TEENAGE cyclist Andreas Nielson has only been in Australia for two weeks, but he’s keen to make his mark on the country’s oldest one-day race.
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Nielson will be one of 207 cyclists taking to the road at 8am today for the 99th edition of the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic, beginning an epic 273-kilometre journey from the National Equestrian Centre at Werribee Park.
The 18-year-old arrived from Denmark to kick off a six-month stay in Australia and has already tried his hand at one of the toughest National Road Series (NRS) events, the Tour of Tasmania.
“I didn’t finish, which was a shame. I wasn’t feeling well after the flight and it was tough over there with the weather,” he said.
Nielson met Warrnambool cyclist Matt Lane while racing in Europe earlier this year. The pair became friends and when Nielson said he was interested in coming to Australia, the Lanes offered him a place to stay at their Warrnambool home.
Nielson went about finding a spot on a domestic team and sent an email to the Sydney-based Cellarbrations Racing Team.
“I woke up the next morning with a message saying ‘give us a call’,” he said.
“I told them a bit about myself and they said they’d be happy to give me a go.”
The slightly-built Dane, who stands at 194 centimetres (six foot, three inches), said he enjoyed tough races with plenty of hill climbs.
“I like climbing, it’s my speciality. But I don’t like wind, especially crosswinds,” he said.
“I’ve been told though to expect some crosswinds on Saturday, which I’m not looking forward to.”
Nielson said he had been racing competitively since 2006, riding in races across Europe, both on the road and in the velodrome.
He said his preparations for the Melbourne to Warrnambool had been limited, but he was hopeful of putting in a strong performance.
“I just want to go out and fly the team colours strongly,” he said.
“We’ve been doing a few short rides with high intensity and some longer rides at a bit slower pace.
“It’s been good. I feel good after Tasmania and hopefully can finish the whole thing. I think anything past Camperdown will be tough. That’s what everyone seems to be saying.”
Nielson said he would remain in Australia until about April next year and compete in track racing over the summer.
“I’ll head back over to Tasmania for the summer carnival and do some races in other states as well,” he said.
“Then I hope to do a few of the early NRS races next year. I really enjoyed racing NRS in Tasmania. It’s very well organised and I like that the roads are closed. We don’t get that at home.”
jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au
