Sport
9 February, 2024
Helmore hits top 35
CAMPERDOWN’S Riley Helmore suited up for a new team to traverse the gruelling 267 kilometres in the 108th Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic.
The race marked the fourth time Helmore has taken part in the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic, but this year was the first he’s suited up for Team Royal Bikes.
“It was a really good experience,” he said.
“It’s exciting to be with a national series outfit, and it’s a great group of fellas.
“We’ve got a good team, and we couldn’t have asked for better.”
Helmore said he was pleased with his performance throughout the race, which ultimately saw him playing a support role for some of the more experienced riders on the team.
Still, the 22-year-old talent finished in an incredible 35th, just three minutes back, and played a pivotal role in assisting his teammates to a strong result.
“It was overall a pretty good race,” Helmore said.
“Tynan Shannon did a great job in the later stages of the race to finish 12th.
“Jack Aitken got king of the mountains and sprint jerseys, which was a really good result.
“It’s a good result for our first season.”
Helmore said he had long held ambitions of taking part in the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic.
When the race would previously run through Camperdown, with hundreds lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the sprints, the then-teenager was among those eagerly watching on with ambitions of one day swapping spectating for riding.
“It’s a local event which goes through the hometown; well, not anymore but I grew up watching,” he said.
“The locals I looked up to had all taken part in so it becomes something you want to be part of too.
“It’s always one you want to do well in if you’re from the south west region.”
Helmore is beginning to come in to his own after years of success as a member of the Camperdown Cycling Club, working his way through junior and senior events and training before now moving on to the National Road Series.
Helmore has currently moved to Geelong while studying a degree in information technology at Deakin University, but remains busy as Team Royal Bikes eyes off further success in the Victorian and National Racing Series
“We just want to have a good crack and have a bit of fun,” he said.
“It sounds cliché but if you enjoy the training and racing it makes it a whole lot easier
“It’s not training if you see it as a good time.”