Wheel deal: Bridie O’Donnell is excited about racing in her hometown
Erin Pearson
JAN Juc based cyclist Bridie O’Donnell said the Australian women cycling team’s training was in “full swing” ahead of next weeks UCI World Road Championship ride.
O’Donnell spoke to the Independent during the week and said the sides “technical preparation” was going well.
“Seven Australian female riders have been selected for the championships and we are all training in Canberra at the moment,” she said.
“We’re going to be more prepared for the weather because many European riders don’t know how cold and blustery Geelong can be but circuit-wise the hills are our main focus.
“The climb certainly isn’t as long as others but it’s a very particular climb because of the steep gradient and to be able to approach the Queens Park climb at a high speed will be very challenging.”
O’Donnell said the race was an “extraordinary opportunity” for Aussie female cyclists and felt “very thrilled and honoured” to be selected.
“I remember reading an interview from Tim Roe who rode the Tour Down Under in his first ever professional ride in Australia and he said tens of thousands of Australians were cheering him on and it completely blew him away,” she said.
“We’re hoping that many people will come down and watch and cheer on the best in cycling.”
O’Donnell said the men’s, women’s and under-23 teams have proved they’re “very strong”.
“Everyone is looking to race for medals and preparing as such,” she said.
“We’re really excited that the Australian community can see what sort of athletes we’ve produced and how we race together.”
O’Donnell began cycling professionally at 32 years of age after training in rowing and triathlon competitions.
She has since taken out the 2010 Oceania Championships Road Race in New Zealand, 2009 Oceania Championships Time Trial in Geelong, 2009 prologue time trial Tour of Chongming Island in China and 2009 Kelly Cup Criterium Baltimore in USA.
O’Donnell said tough UCI competition would come from Italy, Germany, Great Britain, USA and the Netherlands.
“Marianne Voss, the current World Cup Champion, is ranked number one and is a very aggressive climber and sprinter,” she said. “She will be the one to watch in the Dutch team.
“The Americans are pretty motivated and Shelley Evans who is a small and very powerful sprinter will be someone to watch and the Italians have a world class team including Georgia Bronzini.”
The UCI Road World Championships run from September 29 to October 3.
