Green and gold dream edges closer for talented rider Anna

Afew years ago, Anna Dubier decided to pursue a sporting career in cycling over athletics as she believed it would open up more opportunities for her to travel – and when you see her passport from this year alone, you’ll quickly realise she made the right decision.

Not only has the 15-year-old excelled on both the track and on the road in Australia this cycling season, but she’s also made a name for herself riding overseas as well.

Earlier this year, Anna was invited by a cycling team in Perth to spend two weeks in Belgium to race, while in May she travelled to Malaysia as a member of the Australian Junior Development Team to compete against that country’s top riders.

Despite her age and her inexperience racing internationally, Anna was super impressive.

“In my very first race in Belgium I got second and, in my very last race competing in my age group as well as the one above, I got first in my age group and second overall,” Anna told the Weekender

“For cycling, going to Europe is a really big deal because Europe is where most of the cycling is. There are so many races and so many people cycling in Europe.

“That to me was my biggest achievement because cycling over there is huge and next level.”

Over in Malaysia, the Werrington local also finished on the podium following a week of racing with the

Australian Junior Development Team.

“24 of us were there for a week and participated in one of their track series’ and were up against Malaysia’s top riders. I got second overall in points,” Anna said.

Anna’s road to stardom isn’t as surprising as you may think, with her father Pierre a top cycling coach and her brother heavily involved as well. The Year 10 Emmaus Catholic College student said cycling runs in the family and she’s happy she got involved herself as an eight-yearold.

“When I was younger, I was tossing up between cycling and athletics and I thought cycling would give me more opportunities to travel,” she said.

“Also with cycling, you can just get on your bike and ride somewhere new – you can ride up the hill and look at the view or something. It was just a lot more interesting and there’s so many variations of cycling.”

Anna, a current member of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport and the latest recipient of the Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Junior Sports Star Award, said she can’t wait to see what the future holds for her in cycling.

“My biggest goal is to wear the Australian colours and race at the World Championships, and that could be possible as early as next year at the Junior World Champs,” she said.

Anna Dubier’s Junior Sports Star Award is all thanks to sponsor St Marys Leagues Club.

If you or you know someone who has achieved in their chosen sport, send in your nomination to Penrith Valley Sports Foundation.

Monthly Junior Sports Star winners receive $350 in cash plus their ticket to the Annual Dinner, while monthly Senior Sports Star winners receive $700 in cash plus their Annual Dinner ticket.

Nomination forms are available at www.pvsf.org.au.