Warrnambool teenager Eddie Worrall primed for Austral Wheel Race debut

The Warrnambool teenager will feature on the time-honoured Austral Wheel Race program at Melbourne Arena on Saturday – just a month after he started practicing on the track.

“It is very different to the road,” he said.

“I have to get used to the bike, it’s got no brakes, one gear and you’re going around in circles.

“When I came back from (road) nationals over in Perth (in September), a few people said I should get on the track and give it a go, it would be really beneficial for me.

“I’ve been giving it a go and there’s been people helping me get there.

“I really enjoy it, it’s different so it’s a good experience.”

Worrall, 14, will compete in the under 17 men’s section at the Austral Wheel Race with various races on the schedule.

“On the road you only get one chance of doing well and on the track there’s lots of different races so you have lots of opportunities to do well,” he said.

The meeting doubles as the Australian madison, meaning high-quality riders will be at Melbourne Arena – the home of NBL club Melbourne United and Australian Open tennis matches.

“That (velodrome) track only comes out once or twice a year, so it is really cool to be able to race on it,” Worrall said.

“If I end up making the finals I will be racing that night in front of the big crowds.”

Worrall, who attends Emmanuel College, said there were different races which tested riders’ sprinting and endurance.

“There’s a scratch race where everyone starts off together and it’s the first person across the line who wins,” he said.

“Then there will be a points race which is 40 laps all up and the 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th laps will be sprints and if you’re first, second or third you get points.

“There’s a mystery lapper – it can be either three laps or 40 laps. You don’t really know until the time keeper blows the whistle with a lap to go.”