Hunter hopeful glad to be riding at NSW Junior Road Championships after crash

Mason is among 17 Newcastle Hunter club riders competing in age groups from under-9 to 17s.

A two-time state representative, Mason has only been back in full training a couple of months after a horror crash in April.

Competing at a track carnival at the Bowral Velodrome, Mason collided with another rider and hit the ground hard, breaking his collarbone and suffering a head injury.

"I don't remember too much of it," the year nine Grossman High student said. "Someone said we were going about 60 kilometres an hour and I landed on my left shoulder. I was rushed to Liverpool hospital. They were concerned that I may have a brain injury, so they admitted me to the trauma unit. Thankfully I was cleared of major damage. I went home and had surgery to put a plate in my shoulder."

Although back riding about four months, Mason was only cleared to resume racing recently.

"The home trainer is good for keeping fitness, but it is so much better to get out on the road," he said. "I'm still building up my endurance. I had a club race last weekend to get a hit out and felt pretty good. Hopefully I can do all right."

Mason will contest the 70km road race and 12km time trial. The road course is raced over a 12km circuit at Kurri Hunter Economic Zone precinct.

"It's an advantage being on my home course. I know the course so well," Mason said. "You really need to be a strong rider and be in a bigger gear. A lot of people don't understand that. I know where to be aggressive."

The titles were to have been held earlier in the year, but were delayed due to COVID and then relocated to the Hunter.

More than 150 riders will compete across the age groups.

"This event was to be held a couple of months ago and a lot of riders have been preparing for the track season," Hunter Academy of Sport squad coach Ross Hayter said.

"It is a bit of the unknown We don't know what the other riders have been doing because of COVID. It is a more open event."

As well as Mason, Hayter expects Hayley Dell to be in contention in the under-15s.

"Hayley has been in state team but didn't get to ride at nationals because of COVID," Hayter said. "She is more of an endurance rider and has really come on in the last six months."

Last year, Newcastle Hunter had five riders compete at the State Juniors.

Several riders will be competing at their first junior road tour.including Corinne, Travis & Rhys Erby, Caleb Ashpole and Joshua Crawford. Jackson Yowe, Anderson Dell and Oliver Richards complete the junior ranks.

Caitlin Rose joins Dell in the under-15 women, while Jake Pajtl is in the under15 men.

In the under-17s, Phoenix Julian will contest the girls' and Matthew Drohan joins Mason in the men.

Jett Jordan, Quiola Arthur and Idris Arthur have returning to the Hunter will attend their first road tour event.

Jordan has been competing in criterion races in the United Kingdom, while the Arthurs have transitioned from cyclocross events.

********

It was Mason's first major crash.

"I have had smaller crashes where I have gotten grazes and things like that," he said. "In hospital my asked if wanted to stop riding and I said I am getting straight back on."