WA Juniors Set to Take on the World

Western Australian Institute of Sport cyclists Tahlay Christie and Jade Haines have been named in Cycling Australia’s 13-strong squad for the 2016 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Switzerland.

The selection caps off a successful month for the duo – who starred at the Australian Track National Championships in Adelaide earlier in February – with both winning multiple medals.

The Championships – which run from July 20-24 in Aigle – will be 17 year-old Christie’s second consecutive appearance at Junior World Championships level, whilst for Haines at 16 years of age, this year’s titles will represent her first foray into international competition.

Christie won three national U19 titles in Adelaide, claiming the 500m time trial as well as the sprint and keirin double as she dominated the sprint events.

Haines, competing at U19 level for the first time, impressed by claiming titles in the scratch race and individual time trial and will have the opportunity to experience racing at the elite junior level, despite being a first year U19.

Australia produced an impressive campaign at the 2015 championships in Astana, Kazakhstan with the team coming away with 12 medals, the most of any of nation. The medal haul included; four gold, five silver and three bronze.