Zakk’s enjoying his road to cycling star
FRIENDS, fitness and fun.
Zakk Patterson’s cycling motivation remains a neat package despite a burgeoning trophy collection and the promise of more to come.
The 14-year-old Mudgeeraba student takes aim at the Gold Coast’s Queensland State Road Titles next week, bringing with him the ultimate formline.
At January’s Queensland State Track Championships, Patterson scorched his way to five gold medals and two records.
There was more to come. In February he claimed four golds from as many events at the National Track Championships in Sydney to underline his class in the sport he adopted as a five-year-old.
Yet his mantra remains a pressure-free one, ensuring Patterson’s focus is on why he began riding in the first place.
“You have to keep it fun and not too serious at a young age,” he said.
“It’s about going out and having fun with some mates.
“I’ve been told to enjoy while you’re young because it’s a lot more serious when you’re older and a lot harder.
“In the next few years you have to step up but I’m just enjoying it for now.”
A year after first setting foot in a gym, Patterson has slowly
developed his leg strength and now aims to use that recalibrated power at the state titles as well as September’s nationals in Tasmania.
“It’s going to be tough but I’ll give it my best shot and see,” he said of the Queensland competition in a fortnight.
“It’s all going well at the moment (but) there’s a lot of hard work and planning, making sure we train at the right times and in the right way.”
Patterson has been nominated in the local Sports Star awards in the “junior individual athlete” category.
To nominate for the categories of junior sports star (individual), junior sports star (team), young sporting spirit (individual), young sporting spirit (team) or service to sport, go to goldcoastbulletin.com.au.