Felicity Wilson-Haffenden has confirmed her status as a rising star of Australian cycling, obliterating the Junior Women’s Individual Time Trial field by nearly two minutes at Federation University’s Mount Helen Campus in Ballarat.
The 17-year-old was all business as the last junior woman to roll down the start ramp for the 18.8km course, recording a time of 26 minutes and 41 seconds at an average speed of 42.26km/h.
It is the Team BridgeLane rider’s second national championship in 48 hours, after winning the road race in a sprint finish on Saturday.
The 2023 Junior Women’s Individual Time Trial National Championship podium. Picture: ZW Photography/Zac Williams
The Tasmanian’s winning margin to ARA Skip Capital’s silver medallist Lauren Bates was one minute and 51 seconds.
Wilson-Haffenden’s Team BridgeLane teammate Talia Appleton collected her second bronze medal of the week, finishing two minutes and six seconds behind the new national champion.
SHE SAID IT
“I came into this RoadNats trying to be competitive, improve on last year, but to come away with two golds and a silver, I can’t believe it. And for the team, it’s a testament to the support they’ve given me. We’ve been together for one week; it’s looking pretty good for the team, I reckon,” Wilson-Haffenden said.
“I don’t think we could’ve imagined much better [for the team], for both of us to get two medals [ie Felicity and Talia]; Nicole rode so well in her first year of under-19s; the future’s looking pretty good for us.”
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden and elite teammate Emily Watts soak in the moment after the Junior Women’s Individual Time Trial. Picture: ZW Photography/Zac Williams
(Should the rest of cycling be scared of BridgeLane?): “Yeah, why not? We’ve been together for one week and look at what we’ve achieved, the under-23s and elites, as well. We’re here to make our mark, we’re here to be in the races, and people should be keeping their eyes out.”
(RR versus TT) “The road race is so unpredictable. I was nervous for that, but you get to build into it. I think I was nearly sick before this race. It’s only you and the clock, if you mess it up, you mess it up, it’s all on you. So, to come away with the win it feels just as good.”
