US experience for young city cyclist | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

US experience for young city cyclist

Promising young Christchurch road cyclist Lauren Webb is one of six Kiwi riders going to the United States this month to ride in the Jazz Apples team.

The 20-year-old is one of three development riders in the team, which also includes Commonwealth Games mountain bike silver medallist Rosara Joseph and former national road champion Alison Shanks.

Sarah Ulmer rode for the ENZA-sponsored team last year. The Jazz Apples will be based in Monterey, California, and race US road events for two months.

They've lined up about 11 events and tours in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Minnesota, California, and British Columbia, culminating in a "Superweek" of cycling in Vancouver.

It will be worse than living out of a suitcase ? they are allowed only two pieces of luggage and that includes bike and wheels, she said.

A former national under-17 road champion, Webb was reserve for the team last year, and said the North American experience should be very valuable.

"I've been doing lots of big miles in preparation," she said.

In the third year of the physical education course at the College of Education, Webb will continue her studies while she is away.

She has had previous experience bike racing overseas at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004.

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