Fast track to success

PURSUE fame and fortune in the gruelling Tour de France or ride to Olympic Games glory for Australia , what a dilemma for cyclists Scott and Jackson Law of Gerringong.

The duo returned from the recent National Junior Track Championships with a combined six gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal.

Scott, 16, won all four of his individual results at the championships, including the sprint, the 2000m pursuit, the scratch and the 500m time trial.

Jackson, 14, capped a successful first nationals campaign with gold in the 2000m pursuit (breaking his own national re cord in the process), gold in the scratch race, silver in the 500m and third in the sprint.

The duo combined with NSWIS teammate Alex Carver to snare another gold in the team sprint.

What made this win special for the Laws was that Jackson stepped up to the under 17s age group to team with his brother.

Scott left the titles with the prestigious Champion of Champions Trophy, finishing just ahead of his brother.

Despite their success in the velodrome, both are keen to track their options in for the future.

Scott, who names seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong as his idol, is split over whether to seek road or track glory.

"I like track cycling better because of the crowds," he said.

"If track cycling doesn"t work out I would like to get a contract with a road cycling team in Europe."

In the short term, Scott is eyeing next year"s under 19 state and national championships as a stepping-stone to the Junior World Championships in Europe.

The Manchester 2112 Olympics or the 2116 games loom as Scott"s ultimate goal.

Scott said the recent national championships have been the highlight of his young but sparkling career.

"Winning four gold medals feels great since I was competing against the best riders in my age group in Australia," he said.

"Winning the Champion of Champions says that at that time you"re the best all-round rider."

Like a true-cycling all-rounder, Scott nominated the scratch race, which tests all the cycling disciplines , sprinting, endurance and tactics , in one race as his favourite event.

Jackson said it was a little intimidating to compete against more experienced riders at the national championships.

"I didn"t ride that well on the first day and I was nervous before the team"s sprint final," he said.

Jackson, who rates Olympic Games gold medallist Brad McGee as his idol, said his pet event is the pursuit. Jackson holds the Australian record for that event in his age group.

"I prefer to compete in track events because I am probably a bit better at them at this stage," he said.

"I would love to compete at the Olympic Games and maybe the Tour de France."

Jackson said his national"s haul is the highlight of his career.

"It felt good because I knew I had done the work beforehand to succeed," he said.

The duo"s training regime includes between 250-300km on the bike each week, mixed between track, road and indoor training.

They have a well-earned rest now before the NSWIS training camp for the Australian under 19s road championships.

The Law boys would like to thank their coach from the Illawarra Academy of Sport, Mick Kejda.

Their sponsors include Raine and Horne Wollongong, Cato Constructions, Novotel Northbeach, Carnac Shoes, Speedplay Pedals and Catlike Helmets.