By Jo Tralaggan – @joannetralaggan If emotions could be summarised in hash tags my ToG13 Stage 3 win would read: #relief???? #disbelief????? #self-belief??? #delight???? #ecstatic???? #hungryformore I am passionate about sport ? always have been. I took up cycling about a year ago when repeated ankle injuries forced a new opportunity ? road cycling. So I swapped malleable rubber soles for stiff carbon fibre and cleats and I haven?t looked back. The year leading to my Tour of the Goldfields stage win has been an exciting one. Life?s events have been favourable and strangely aligned. It all started back in June when I was accepted to participate in a 10 day calcium study and training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. The organisers were seeking 32 national level women cyclists (not a B-Grade club level rider such as me!) Nevertheless, the organisers acknowledged my passionate desire to develop as a cyclist, and I was offered a position on the camp. It was a true honour to ?pump-up? tyres alongside elite women cyclists, experience life at the AIS, receive advice from nutritionists who are considered the best in their field and to be guided by Martin Barras and a team of expert Physiologists, such as Eric Haakonssen. The camp re-ignited my self-confidence, tenacity and competitive hunger which had slowly been deflated by constant running injuries. I returned from the camp focused. I wanted to develop into an elite cyclist?Step 1 ? learn to ride with no hands (tick). Step 2 ? enter into more competitive races (tick). Step 3 – get a coach (tick) and so on. I developed wonderful friendships during the camp and I have a great deal of respect for those NRS riders who I am now pleased to stand next to on the starting line. I?d like to publically thank them for their support and encouragement. A real community spirit emanates from this group of NRS riders. There is a united desire to see Women?s cycling supported and developed. I owe a special thanks to Peta Mullens for believing in me to the point that she invited me to guest ride for Target Trek at National Capital Tour in September (my first NRS race) and again at the Tour of the Goldfields. No doubt, my crowning as B-Grade Tour Winner at the Canberra Women and Junior Tour and Cootamundra Classic Elite Women?s Champion helped but it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the support network that surrounds me including: my parents, my partner Alex, Sutherland Cycling Club and the amazing network of female likeminded cyclists…Peta Mullens, Liz Fitch, Alice Wallett, Emily Cunningham, Samantha de Riter, Imogen Vize, Lisa Antill, Gina Ricardo, Tegan & Kelvin Rundle, Claire Trembath, Stacey Riedel, Cassie Dodd, Carley McKay, Sarah Roy, Brittany Lindores, Megan Bagworth, Tegan Elferkh, Iona Halliday, Chloe McIntosh, Emma Viotto, Laura Meadley, Ailie McDonald, Ruby Greig-Hurtig, Penny Brown (the list could go on!). Honestly, a welcoming smile from any one of these girls as you approach the line makes it all worthwhile! Here?s to women?s cycling. #cheers Jo
