Aussies dominate road cycling at Commonwealth Youth Games

THE Australian cyclists showed their class in the time trial events winning three of the six medals up for grabs when the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games began on Saturday in TT.

The cyclists had to battle mixed conditions on the day with the sun interrupted by heavy rain.

The Aussie pair of Lauren Bates and Keira Will claimed gold and silver respectively in the women’s time trial event at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Bates grabbed gold in a blistering time of 14 minutes, 09.31 seconds (14:09.31).

“I honestly learned how to push myself a little bit further. I dug deep and I had a lot of fun,” Bates told the media.

The gold medal winner said this is the experience of a lifetime. “It’s amazing, it’s insane. I am so stoked to come away with a medal and seeing all the nations here as well, it’s so cool learning all the cultures. It is such a good experience.”

Bates said she had “goosebumps” during the opening ceremony at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on Friday.

Will took the silver medal in 14:31.89.

Will said, “I like to think I am good at corners, but it is always how fast you go and today I really tried to push that a little bit and see how fast I could go around the corners.”

Ruby Oakes of Isle of Man also got on the podium snatching bronze in 14:43.91.

TT women’s cyclist Ashleigh Thomas ended in 17:54.80 to finish 15th in the field of 16 cyclists. Speaking about her experience, Thomas said, “I feel like I performed well today because there were challenges today. There was some wind and gravel. I am thankful l was able to race today. I had no mess-ups. I did not fall off my bike, no tumbles.”

Miles Liebenberg, 16, will be taking the gold medal back to South Africa after winning the men’s time trial in 19:17.62. It was an emotional scene following the announcement of the results as he was seen hugging his father. He was also seen talking on the phone immediately after that.

Speaking to the media, Liebenberg said, “I can’t really explain it. It has not sunk in yet, but it means a lot.”

He thanked his coach for his commitment and pushing him in training. “It has really hard training with my coach John Wakefield. He is an absolutely amazing coach and I thank him so much for everything he has done for me. He always loves hurting me, but it has paid off.”

Elliot Rowe of Scotland was second in a time of 19:21.01 and Will Heath became the third Australian to win a medal finishing third in 19:35.24.

TT had two representatives in the men’s race. Jadian Neaves and Justin Boynes finished 16th and 20th respectively among the 30 cyclists.

Neaves stopped the clock at 21:15.76 and Boynes broke the tape at 21:34.57.

The only disappointment on the day was the poor turnout of spectators as most people in attendance were officials and family members of the cyclists. Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe distributed the medals, along with Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louis Martin.

On Sunday, action will intensify with more sports. Beach volleyball will continue at Courland Beach Sports Arena, Black Rock, Tobago from 10 am and rugby will begin at Shaw Park at 9 am. Staying in Tobago, triathlon athletes will aim for medals in the sprint distance from 8.30 am at the Buccoo Beach Facility.

In Trinidad, swimming will take place at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva from 10 am-12.05 pm and then from 6 pm-7.12 pm.