NSWIS cyclists to compete against best in the world

NSWIS has today announced that it has taken out an International Cycling Union (UCI) licence for its men’s NRS team for the upcoming 2017 season. This will allow promising young riders from NSW and across Australia to race against the world’s best for the first time.

The team’s first UCI event will be the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Victoria between February 1-5. NSWIS riders will race against a world class field including double Tour de France winner Chris Froome, as well as Simon Gerrans and Esteban Chaves from Orica Scott.

Ben Kersten, NSWIS Head Endurance Coach, said: “NSWIS’s decision to take out the UCI license for 2017 is a monumental step for us. It enables our riders to compete at an international standard of racing otherwise not available for a domestic Team.

“UCI races are where riders learn how to really race their bikes, and also get noticed by pro teams. This is a key stem in riders turning pro and now our riders have a better chance of achieving this.”

This squad for the year will consist of a mixture of returning and new riders. The returning riders include newly crowned Australian under-23 road race champion Sam Jenner, team captain Stu Shaw, powerhouse Jake Kauffmann, and Cycling Australia National High Performance Athletes Nick Yallouris and Cam Scott. New riders joining the squad this year are; NSWIS scholarship athlete Dylan Sunderland, QLD under-23 talents Ryan Cavanagh and Daniel Fitter, experienced leaders Tom Robinson, Alex Smyth and Alex Wohler, and all-rounder Josh Taylor from NSW. The team is completed with development riders Alastair MacKellar and Elliott Schultz.

The NSWIS team competing in these world class line-ups is a key development in the team’s ambition of supporting athletes to progress into Cycling Australia and Professional Pathways.

The UCI license has been taken thanks to the support of the team’s sponsors; Liebherr, Subaru, Trek, MS Gong Ride, Shimano, Scody, Bont and Park Bikes.