Junior racing - The stars of the future

[Njbb1995]

Keegan Girdlestone, Lives in New Zealand, He is 16 years old, Already this year he has placed 3rd in the Tour of Adelaide, and he won the best young rider. The Tour of Adelaide is an NRS race so its not a bad effort!

 

[Ruudz0r]

Keegan Girdlestone, Lives in New Zealand, He is 16 years old, Already this year he has placed 3rd in the Tour of Adelaide, and he won the best young rider. The Tour of Adelaide is an NRS race so its not a bad effort!

Yes he seems like a very big talent indeed, have to say I didnt know him but looked him up. He showed some impressive things and 3rd in the Tour of Adelaide is really sick for a 16 year old!

 

[RedheadDane]

I have a bit of a question.

Is it true that what we usually refer to as Juniors is the U19 class, and that there's also a U17 class?
If that's right, then Keegan Girdlestone isn't even a Junior yet!

 

[Bushman]

Yes that is right. But I believe that the best u17 guys usually participate in junior (u19) races.

 

[Njbb1995]

Here is a link to an article writen recently about him joining being signed to a NRS team. http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/news/53854/Sweet-sixteen-for-Keagan-Girdlestone

 

[Wallenquist]

I have a bit of a question.

Is it true that what we usually refer to as Juniors is the U19 class, and that there's also a U17 class?
If that's right, then Keegan Girdlestone isn't even a Junior yet!

U17 is Novices category but Girdlestone is from 1997 so he's first year junior. And no, novices do not usually start with u19 guys unless it's open race for every amateur.

 

[Bushman]

I thought it was quite normal that the best u17 were 'invited' to some junior races? But maybe that is just me.

 

[Ruudz0r]

I thought it was quite normal that the best u17 were 'invited' to some junior races? But maybe that is just me.

I think its just you, in official junior races the U17 category riders are not allowed.

and @RedheadDane he is indeed 16 but he turns 17 this year so a first year junior will always start the year at 16 and turn 17. And a 2nd year junior will always start the year at age 17 and finish it at 18.

So U23 will start for riders when they are 18 years old etc.

 

[Bushman]

I think its just you, in official junior races the U17 category riders are not allowed.

and @RedheadDane he is indeed 16 but he turns 17 this year so a first year junior will always start the year at 16 and turn 17. And a 2nd year junior will always start the year at age 17 and finish it at 18.

So U23 will start for riders when they are 18 years old etc.

Okay, I believe in what you say. But maybe we have slightly different rules in Denmark, because Casper Pedersen participated in the u19 nationals when he was u17.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Okay, I believe in what you say. But maybe we have slightly different rules in Denmark, because Casper Pedersen participated in the u19 nationals when he was u17.

Think that depends on the national "bond". But it can also be that the U17 and U19 races where just the same race, and in the end there was an U17 winner and an U19 winner. In the bigger U19 races only U19s are allowed to ride. In national races it can be different like I mentioned earlier Adrien Costa has already won races where U23 and elite guys were riding.

 

[RedheadDane]

and @RedheadDane he is indeed 16 but he turns 17 this year so a first year junior will always start the year at 16 and turn 17. And a 2nd year junior will always start the year at age 17 and finish it at 18.

I guess I kinda figured that. Basically a rider whose birthday is in December will be 16 for (almost) his entire first year as a Junior.

 

[Wallenquist]

Gianni Wytinck from Avia Crabbe which is probably the strongest junior team in Beglium have won the 16th edition of GP Bati Metallo. Wunderkid Dutchman Pascal Eenkhoorn from 1997 was third.

My short review: http://cyclingu19.blogspot.com/2014/04/grand-prix-bati-metallo-2014-race-report.html

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Lennard Kämna won today's mini MTF in Motovun at the Tour of Istria in big style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OUnEIimDAc

France's Paret-Peintre keeps the GC lead.

 

[Wallenquist]

Last stage finished in a bunch sprint with nasty crash 200m from the line. Enzo Wouters have won (3rd in Roubaix this year). Final GC for Aurelien Peret Peintre (winner of Giro di Basilicata 2013). Youth jersey goes to Erland Blikra (youth olympic champion from 2013). No Danes in top 10! Pretty unusual for junior events

 

[Wallenquist]

Ive added summary of a few junior races from this season and also first edition of my ranking for top 10 juniors in 2014. You can read about it on my blog: http://cyclingu19.blogspot.com/


My top ten so far this season:

1. Peret Peintre
2. Bak Klaris
3. Shaw
4. Cornelisse
5. Kamna
6. Van den Berg
7. Decraene
8. Palm
9. Wouters
10. Nicolas

What's yours ?

 

[janraaskalt]

It's a subjective ranking based on results? Or do you assign points to each race?

Although he hasn't raced in Europe or against competitors of his own age, Adrien Costa should belong to the best 10 juniors. It is impossible to measure, however.

 

[Gloin22]

Ive added summary of a few junior races from this season and also first edition of my ranking for top 10 juniors in 2014. You can read about it on my blog: http://cyclingu19.blogspot.com/


My top ten so far this season:

1. Peret Peintre
2. Bak Klaris
3. Shaw
4. Cornelisse
5. Kamna
6. Van den Berg
7. Decraene
8. Palm
9. Wouters
10. Nicolas

What's yours ?

Nice. Tbf I dont really follow Junior racing as it's not great indicator of what these riders will become, more so U23, but Decraene looks like a big hope for Belgium in future years in the ITT's.

 

[Wallenquist]

It's a subjective ranking based on results? Or do you assign points to each race?

Although he hasn't raced in Europe or against competitors of his own age, Adrien Costa should belong to the best 10 juniors. It is impossible to measure, however.

Totally subjective. Like i have written on my blog, with points it would give big advanatge for riders who ride more often. Also i cant give points for amateur races because there are so many in Belgium and France compared to Denmark or GB that it would totally ruin the ranking.

I'm aware of Costa results but so far he didn't ride against any top level juniors. Impossible to compare. Senne Leysen have won four races so far this year but it's similar case to Costa so he's out of ranking for now.

 

[Wallenquist]

Nice. Tbf I dont really follow Junior racing as it's not great indicator of what these riders will become, more so U23, but Decraene looks like a big hope for Belgium in future years in the ITT's.

Depends sometimes they're gone once they join elite but guys like Cancellara, Ulissi, Kelderman, Sagan, Kwiatkowski or Jungels (especially the last one) were already great in their junior days.

 

[Ruudz0r]

It's a subjective ranking based on results? Or do you assign points to each race?

Although he hasn't raced in Europe or against competitors of his own age, Adrien Costa should belong to the best 10 juniors. It is impossible to measure, however.

Costa was an absolute boss last week in the Tour of the Gila Cat 1-2 won 3 stages + the overall.


I think Casper Pedersen should be in the top 10 aswell. I don't rate the race in Poland from last week very high. I didnt really like the field, there were of course a few good riders, but in general the field was not so strong.

 

[Wallenquist]

Casper Pedersen doesn't have any wins on international level this year, that's why he's off the list. Let's see what he can do later this season.

Tommorow Course de la Paix starts, one of the hardest and most important stage races for juniors, you can find my preview for the race on my blog: http://cyclingu19.blogspot.com/

 

[Wallenquist]

Course de la Paix have started. Today's stage ended with a sprint from a group of 70 riders.

Top 5:

1. Gianmarco Begnoni (Italy) 2:32:29
2. Erlend Blikra (Norway)
3. Magnus Bak Klaris (Denmark)
4. Christian Koch (Germany)
5. Mitchell Cornelisse (Netherlands)


Nice ride by Blikra and surprising win Begnoni since Italians rarely wins in junior category outside their country. Tommorow TT and hilly stage.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Blikra is indeed doing very well so far this year! Impressive stuff. Another first year who did well again is Russian Rostovcev.

 

[maltiv]

Blikra is indeed doing very well so far this year! Impressive stuff. Another first year who did well again is Russian Rostovcev.

Blikra impressed again today, first a decent 7th in the morning time trial, then he won the afternoon stage in a bunch sprint.

 

[Wallenquist]

Magnus Bak Klaris have won Course de la Paix thanks to finishing second and getting 6 seconds bonus on the last stage. Rayane Bouhanni, younger brother of Nacer, finished second in GC. Will Barta from USA was third.

Last stage won Polish rider Patryk Sowiński

Youn can read more about the race on my blog: Under 19 Zone