Big race nerves persist
SHE is a multiple world champion, Paralympic medallist and the defending champion of the Oz Day 10km, but none of that is helping quell wheelchair racer Madison de Rozario’s nerves.
The Sydney racer has been competing on the world scene for 10 years after making her Paralympic debut at 14 in 2008.
But de Rozario says the only thing that has not improved over time are her nerves before major races.
She won the Oz Day 10km last year after wins in 2012 and 2013 but said even familiarity with the world-class annual event did not help
“I’m stressing already,’’ de Rozario said before the annual Australia Day race that attracts the world’s best wheelchair racers to the tough city course at The Rocks from 9am on January 26.
“I’m better once the race starts. But until then I get really nervous.’’
De Rozario goes into the 10km test off two strong 1500m wins, victories over the 800m and 5000m distances at a recent meet in Canberra and in the knowledge she already has her Commonwealth Games selection sewn up.
“It will be my first Commonwealth Games, so I’m really looking forward to that,’’ said de Rozario, who will race the 1500m and marathon on the Gold Coast.
Angie Ballard, one of de Rosario’s rivals for a hometown win at the Oz Day 10km, is still to secure her spot at the Games.
“I’m going for one of two spots left in the 1500m, so the 10km will be a bit of a stretch for me,’’ Ballard said.
Racers from 10 countries will be on the start line on Australia Day in the last internationally ranked wheelchair race before the Commonwealth Games. absence of injured co-captain Matt Scott (knee).
He took over the injuryravaged Cowboys’ captaincy in Round 15, leading them to an unlikely NRL grand final berth. But he will find it hard to crack the starting side this year after Test prop Scott’s return and the arrival of former Melbourne forward and Kangaroos World Cup find Jordan McLean.
Bolton said he would not be changing his mindset, even if he was relegated to the bench.
“I’ll still play the same role I did last year. If I feel I need to say something, then I will,” he said. “I’ve had the same mindset over the years whether I was coming off the bench or starting.
“Rugby League’s a funny sport. Injuries can happen.”
Bolton defied a sternum injury to average a career-best 123m and 28 tackles a match last season, starting in all 28 of North Queensland’s games.
North Queensland’s first pre-season trial is against Wests Tigers in Cairns on February 17. STILL reeling from Cooper Cronk’s departure, Queensland coach Kevin Walters says Michael Morgan is no lock for the vacant Maroons No.7 jersey in 2018. However, Walters hinted the North Queensland playmaker might yet emerge as Johnathan Thurston’s successor at five-eighth for the Maroons.
“This is the chance for someone to put their hand up,” he told the Former Origin Greats website. “I’ll be looking at Michael Morgan . . . but the spot is wide open. We have some good depth at halfback. Ben Hunt, Daly Cherry-Evans, Corey Norman, Ash Taylor and ‘Morgo’ are all in my sights for next season.”