Aussie champ wows Geelong’s next generation
GEELONG Cycling Club invited 2015 Australian national road race champion Heinrich Haussler to meet its junior riders yesterday.
Haussler — who races for IAM Cycling, finished 10th in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and has two grand tour stages under his saddle, including one at the 2009 Tour de France — went for a short ride around the Belmont criterium before chatting with the youngsters.
He said he was happy to speak with the next generation of cycling champions.
“This is the first time I’ve met with club junior riders,” he said.
“I’m not much of a talker, so I hope they have a few questions.”
GCC junior coach James Blight said he thought getting the junior riders to ask questions was not going to be a problem.
“It’s fantastic to have such a great rider here as he is doing what the juniors potentially want to do with their riding,” he said.
“It’s really good for them to pick up little bits and pieces from him.”
Blight admitted it was a thrill for the coaches, and the parents as well.
Junior rider Ally Stenos said it was exciting to meet Haussler.
The 11-year-old shyly admitted she wanted his advice on how to improve her cycling.
“I’d like to ask him how to ride faster,” she said.