News

As most of you know, last week was the Jr World Track Cycling Championships, held in Invercargill NZ.

NZ was a team of 16 athletes, one of the biggest teams in the competition. (Equal with Mexico, but smaller than Russia.) There were 24 countries competing in total. All the fun began on Wednesday 22nd August 2012.

Day 1 (22nd August 2012):
The first day was the Team Pursuit qualifying and I was lucky enough to be a part of the NZ U19 Women’s Team Pursuit, along with my fellow Team mates Alysha Keith and Cassie Cameron. Alysha was the starter, I was second wheel, and Cassie was third wheel. We rode a PB and new National record of 3:30.719 which qualified us in 2nd position. In the final, we rode slightly slower (3:30.795), but we weren’t strong enough to beat Australia for the Gold. The Aussie girls rode a new World Record of 3:24.372 - they definitely deserved to win. We were proud to be taking home a Silver Medal for our country.
 
Day 2 (23rd August 2012):
After day one was over, I had a day of recovery before I started the gruelling event called the Omnium. For those of you who don’t know, the omnium is 6 events and for your placing in each event the you collects points (i.e. 1st=1 point, 2nd=2points etc etc). At the end of the 6 events, the rider with the least amount of points wins.

Day 3 (24th August 2012):
Flying lap was the first event, and I was understandably nervous. I was a bunch of nerves once I got onto the track and I didn’t do as well as I could have. I managed a 6th place giving me 6 points already. Next up was the points race. It was the most frustrating race of my life, though I had gotten rid of the nerves and was all focus. I pulled out a 2nd position in that, which sat me on 8 points and in 5th position. Finally for the day was the Elimination, one of my all time favourites. Unfortunately, I lacked concentration for only a second and that was enough to screw up the race and end up 5th. All in all, I wasn’t too happy with myself after the days happenings so I changed my mindset completely. I was sitting 4th Overall with a points tally of 13.

Day 4 (25th August 2012):
I woke up and I told myself it would be a good day. I had my 2km Individual Pursuit first up and the Russian girl who was sitting 3rd was my opponent on the other side of the track. I went out there and shaved 1.8 seconds off my PB, producing a time of 2:28.579. I was ecstatic at what I had achieved, even though I only got 3rd. Still 4th overall, with 16 points. The scratch was the next event, and I knew I had to be top 2 if I were to have a chance at winning a medal. It was another frustrating race, most of it spent above the blue. But I pulled off a 2nd place in that and got myself into 3rd place. Last but definitely not least, I had the 500m TT. Not my strongest event, though my goal was to achieve another PB, and I did! My time of 37.580 was good enough to secure me the Bronze Medal in the U19 Women’s Omnium.
 
When I stood on that 3rd step of that podium, I felt so successful. I know I didn’t win, but I was happy. I know I gave it everything and at the end of the day, the girls who beat me were just better riders.
I can assure you though, this is certainly not the last you will see of me, and I have new goals and new girls to try and beat. I am no longer a Jr on the track, as I have officially moved up to the senior ranks and with the step up, my goals and aspirations have stepped up. Ultimately, 2016 Olympics - Rio de Janeiro. That’s my dream.
After one of the most exciting weeks of my life, I am forced back into the reality and routine of normal life. I will miss everyone from my team, you were all so amazing. I couldn’t have done any of this without you guys, so Thank You! And everyone, please be sure to congratulate all my fellow team mates. They all rode their hearts out and I am so proud of every one of them.
 
Importantly, I would like to send out a HUGE thanks to Avanti Bikes, who sponsored me with the latest Avanti Pista EvoII. It is absolutely amazing and I love it to bits, it’s my new baby. Also, another HUGE thanks to Partners Life, who were generous enough to sponsor my entire campaign, I couldn’t have done it without them!

And a massive THANK YOU to anyone who has ever supported me in chasing my dreams, it means so much. There are so many people I could thank individually, but I think you all know who you are.

Sorry for the novel of a blog, I had a lot to say. :P I hope you enjoyed my ramblings and remember you can leave me questions/comments in my ask box. :)
Thank you for reading! I hope I was able to make you all proud!