Jack’s goal is to win

Cambridge is about to host the best road cyclists in all ages across the country.

They will compete for line honours and medals at the Grassroots Trust Age Group Road Cycling National Championships from May 5-7.

The event covers youth, junior, senior, masters and para riders, in time trial and road racing events.

Formally known as the Club Roads, the 2017 event format follows a revised three-day programme, featuring a time trial event and a road race.

The build up for nationals has provided confidence for 13-year-old Cambridge High School student Jack Carswell. He will be competing in the under 15 age group.

Showing tremendous form on the road, Jack along with Jaxson Russell, Matthew Davis and Blake Bai- ley made up the winning Cambridge team at the under 14 Secondary Schools Nationals last year.

Jack’s major competition at the coming Age Group Road Cycling National Championships is expected to be South Island rider Mitchell Fitzsimmons.

‘‘I haven’t raced against him but I understand tactically he is a very good rider,’’ said Jack.

Balancing home, school and cycling can be challenging especially when you are riding 250km to 350km a week.

‘‘Homework is done and completed before school, which gives time to train afterwards,’’ he said.

Jack is not phased by the expectations others have of him because his parents, Tim and Fiona, were both Olympic cyclists in 2000.

‘‘Others have those expectations because of mum and dad, but what matters is what you think you can do,’’ he said.