Two Sunshine Coasters are emerging as Australia’s cycling stars of the future with one of the biggest teams in the sport.
Buderim’s Alastair MacKellar, 20, and Palmwoods’ Taj Jones, 22, are starting to make their presence felt on the national and international scene.
The former won the Australian under-23 road race and individual titles, while the latter has already competed in some of the biggest races on the globe.
Both of them have been living, training and racing in Europe, with a powerhouse team (Isreal Premier-Tech) that includes seven-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
MacKellar showcased his potential at the national championships at Buninyong in regional Victoria.
He defied the odds in the 139km road race, chasing down a breakaway group of six riders before leaving them in his wake.
The performance left many observers stunned, with renowned cycling broadcaster SBS labelling it a ‘herculean’ effort.
The victory was an important marker for the youngster.
“I’ve been dreaming of that for years and to finally get to do it is so surreal,” MacKellar said via an AusCycling media release.
“I’ve raced this course for a couple of years, and I got a bit worried when the break got out to three-plus minutes, but I knew it’s always the last one or two laps that split this race apart and I knew the legs were good.”
He then backed it to win the under-23 time trial, winning by 1min25sec. He raced around the 28.6km course at an average speed of 46.6km/h, stopping the clock at 36min49.28sec.
Israel Premier-Tech signed MacKellar as a development rider in late 2020, and he’s since impressed in Europe, including winning a second-tier race in Portugal.
“Being with this team has been a tremendous help to my career,” MacKellar said.
“Just the experience you get, the level you get from racing in Europe, you just can’t get that here (in Australia).
“What I’ve gained over the last two years from racing with Israel Premier-Tech, it’s probably the only reason I could’ve done this today.”
MacKellar’s determined to make the most of his time with the team, to sign a serious contract for years to come.
“I have one more year with them for now (and I’m) going to enjoy it,” he said.
“(I’m) heading over to Europe next week, ready to kick off the season.”
Meanwhile, Jones could be a well-known rider in the international peloton before too long.
The rapid finisher, who finished third in the Australian criterium championships last weekend, has already been earmarked as a genuine prospect by Israel Premier-Tech, after also signing with them in late 2020.
He has already competed in world tour races, including the famous Paris-Roubaix and Criterium du Dauphine. He will ride alongside Froome at the Tour Down Under in South Australia later this month.
MacKellar and Jones earned berths with Israel Premier-Tech after impressing for the Sunshine Coast’s Australian Cycling Academy team, which is now known as ARA Skip Capital.
The academy and its team were designed to help young riders progress to the next level through cycling and academics.
Brady Gilmore, one of ACA’s emerging riders, finished runner-up to MacKellar in the under-23 national championships, and the team had three riders in the top 13.
ARA Skip Capital team-members fared ultra well at the national championships.
team-member won the Australian under-23 women’s individual time trial title.
Isabelle Carnes, 18, surged to victory in her first attempt at the under-23 women’s individual time trial event, against established professional riders.
“I’m super excited,” she said.
“The biggest thing for me was just trying to get in with the elites and see where I fit in with the mix,” she said.
Sixteen-year-old Wil Homes sprinted to victory for the U19 Criterium to go with a bronze in the road race and silver in the time trial.
“I hope like any other young kid to get a pro contract and go over to Europe just have to wait and see.” Wil said.
Lucie Stewart made her mark by securing the women’s under-23 criterium title and a silver the time trial.
Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
