4 minute read
Emily’s fast track to cycling success
Emily’s fast track to cycling success
Seventeen-year-old Emily Dixon, from Mount Eliza, speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about balancing school with cycling for the 99 Bikes Women’s Academy and her aspirations for a professional career in the sport.
What initially drew you to the world of cycling, and how did you get involved with the 99 Bikes Women’s Academy?
Bikes have always been a part of my life. My family and I really got into biking when we moved over to New Zealand for a few years when I was eight, and we used to head out on the mountain biking trails each weekend.
During Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns in 2021 I started riding inside on the static trainer on an old road bike two sizes too big, but I loved the thrill of pushing myself to ride as hard as I could for an hour every day in between my lunch breaks at online school. I eventually got to take my bike outside in the mornings with Dad and really enjoyed being able to explore the beautiful Mornington Peninsula by bike.
I got my first proper road bike soon after that and begged Dad to let me race until he finally gave in. I had my first race in November 2021 where I raced the
state championships and saw the 99 Bikes Women’s Academy team riders there. I absolutely loved their kit and they were so welcoming. They took me under their wing in their development team the next year and here I am today, fortunate enough to get to compete for their race team.
How has being part of the academy influenced your development as a cyclist?
(It has) opened my eyes to better see the steps to achieving my goals in cycling, which are too often unclear for young women in sport. The 99 Bikes Women’s Academy assists in bridging this gap between junior developing athletes and the elite sports scene. The funding we receive from sponsors assists me to attend more races, which means more development opportunities to improve my racing skills. I’ve met so many amazing teammates and made lasting friendships. I believe having these social connections – people to relate to and have a laugh with at races – is key to staying in sport.
What did you learn from racing on an international stage in Belgium recently?
Nothing could've really prepared me for European racing and the fields being around 160 riders for the international races. I found it really difficult mentally at the start, as it was so hectic and the Europeans are quite aggressive in races – unlike Australian racing – so
it required constant thinking about how to position well in the peloton, not to mention the many crashes during the races and descending down hills at 85km/h in a peloton. I learnt from this experience that the best growth comes when you throw yourself at new and unknown opportunities despite not knowing what’s ahead of you.
How do you balance your schoolwork with your cycling commitments?
I currently attend Padua College Mornington doing Year 12. It was initially really challenging to figure out a ‘perfect’ balance between my academic studies and training around 15-plus hours a week. My time management skills have been challenged through VCE, but I can gladly say now I can maximise my class time and have also learnt great ways to study more efficiently to get the most out of the hours I put in.
What are your short and long-term goals in cycling?
One of my big goals this year is to be selected to represent Australia for the under-19 women’s world championships in late September. For the future I am hoping to get back over to Europe next year to develop my skills as a rider in hope of eventually getting picked up by a European Continental team, with the ultimate dream being to sign a contract with a professional team and doing what I love as a career.
