Doubleview teen James Ismail is hard in training for the Junior Road Cycling National Championships in Tasmania next month.
Camera IconDoubleview teen James Ismail is hard in training for the Junior Road Cycling National Championships in Tasmania next month. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Local sports star: Doubleview teen saddles up for National Cycling Championships

Kate LeaverStirling Times

DOUBLEVIEW 16-year-old James Ismail will represent WA in the Junior Road Cycling National Championships next month in the Under 17 Mens category.

The Shenton College student started cycling at 11 years old after competing in triathlons and has recently made the state team.

“Dad first got me into triathlons, I didn’t really like the running or the swimming part of it so I thought: I might as well start cycling,” James said.

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“Cycling is such an exhilarating feeling and I loved it as I started to get faster and go on longer rides.

“It is also a really great social environment being part of Veris Racing Development Squad.”

In preparation for the Nationals, James is putting in up to 30-35 hours of training six days a week but said cycling helped clear his mind and balance a heavy school workload.

James said he was excited for the Nationals in Tasmania from September 1 -3 and used any nervous energy to his advantage in his training sessions.

“There are nerves but when I’m going through a really hard training session I just think: this is really going to count in Tassie, and I push through,” he said.

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