Rising cyclist pedals his way to victory

Rising Eaton cycling star Josh Commons rode his way to overall victory at the Wirtgen Group Centrals Junior Tour in the Barossa Valley last month.

The 15-year-old won two of the four stages to win the general classification by more than 15 minutes – following in the footsteps of ex-national champions Alex Edmondson, Luke Durbridge and Bradley Linfield.

“We lightened my bike and changed the cassette to some easier gears,” Josh said.

“My training program has been really good, I was feeling fatigued in my training until the last two days of tapering, when I felt really good.”

The Centrals Junior Tour sits alongside the Canberra Junior and Women’s Tours as one of the most prestigious events developing riders can hope to win in Australia.

Josh now has his sights set on the Junior Road National Championships, which will be held on the Gold Coast in September.

“I’m not too confident,” he said.

“I am confident in our training program – but you have to go there with a clear mind – you don’t want to go in there cocky.”