By Jim Mynard
THE new human powered vehicle (HPV) and criterium track at Casey Fields, Cranbourne has attracted a record number of competitors to the Victorian Schools Cycling Championships (VSCC) qualifying races.
More than 200 competitors turned up to the Southern Metropolitan Zone Qualifier for the VSCC on Friday, 11 August.
The M17 novice event had such a large field of entries that organisers were forced to hold two heats, with the final later in the day.
Races varied in distance depending upon the age of the riders, with the U13s over 8.8 kilometres, while the U19s raced over 24.2 kilometres.
Busloads of students came from as far as the Mornington Peninsular, the bayside suburbs Brighton, Sandringham and Mentone, as well as some of the southeastern suburbs, including Whitefriars College Doncaster.
Local schools were strongly represented and made up more than half the participants.
Qualifiers will go on to the State Championships at Carlton on Saturday, 14 October.
Beaconsfield Primary School was strongly represented and had four riders qualify for the finals.
Beaconsfield won the Top Primary School award as in the VSCC last year and is keen to defend the title this year.
Many former Beaconsfield Primary School students are now racing in the secondary schools divisions, and several won through to the State final for their schools.
Berwick Secondary College again had strong cycling performances, with several students winning a place in the finals.
One notable performance was the huge margin by which Tom Livesay won his event.
Beaconhills College students made their presence felt, with several students riding and performing well and will have riders at the State finals.
St Margaret’s School also has several members in the State finals.