IVAR HOPMAN It must have been Australia's worst nightmare as Tasmanian Amy Cure and Kiwi Ashleigh Neave claimed the top two places in last weekend's under-17 junior women's category of the Canberra Tour. Hawke's Bay Rambler Neave, sponsored by Pedal Power Taradale, competed as part of the national junior team in oneof Australia's premiere cycle tours. Racing was centred around the Canberra Cycling Complex at Mt Stromblo Recreation Park. The Sacred Heart College pupil, one of New Zealand's strongest under-17 female juniors, finished fourth in Saturday's first 38km stage. She made the split in a five-rider breakaway, taking more than 90sec off the peloton. The multiple-hill reps in her punishing training schedule paid off handsomely as she gathered enough points to sit in second spot for Queen of the Mountain. Saturday's second stage took place on Mt Stromblo's criterium track, a fast and technical course that stretched the Kiwi junior team to their limits. With the bunch finishing together there were no changes to the general classification. Australia's commitment to cycling is evident. The purpose-built park covers road race, crosscountry and downhill mountainbiking. During the 41km long third stage held on Sunday morning, Neave again made the split, finishing third as three of them broke away almost two minutes ahead of the bunch. This moved her up to third spot overall and she maintained her second place in QOM. The decider came on Sunday afternoon in the fourth and last stage, a 9.5km time-trial on an undulating out-and-back course with an uphill finish. History repeated itself as Neave finished third again but she gained enough time on her nearest rival to climb to second spot overall. Competing against top Aussie juniors, Neave's result bodes well for her international future. Havelock North's Sean Joyce competed in the junior under-19 grade. The Revolution Bikes cycle mechanic, a helper for the Kiwi team leader, a "no glory-just hard craft" job of controlling the bunch, fetching water and chasing down break-away riders. In Saturday's criterium Joyce finished in fifth place to show he'll be the one to watch.
