The Santos-sponsored Centrals Junior Tour took place on the weekend of April 21-22.
Organised by Cycling SA, the Santos-Centrals Junior Tour is a shining example of Santos putting its energy into supporting youth and the community through the healthy sport of cycling.
Santos’ sponsorship of this cycling event complements its partnerships with the Santos Tour Down Under (Adelaide), Santos Great Bike Ride (Perth) and Santos North West Tour (NSW). Set in the picturesque Barossa Valley, the tour even featured a 3km ascent of the feared Mengler’s Hill as seen in the Santos Tour Down Under.
The Junior Tour has a proud history and a number of past competitors, including Alex and Annette Edmondson, Rohan Dennis, Leigh Howard, Alexis Rhodes and Jack Bobridge, have gone on to represent Australia at international events. Three of the recent competitors – Jessica Mundy, Robert-Jon McCarthy and Bradley Linfield – were selected to represent Australia at the 2011 UCI World Championships in Copenhagen and Youth Commonwealth Games.
This is the third year that Santos has supported the event, with our involvement helping improve safety and event management. The tour’s move from the Adelaide Hills to the Barossa was made in an effort to improve the safety of the riders by using the quieter roads in this area.
The weekend went off without a hitch. The organisation was flawless and there were no safety incidents and fortunately no rider accidents. Interstate participants were so impressed with the race that one rider suggested the Santos-Centrals Junior Tour could lay claim to being the “best junior tour in Australia”.
Ian Pedler Development Team Leader, EABU, made the presentations on behalf of Santos and was also a Commissaire for the event.
Callum Scotson defended his 2011 title, winning both stages on Day 2 to take the final Santos leader’s jersey in this year’s Under 17 Men’s General Classification. Under 17 GC placegetters were Matthew Holmes and Jack Hogan.
In the combined Under 17/15 Women’s category Alex Manly made it 4 stages out of 4 to also defend her 2011 crown with Under 15 rider Ashleigh Hocking 2nd on GC and winning the Under 15 Jersey. Danni McKinnery was 3rd.
Callum Scotson and Alex Manly each also took out the Santos King and Queen of the Mountain jersey's respectively.
The Under 15 Men’s division was won by James Higginson, with Riley Hart in 2nd and Che Thomas in 3rd. The two-stage tour for Under 13's was won by Lewis Walker narrowly over Lillian Kelly
Thanks to the Central Districts Cycling Club and their legion of volunteers for putting on such a great event and all the commissaires and other officials.
Filed under:
Community relations, Community wellbeing, Education/youth, Health, South Australia