He's still a junior in the cycling world but don't be fooled. Under that boyish exterior beats the heart
of a champion and he speaks with a maturity far beyond his years. At this years Australian Track Cycling
Championships all eyes were on brother Josh and our international "kilo" king Shane Kelly. Talk of peaking
for later competition by Kelly and a big focus on Josh most probably did Ben a big favour, after all, who would
expect a junior to bump off both the current Australian Champ and the most decorated "kilo" competitor of the
nineties, even if the "kid" was a triple world Junior Champ. But clean them up he did, giving the selectors
something to think about and obviously leaving the AIS coaching staff rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect
of having yet another potentially huge cycling talent that can be developed into a representitive rider. And why not,
in an atmosphere where drugs are not tolerated, where all achievements are done through natural ability and every rider
is prepared to "back each other in" for the good of the team, this was just another example of what a great depth of talent
exists in Australian track cycling. Let me say that as a bonus, Ben is an example of the consumate champion speaking with a
clear,but modest authority when interviewed and is a reporters dream. And as you will read, he is quick to praise the other
junior riders who have really shone at the championships. I caught up with Ben just after the NSW Team, comprising the Kersten Brothers and Sean Eadie, had won
the Olympic Sprint Championship of Australia in tremendous style.
Well done Ben you've had a really good meet here winning the "kilo" and going on today to win the Olympic Sprint
you must be a very, very happy person.
"Yeh I'm rapt with the whole series. It's been fantastic and I'm just happy how everythings gone, I didn't expect
it to go the way it has. I don't know what to say, its been great".
What was the highlight for you out of what you have achieved.
"I don't know, probably the time I just did in the Olympic Sprint for the standing first lap. I didn't expect myself
to do such a fast time. I'm not the ultimate starter, but it was the quickest lap from the championship, so I was
happy with that. But definately the "kilo". Just rolling Shane and my brother Josh that was great cause thats where
my heart is at the moment, the "kilo".
The Kersten brothers have certainly worked poor old Shane Kelly over in the last few years, he hasn't had that much of a
look in. But he has got that international experience and you are still young and your obviously going to have the chance to
increase your experience and grow.
Yeh, ah, it's definately a bit unfortunate for Shane that he doesn't get a chance to win in front of his home crowds. He sets
his goals on the world championships or the olympics that year, and its just unfortunate that the Australian public doesn't
realize that. Cause he is a champion and come the Olympics, he's going to be the man to beat and I'm just going to be his
protege`".
Now looking at the future is there anything you see yourself doing, something in which you really want to specialize.
"I'm just enjoying what I'm doing at the moment. I'm a bit skewif with events that I'm riding, but definately when Shane
lets me take over his position I'd love to have a go at the "kilo". Thats definately where, as I say again, where my heart
is, but the Olympic Sprint is also a fantastic race, you get to work with your team. I love racing that, so definately those
two races".
The other thing you must be really happy about is, Australian cycling is very settled and when you look at the talent
thats coming up, around the same age group as you and filtering through, you certainly are going to have a lot of really
solid, good, team mates there, aren't you.
"Yeh definately. At the moment we're struggling because we have such a young team, but hopefully we can come together with
the seniors in the team. Like Shane Kelly and Gary Neiwand as such and we can all work together and learn from each other.
But in the next couple of years I see Australia becoming where the French are at the moment...having the depth and quality".
And personally, what do you think of the talents of riders like young Peter Dawson and Ryan Bayley who has certainly gone with
lots of enthusiasm, lots of hammer and seems to have the killer instinct as well.
"Ryan Bayley is certainly showing his stuff, he'll come close to knocking off my Australian record if he gets officially timed again
in the 200 metre. He's certainly got a lot of speed and if he works on his tactics a little bit more, he'll be a force to be reckoned
with".
And Peter Dawson...he's a good, solid trier.
"I went away with Peter to Greece for the junior Worlds last year and he certainly showed that he is a tough rider and this year in
the championships he's gone very well".
What about in the junior womens ranks, do you see anyone coming through there.
"In the junior women Kate Bates is looking pretty good and pretty tough. The Meares sisters are pretty talented".
Talking about the Meares sisters, they certainly didn't muck around. It was lucky that race was called off before they killed each other.
As it was the race was stopped because they were both injured in the final against each other.
"Yeh...I was a bit surprised to see that too and ah...I know I'll go out on a limb here and say that it's not something I like to see. The
competitive spirit is one thing, brothers like me and Josh go through things like that but I think they took it too far this time".
The other thing this time around, was seeing all the Para-olympians in action. People like Daniel Polson with an artificial leg and the blind
tandem riders going hammer and tongs at it, it must be good to sit back and say...gees their going well and so am I.
"It's great to see them here at the championships getting included. It's a great opportunity for them and us as well. To see what they can do,
and for them to get the crowds as well. It is a good opportunity and I'm glad they put it on".
Finally, do you think that junior cycling gets enough publicity and recognition. By that I mean, the main stream media rush over to get the senior
riders and to me thats a bit of a worry because I see them getting all the publicity and the poor old juniors are left to just ride around, having
a cool down.
"Yeh definately. I think junior cycling gets a bit of a bad rap in Australia. They are very talented people. I myself didn't get noticed much as a
junior and then as soon as people turn senior it's the hardest years of your life that next step. If they don't get recognised enough, then they
don't see the point of continuing on. So I think if companies realized the potential of a junior turning senior, if they can just be patient and
push it along a little more and support the under 19 and lower ages of Australian cycling".
I hope everything works out for you in the future Ben and that you have a really good year.
"Thanks mate".
