Reuben Smith Wins Prestigious Cycling Race - 86th Melbourne Cup On Wheels

Year 11 cyclist Reuben Smith has triumphed in one of the greatest sporting feats in the history of Wangaratta High School, taking out the 86th Melbourne Cup on Wheels cycling event in Melbourne last Saturday November 4th.

At the DISC Velodrome at the Darebin International Sports Centre, Reuben on the 6th and final lap powered from approximately 20m back, powering past the leader on the final bend to win the prestigious sprint race in a time of 1:33.91. He took home a $750 prize, but more importantly joining a mighty list of past-winners which including some of the immortals of Australian cycling, such as legends Sid Patterson and Dean Woods.

Reuben becomes the first Wangaratta boy to win the race since the late Woods, probably Wangaratta’s greatest sporting legend of all time, who won a Gold Medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games as an 18-year old prodigy in the Team Pursuit. 

Reuben’s win, but also his commitment to cycling over many years, should be an inspiration to all of us. Ever since entering W.H.S at Year 7, he was committed to his fitness, and since finding Cycling, he’s been competing in Melbourne regularly. If you ever happen to find yourself down at the Wangaratta Showgrounds Velodrome after school hours, you’ll likely see him doing laps, and it’s quite shocking to see in person how fast he rides, and for how long he can maintain it. 

To win a race like this, and power home so strongly, is a great example to all of us of what can come from hard work. Well done Reuben, we’re all proud of you and we wish you the best in your Cycling career.

To watch Reuben’s incredible race, the coverage starts at about the 8:40.00 mark. He’s in the Orange suit: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=midoatrtSMo

• Jud Mullins