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Power’s glory

Staff ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

A strong effort in which he was the main aggressor in the climbing sections of the under-19 National Road Championships in Noosa, Queensland, this month clinched the trip.

Power (18), who last year impressively won the Tour De Kalamunda, left for Europe last weekend as one of eight junior riders who will represent the local GDT-Flanders Racing Team in a number of big events. Other locals include Drew Popperwell, Jai Hindley, Jarrod Karel, Ashley Mackay, Callum Pietersen, Brendon Meney and Luke Vitler.

Four of the boys ” Brendon, Luke, Jai and Robert ” rode in Europe in 2011 to compete in the Assen Tour in Belgium and Holland and were extremely competitive.

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Robert finished fourth in the overall points classification.

Power, who won the A-Grade race on the second weekend of Midland Cycling Club’s Pickering Brook Race Series last month, only started cycling in 2007 and was part of the Midland Cycling Club development track program.

He raced in his first national championships at the age 14.

He has steadily built his road racing experience and skills ever since.

Dave Meney, manager of the GDT Flanders Racing Team, said Power had always been a highly motivated, determined and dedicated rider. adding that his selection to the Australian team was well deserved.

‘Robert was a relatively late starter to junior cycling, joining the Midland Cycle Club late in 2008 as a second year, under-15 rider on the velodrome,’ he said.

‘His talent wasn’t immediately noticable but his club coaches saw heaps of potential.’

When clubmates Meney and Vitler were selected to train with the WA Institute of Sport, Power was overlooked.

However, coach Gordon Hindley was quick to select him for the new GDT Racing Team.

Power has combined with team-mates Hindley, Meney, Vitler and Popperwell to take A- Grade road cycling to a new level in WA.

Meney said Power ‘came out of nowhere’ to win a stage in the Perth Criterium in January of last year and also the Tour de Kalamunda against the best riders in WA.

Meney said Power, the current Under-19 National Hill Climb Champion, would join his new Australian teammates to prepare for the Junior World Championships after his GDT-Flanders Racing Team commitments were completed next month.