BORDER triathlete turned cyclist Jesse Featonby claimed the first major win of his new career when he won the second stage of the National Capital Tour in Canberra on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Featonby switched to cycling full time last year after suffering a series of shoulder injuries, which hampered his promising career in triathlon.
It was in familiar territory that Featonby made his mark, dominating the climb up Black Mountain.
The former-AIS trained athlete said the result was somewhat unexpected.
“I certainly didn't think I was going to perform as well as I did last weekend,” he said.
“I've only been in two National Road Series races so far, I'm still learning the level of competition.
“Black Mountain is a hill I know very well, having spent a lot of time in Canberra, but I was really able to get away from the pack.”
The former Young Achiever of the Year winner is now riding for the South Australian-based Swiss Wellness Cycling team.
Featonby said he was aiming to make hill-climbing his speciality in the races to come.
“I’ve always been able to climb well,” he said.
“In some of the earlier races though, I held myself back at bit.
“I wasn’t sure if I had the tank to go with some of the top riders, but I felt really comfortable on Sunday.
“I was able to start attacking a little bit, it was a great confidence booster.
“It’s a good way to lead into the next race in Tasmania, I’ll be looking to improve my hill climbing down there and make it a genuine strength of mine.”
Featonby’s next major event, the National Road Series Tour of Tasmania, will get underway in Launceston on October 5.
