Teen pedalling to bright future
‘‘It was memorable because I had just returned to cycling after five months not being on a road bike due to a broken arm that needed surgery.’’
A Cambridge cyclist has won the U17 Glass Cup at the Te Awamutu Handicap Club Race at just 14.
La’chlan Robertson said it had never happened before in the club’s history. And it was not his first win at the event.
He won the U15 Messenger Cup in 2014 and 2015 for the Te Awamutu Handicap Club Race.
‘‘I have been cycling competitively for five years on the road and three years on the track,’’ he said.
He got into cycling via the Triathlon Club in Christchurch where he was taught the basics of cycling and how to progress on the bike, which fuelled his love for the sport.
This is his first year as a member of the New Zealand Cycling Development squad for U17.
‘‘My goal for cycling is to attend Junior Worlds in the next few years and eventually be an elite member of the New Zealand Cycling Squad,’’ said Robertson.
He trains four times a week on track and road.
He said he wants to be the best and reach his full potential as a rider.
‘‘Cycling means freedom to me. I just can just get on my bike and ride, it clears my head and allows me to relax,’’ he said.
His next event is the North Island Secondary Schools Championships Road Race and Track Event.
Robertson attends Hamilton Boys’ High School as a year 11 but lives in Cambridge.
His inspiration is Sir Bradley Wiggans.
‘‘He is of similar height and body physique as me.
‘‘He has won one of the worlds toughest races, Tour De France in 2012,’’ he said.
Robertson’s most memorable win was the North Island Secondary Schools Championship Road Race in 2015.
‘‘I led the race for 42 kilometres and at one stage had a six minute lead. I won with a 1.32 minute lead,’’ he said.
‘‘It was memorable because I had just returned to cycling after five months not being on a road bike due to a broken arm that needed surgery.’’
He had fallen off a bridge while he was mountain biking.