A total of six riders from the Toyota Supercycling Academy have been included in the 15-rider Junior World Championships squad announced by Cycling South Africa on Thursday.

Shaun-Nick Bester, Hendrik Kruger, Jonathan van Gesselleen, Louis Meintjes, Stuart Strachan and Elizabeth Samson have been selected for the squad, which travels to Europe to compete in International Cycling Union (UCI) Nations Cup events in June and July.

Based on the performances of the squad members in the Nations Cup events, where riders will receive support from Cycling South Africa, a team of at least three men and two women will then be chosen to represent South Africa at the 2009 World Championships in Moscow, Russia from 7-15 August.
 
“This is excellent! We are extremely proud of all our riders that have been selected for this squad, which is essentially a look at the future stars of South African road cycling,” said Andrew McLean, co-founder of the Toyota Supercycling Academy.

“This is exactly what we had in mind when we started the Academy. Thanks to Toyota, Barloworld, SuperSport and all the other sponsors that have helped build this Academy, which has become the premier nursery for South African cycling talent. Thanks must go to Ian Wilson, Academy manager, for all his efforts without which the Academy wouldn’t be so successful,” added McLean.

South African Junior World Championships squad:
Junior Men: Christopher Jennings, Johann van Zyl, Stefano Maiorana, Ivan Haasbroek, Shaun-Nick Bester, Hendrik Kruger, Jonathan van Gesselleen, Avery Arendse, Calvin Beneke, Louis Meintjes, J.C. Nel, Stuart Strachan.
Junior Women: Elizabeth Samson, Danny Dalton, Michelle Corbett.