Last year marked the continuation of Steven Roberts and Luke Deasey's upward cycling trajectory as they were exposed to higher levels of competition and flourished.
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The duo are expected to improve further in 2020, and are currently in Ballarat for the start of the National Road Championships on Wednesday.
It was at this event last year that Roberts lobbed as a fledgling road cyclist, with a serious mountain biking pedigree, and left with a significantly enhanced reputation after finishing second in the king of the mountain classification in the under-19 road race.
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This year the 18-year-old will compete in the under-23 division. And to illustrate his increased standing in the sport, he will ride for Avantias Pro Racing after being uncontracted at last year's nationals at Ballarat.
"I'm really keen to ride more for people and, like, get a bit more support from other riders while I'm there," he said. "I'm just really keen to see how it all pans out."
Deasey is already somewhat of a nationals veteran, and will again compete in the under-19 division.
Like Roberts and fellow Tamworth Cycle Club member Pip Ash, Deasey also recently signed with a team. The nationals will mark his second event with the Rauland Development Team.
Deasey's ability was underlined on a number occasions last year, including when he made the NSW under-19 team for the Tour de DMZ in South Korea. It was his first state selection.
He said the experience gained on that tour "should help at the nationals".
"I've done my training and I just wanna see how I go," he said. "I feel like I've done everything I could to do my best."
Ash will make her nationals debut, competing as an elite woman.
The other TCC member riding in Ballarat is Alan Spokes, who will compete in the 70 to 74-year-old category in the Gran Fondo Australian Championships.
