CYCLING
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Illawarra cyclists will be in the hunt for medals when the Australian Masters Road Cycling Championships continue at Marulan today.
The gruelling 22km time trial was held at Breadalbane yesterday with criterium racing to be held at the Marulan driver training circuit today ahead of tomorrow’s 127km road race at Gunning.
Illawarra Cycle club official Karen Thornton said some of the club’s top riders will be right in contention for podium finishes.
‘‘We’ve got some pretty classy riders,’’ Thornton said.
‘‘Danny Hennessy and Mark Jewell both ride road and track but they’ve proven themselves at state and national level at the past.
‘‘Mark has been training particularly hard so he’s probably our best chance.
‘‘Danny’s a former track world champion at masters level and he’s a regular competitor overseas.’’
Criterium specialist Kirsten Bennett is also expected to feature heavily in today’s racing at Marulan.
‘‘Kirsten Bennett is riding the women’s masters four criterium. She won silver at the state championships a month ago so she’ll be up there,’’ Thornton said.
The 24-strong Illawarra contingent are expected to be particularly strong in tomorrow’s road race given the club’s focus on road racing during the season.
‘‘We don’t actually have criterium a lot during the year, we mostly have a road race circuit out at Dapto,’’ Thornton said.
‘‘It’s difficult to get permits and we’re one of the few clubs that are actually having road racing every weekend throughout the year.
‘‘Having so many Illawarra riders in the race they’ll all work together so they’ll form a pretty dynamic force,’’ Thornton said.