Juniors

The Gold Coast Cycling Club is proud to offer one of the most successful and largest junior development programs in Australia. It’s a fabulous place for kids to get into the sport of cycling, and our junior members include those new to cycling through to state junior champions and record holders, and national level athletes.

Training

Under the guidance of our Club coaches, we regularly conduct various programs for our juniors which include basic skills, bike handling and general training, through to specific goal training programs.

Road training for U9s to U17s is conducted throughout the year, from 4-5:30pm at the Gold Coast Cycle Centre in Nerang, Tuesdays and Thursdays. From September through to December/January, track training is also conducted at the same facility, from 4-5pm for novice junior riders and 5-7pm for more experienced juniors, on a Thursday.

Venue

The Club is blessed to have access to the (council-run) Gold Coast Cycle Centre which includes an outdoor velodrome and dedicated cycling (criterium) circuit, free of all traffic. This provides juniors (and adults alike) with a safe environment in which to develop their riding.

All our junior training sessions are held by qualified coaches under the direction of our senior coaches, Malcolm Rae (Road) and Nick Hewes (Track).

Joining in

Newcomers are welcomed at any time accompanied by a parent and, after attending to some basic “duty of care” paperwork, can try out the sport on either their bike or one of the Club’s. The Club has a number of bikes to suit most junior riders which saves parents the cost of buying equipment before their child is committed to the sport. For all enquiries contact membership@goldcoastcyclingclub.com.au.

Membership

Please note that all participants in our junior development program must hold a valid AusCycling membership. See our membership page for specific details.

Registration for Training and Racing

Registration for training is done online via Buncheur and is a mandatory requirement.

Gearing Restrictions

In line with the AusCycling Technical Regulations, junior athletes must comply with gearing restrictions as follows: 

1.02.01 Gearing – roll out distances
For all junior categories, male and female, the following maximum roll out distances shall apply
for:
1. Junior U19 7.930 metres *
2. Junior U17 7.0 metres
3. Junior U15 6.0 metres
4. Junior U13 5.5 metres
5. Junior U11 and below 5.5 metres
*When competing in ‘U19 only’ road events

1.02.03 To restrict the rollout distance mentioned above, blocking off may be permitted by the
adjustment of the derailleur or other means. There shall be no blocking off of gears allowed at
U15, U17 or U19 Road National Championships. However, this may be permitted at non-National Championship events for U15 and U17 riders.

Many apps and websites exist to assist parents (and their junior athletes) in achieving this rollout compliance. Click here for one which is generally quite accurate. This is a guide only and it is important that gearing and tyre size combinations are tested before competition and roll-out checks are conducted. 

Equipment

Helmets must be standard compliant as per the AusCycling Technical Regulations:

1.03.05 All riders are required to wear a helmet meeting AS2063/NZ 2063 or equivalent. Helmets must have a
manufacturers mark stating its compliance with the Standard. Helmets may be inspected at any time
by a Commissaire.
The following are also accepted as an international equivalent to the Australian/New
Zealand Standard 2063:
● NSI Z90.4
● Snell “B” or “N” series
● ASTM F1447
● Canadian CAN/CSAD113.2M
● U.S. CPSC standard for bicycle helmets
● European CEN standard for bicycle helmets (EN1078)
Other international standards may be added from time to time however if not explicitly listed above or
in any supplementary regulations the helmet is not permitted for use.