CSS riders from Left to Right: Emma Viotto, Ayla Rudgley, Alison Rice, Belinda Chamberlain, Lauren Thomas, Lauren Robards. Photos credited to Georgina Von Marburg.
Local Canberra businesses have banded together to fund a new Canberra road cycling development program that will provide support for Canberra-based road cyclists to reach the next level of competition.
Initially focusing on Canberra’s female cyclists, Team CCS has formed a new Canberra female cycling team which raced in its first competition last weekend (27-28 April).
The program – supported by CCS Group, Canberra Airport, McDonald’s, Pushy’s and Canberra Data Centres – was designed to create a pathway for Canberra cyclists from juniors through to international level.
The local sponsors will support the pathway program for at least the next five years and aim to put Canberra back on the road cycling map both nationally and internationally.
Belinda Chamberlain is using her vast experience to lead the team and said the new program was a game-changer for female cyclists in the capital.
“This is the support women in road cycling needed to get to the next level,” she said.
“Team CCS will not only provide us with the program, gear, bike and apparel but of course the consistent team companionship that will make this great sport even better.”
The five-women team achieved immediate success with their first race at the Canberra Junior & Women’s Tour held in Canberra last weekend, with a member of the team finishing on the podium on all four stages.
Chamberlain said that the support over the weekend helped the team push for success.
“We had amazing support from our sponsors and supporters over the weekend which aided in it being such a successful first tour for the team,” she said.
Director of CCS Group James Kilmartin said that Canberra road cycling has enough talent but didn’t seem to have enough support to keep it.
“I really admire and encourage any Canberran that wants to succeed at what they do. We need to support and keep our local talent to continue to build on the sporting success of the nation’s capital,” Mr Kilmartin said.
The program’s next step will be selecting the riders for the men’s NRS team and the male and female riders for the U19 and U23 teams later in 2018.
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