Cycling: Ward-Johnson leads school peloton

Charles Ward-Johnson (centre) displays his cycling prowess with Natasha Collins (left) and Joseph Welten.

Aquinas College student Charles Ward-Johnson is not yet old enough to drive, but that does not mean he cannot fly on New Zealand roads.

The 15-year-old finished second in the Under-19 division at the Bay of Plenty Coast n Country Cycle Challenge a little over a fortnight ago, knocking off the 100km distance in a time of 2:35.00.

Ward-Johnson, who clocks up about 300km on the road each week, is one of a number of promising cyclists developing under the watchful eyes of Grant Lyon, of Red Bike, and teacher Shem Banbury at Aquinas College.

Banbury, who leaves this week to compete in the M35-39 category at the World Duathlon Championships in Spain, said the schools cycling programme has grown to include about 25 road cyclists and mountain bikers in the past three years.

The group, along with some parents, departs the conveniently located school for a weekly ride after lessons on Thursdays. The nearby Joyce Rd and The Lakes provide good tests for cyclists of every ability.

"A lot of the kids, particularly the boys, really enjoy the ruggedness of the mountain biking, but you have a mix and a lot of them cross over," Banbury said.

"It's perfect, were not in the middle of town. It just makes it easier because we have it all here. We can leave at 3.30pm and its safe."

Joseph Welten is another flying the flag for the school.

The 13-year-old, who took up the sport in Year 5, has won the North Island under-15 cross country mountain biking championships and is looking ahead to next years nationals.

Not to be outdone, 15-year-old Paul Rogers coached Natasha Collins is also making every post a winner.

She won the second half of the Under-19 Bay of Plenty Coast 'n' Country Cycle Challenge and dreams of following in the footsteps of mentor Georgia Williams.

The Kiwi professional, who is racing as part of the Italian BePink team in Europe, passed on some tips when the two Facebook friends crossed paths at an event in Te Awamutu earlier this year.