber collected two fifth-placed finishes in time trial and road race while Ensor, who did plenty of work up front during the road race, also enjoyed solid results and the pair had qualified for Sunday’s criterium final.

Zara Fuller also impressed in her first national event, competing as a club rider rather than part of the NSW team.

“We’re definitely proud of all the kids because we see how much work and dedication goes into it so it’s great to see these results,” Eather said.