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Recent results and new features
By Gerard Knapp
A promising young Australian triathlete, Michael Atkins, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a racing accident on Friday, November 23, during a criterium held at the Waratah Park circuit, south of Sydney, Australia.
The death has shocked the Australian racing community, as most cannot recall the last tragedy resulting purely from racing on a circuit which did not involve any other vehicles. The 21-year old rider was racing in the B grade event, as part of the regular Friday evening races organised by the Sutherland Cycling Club on a dedicated criterium circuit south of Sydney.
Atkins was competing under a 'three-race trial licence' provided by the NSW Cycling Federation to allow athletes to enter races and experience racing before committing to a full licence. The accident occurred at the bottom of the circuit's descent, where riders can reach speeds over 70kmh before negotiating a tight left-hand bend which swoops uphill.
Apparently Michael was at the front of the group when he lost control of his bike and crashed. Reports to Cyclingnews indicate he struck a tree, but a spokesman for the NSW federation would not confirm this detail. Personnel from the St John's Ambulance were in attendance at the race and rushed to the crash scene. A helicopter airlift was called in and the rider was flown to St George Hospital, but died shortly after from internal injuries.
The young rider was an emerging Australian triathlete, training in an area of Sydney which has produced several world champions. Atkins had recently finished sixth in the Forster-Tuncurry Half Ironman - ahead of 25 professional athletes - and was training with a group which included world triathlon champion Peter Robertson. His coach, Mark Newton, told a Sydney newspaper that the rider "had the potential to be an Australian champion". It was his first race at the Friday criteriums at Waratah Park, which were often used for training by leading triathletes such as Greg Welch and Emma Carney.
The race commissaire has presented his report to the NSW Cycling Federation, and a spokesman for the federation expects a Coroner's inquest will result from the tragedy.
(The team at Cyclingnews - several of whom have raced on this circuit, an area where this writer learnt to ride his bike - extend their deepest sympathies to his family, friends and riders of the Sutherland club.)
Major Races and Events
September 7-29, 2002: Vuelta
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July 6-28, 2002: Tour
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December 8: Superprestige
Rd 5 (Cat. 1) - Erwin Vervecken
November 29-December 4: Six
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November 26-December 1: Six
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December 1: Melbourne
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World Cup #2 (CDM) - Sven Nijs again
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December 8-9: Frankfurter
Rad-Cross (Cat. 2) - Alex Mudroch, UK
National Trophy Series #4 (Cat. 3) - Roger Hammond, Grote
Prijs Industrie Bosduin - Kalmthout (Cat. 1) - Bart Wellens, Int.
Radquer Obergösgen (Cat. 2) - Björn Rondelez, Trofeo
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Results: local racing
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Promotions Omnium Series #2, Eastern
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Caulfield Tuesday criterium, Southern
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USA - Georgia
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