FIVE talented young cyclists are chasing national titles in Canberra this weekend.

Tamworth sisters Alex and Lizzie Nicholls, Gunnedah’s Jack Hickey, Inverell’s Ethan Kimmince and Tamworth’s Sam Spokes are all riding in national events in the nation’s capital from today.

Time trials in the various age groups will be raced today, road races tomorrow and then criteriums on Sunday.

All five riders are are in good form and certain to be well up in the various events.

After the nationals, junior Under 17 and 19 teams are selected to go to New Zealand.

For Spokes, the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic also beckons.

He’s riding in the newly-constituted Glen Innes to Inverell race, run on Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic day.

It’s a 95km junior event for which Sam’s father, Alan Spokes, will be the commissaire.

Meanwhile, Hickey won last Saturday’s Tamworth Cycle Club event, an A grade scratch race at Loomberah.

The race was filled with attacks and breakaways with Steve Murray (Gunnedah) and John Saunders riding away from the A grade peleton early on.

Gunnedah’s Brendon Ludlow attacked up a long incline and tried to bridge the gap then Hickey attacked, putting everybody into difficulty.

With Alan Spokes dropped and Wayne Toomey taking an off-road excursion, it was left to John Clissold to contend with Hickey.

With Ludlow recaptured, Hickey and Ludlow gave Clissold the old one-two with constant attacks until finally Murray and Saunders were wound in, with the two young guns too fast.

Hickey won from Gunnedah pair Ludlow and Murray with Saunders fourth.

B grade raced well until it broke into a four-person break to sort it out in a sprint finish, with strong man Paul Shultz first, Graham Lewis second and a strong ride from Elizabeth Nicholls finishing third.