Ashhurst teen bound for the Bahamas

An Ashhurst teen is booked for the Bahamas, to compete against the best young cyclists in the world.

Dylan Simpson, 16, says he’s excited to be headed to the Caribbean for the Youth Commonwealth Games in July, and is doing his best to prepare for the high temperatures.

‘‘I’m sort of used to Palmy weather, but I’m expecting 31 degrees and humid, and the indoor velodrome is hotter.

‘‘We’re going to do some indoor sessions with the heat on.’’

He has been cycling since he was in primary school, when he followed his older brother’s lead into the sport.

‘‘I’ll be doing a time trial - nine kilometres, and road race - 65km. The distances are a bit shorter than usual, which will mean the racing’s harder and faster, which I’m looking forward to.

‘‘It’ll be my first international race outside Australasia. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the different types of riders from around the place ride.’’

Selection for the games was made based on times at past events.

Last year, Simpson won gold in the u17 boys’ Scratch Race and was part of the West Coast North Island u17 pursuit team that placed second at the age group Track National Championships.

At the age group Road National Championships, he took the u17 gold, and was part of the winning u20 boys’ time trial team at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Road Cycling Championships.

He also won the 2016 West Coast North Island Championships u17 road race and individual time trial, and in May this year claimed bronze at the u19 boys’ age group Road National Championships.

‘‘The last year’s been pretty good, better than expected,’’ he said.

Racing gives him something to focus on, and work toward.

‘‘On a descent, you can get to speeds anywhere from 80 to 85km an hour. It’s exciting.

‘‘I just enjoy how hard it is and knowing that everyone else is hurting and how much reward you get out of working hard.’’