Jack meets his mark
• Springfield’s Jack Hadley (centre) won the 1000 MTR handicap and the open men's wheel race at a St Helens Carnival on the weekend.
By Taylor Clyne
January 26, 2022
16-year-old Springfield rider Jack Hadley is making a name for himself on the track having found great success on his bike in the limited time he’s been competing.
After road riding for a number of years Jack was asked by coach Janelle Smith to have a go at track racing after seeing he had talent in this space.
“I started doing a bit of training at the Silverdome once a week and then entered the TasCarnival Series about three months ago,” he said.
Starting as a newcomer in C grade Jack quickly progressed to B grade after winning the majority of his races early on.
Competing in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie Jack said riding in the Burnie Wheel Race against some inspiring Australian Olympic riders has definitely been a highlight.
“I’ve been riding well in B grade against quality riders and happy to have placed in a few different events.”
Track riding is in the Hadley blood line with both his grandfather and great great grandfather finding success.
“My great grandfather, Ernest ‘Puss’ Hadley, won the Burnie Wheel race in 1939 and my grandfather Peter Hadley raced track as a junior too.”
Jack has poured a lot of hard work into his new passion training 15 hours, six days a week equating to 350km on the bike.
“I mainly train on the road riding around Springfield, Scottsdale, the Sideling and abouts.
“Max Rainsford has been a great supporter of me, along with my family, I’m very grateful.”
Over the weekend Jack also won the 1000 MTR handicap and the open men's wheel race at a St Helens Carnival and is now setting his sights on the State Track Titles this weekend at the Silverdome.
“It’s an individual time trial, I’m hoping to get a qualifier for Nationals later
this year.”
Aside from his general interest in riding Jack said he very much enjoys the training, challenging himself and making new friends along the way.
If there is one thing for certain his late mother Anne Hadley would be looking down proud of her boy.