Rachel Neylan Cycling Tribe Interview
Sponsors: SASI / AGF / Vision Eye Institute / Cibo Espresso / 2XU / Apres Velo / Endura / Bont / Jurlique / Aussie Butt Cream / 33 Interactions
Team: AUS National Team & Team Fanini / System Data (Italy)
Career Highlight: 4th at National Champs 2010
Age: 28
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© of image to remain the property of Sam Roberts Photography http://www.samrobertsphotography.com.au/
Cycling Tribe: Rachel, thanks for your time. How have things been going?
Rachel Neylan: Hi guys, no problems at all, congrats on the news website, it's fantastic for Aussie Cycling!
CT: How are your finding life, and training, in Italy?
RN: Since arriving in Italy on the 14th March I have enjoyed 10 days of fantastic training in Lucca, now up in Varese with the National team preparing for World Cup #1 on Sunday. I love Italy so am enjoying all it has to offer - I am taking advantage and immersing myself in the culture... eating, speaking and living Italiano!
CT: At 28, you are a relative late-comer to the sport. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
RN: Pre cycling day to day life more often involved lacing up a pair of running shoes, or rehabilitating an ACL. I have always been a passionate athlete, starting out at Ryde little Athletics Club in Sydney at the age of eight.
Even though active in many sports through high school, determination to excel in sport saw me sticking to a love of hurdling until the age of 22, however competitiveness at a national level was just not enough. Full time university for four years completing a Physiotherapy degree and establishing my career was always a parallel priority to my athletic goals.
I took up rowing as a lightweight at Mosman Rowing Club in 2005. It was here that i likened to being an endurance athlete and more importantly, bought my first road bike for cross training. Returning to running brought injury and the thought of cycling kept creeping into my mind!
CT: Last week you were awarded the Amy Gillett Foundation Scholarship. How much of a struggle are financial issues for you? This will no doubt help considerably?
RN: The ability to train full time and spend seven months in Europe racing does indeed come at a financial sacrifice. I am fortunate enough to have received the AGF scholarship which assists travel and racing costs for the National Team stints this year.
The AGF is a fantastic organisation playing an essential role in our community encouraging mutual respect between cyclists and motorists, I am so honored to represent the foundation.
I also have some awesome support from personal product sponsors (Cibo Espresso, Vision Eye Institute, 2XU / Apres Velo / Endura / Bont / Jurlique / Aussie Butt Cream / 33 Interactions) which help elevate my living costs. Female road cyclists sure do it for love not money!
CT: You took a risk in 2007, leaving your career as a physiotherapist to train full time. What was it that convinced you in the end to take the leap?
RN: Actually it was a particular work trip to Europe in 2007 with Australian Rowing as team physiotherapist. I was inspired by the achievements of athletes around me. I was also wearing green and gold but know i was on the wrong side of the fence. Following the regatta I took a few days holiday in Switzerland, visited the Olympic museum in Lausanne, went up to the Swiss mountains and did some thinking...
When I got home I googled 'development opportunities for women's cycling' and sure enough the SASI/National Talent Identification and Development (NTID) program application form was the first thing to show up! A phone call to Dr Tammie Ebert (NTID) program closely followed.
One month later I was invited to join the NTID cycling development program at the South Australian Sports Institute. Another month later I was residing in Adelaide and had begun life as I now know as an elite cyclist.
CT: Can you take me through a typical day in your life during a hard training phase?
RN: Wake up, breakfast, skinny latte at my local cibo espresso cafe, meet the SASI cycling squad, ride for 4-5hrs acorss/ over / around the Adelaide hills, followed by an Endura Optomizer recovery drink, lunch, work for 2-3 hrs, gym core stability session or yoga, dinner, then bed!
CT: Has the training tapered heavily leading into the World Cup?
RN: No not really, it has lightened up a little in these past few days. There are 3 other world cups and 8 one day 'Classic' races in total during April that I am doing with the National team - so the focus has been to prepare well for the TOUGH month ahead.
CT: What are you hoping to achieve at the World Cup?
RN: I am aiming to perform as a strong relentless working domestique for our Australian
GC rider to get her to on the podium, optimally the pointy end!
GC rider to get her to on the podium, optimally the pointy end!
CT: What role do you think you will play for your team this year?
RN: Essentially I will be a domestique in the National team this year. The type of race - terrain etc and who the lead rider is determines the team dynamics and tactics. In my italian Team Fanini / System Data I will have the opportunity to be the GC rider in the more hilly races and tours which is a fantastic opportunity during my first full Euro season.
CT: What is your number one goal for the next 2 years?
RN: To become an established national team member and debut as a member of the Aus World Championships Team. Also to develop further into a verstaile GC rider.
CT: Thanks for your time and good luck in Italy.
Thanks for your time guys - keep updated with my blogs for Aussie Women's National Road Team happenings over the next month at www.rachelneylan.com
3 comments to "Rachel Neylan Cycling Tribe Interview"
I have recently met Rachel and know a winner when I see one. She will go a long way. I just know it.
Rachel has a great work ethic and determination in spades. Good luck Rach and remember "wattage"!
Cannot wait to see our neice Rachel racing back in Aus latter in the year.
Fantastic to see all the interest in her awesome efforts os.
Race em Rach. xx
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