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Stephanie Hansen Interview: 2010 Aus U19 Road Race Champion
Q. Stephanie, 2010 Australian U19 Road Race Champion, how does it feel?Crazy, still cant believe it! Would like to thank the following for their ongoing support, help and time, it is much appreciated! My Dad, coach Dave Sanders, Victorian Institute of Sport, Rick Lee, Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club, Giant bicycles, CBD cycles, Ian Gillam, Jason Niccols (IOS) and Dan Dixon (Revive personal fitness). Nothing would be possible without you.
Q. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of media coverage, so we don't know how the race was run. Can you take us through the race and explain how you got the win?
Sure. Well this year’s u19 Nationals were conducted in Murwillumbah (Northern NSW) on Saturday 1st of May, a sunny 27 degrees! It was a 71km race with two laps off a hilly circuit, hills up to 4km long with gradients of up to 17%. The pace was on not long after the start with hills kicking in almost immediately, my aim (and a couple of other girls aims) being to take the legs out of the stronger sprinter girls because the last 15km of the race was flat. There were many attacks on the climbs and the bunch got down to 7. With 5km to go a SASI girl and I attacked and got a slight gap on the bunch but were brought back in not too long after. Then with 600m to go there was a slight rise and drop on the road, so after been told by Dave Sanders that I should go early-ish, I attacked as hard as I could with 500m to go. Having only ever won one sprint I knew my chances were not very high, even my Dad has said 3 weeks before “you wont be able to win the RR because it will come down to a sprint”, maybe I was out to prove something. So I kept my head down and went as hard as I could, hoping with everything that the other girls couldn’t get around me. When I got to the line I couldn’t believe it, I put my hands out and screamed. I had won by around 10 meters, when I saw my Dad and coach Davo we all cried. It was the best feeling and knowing all the hard work had finally paid off.
Q. A lot of preparation must go into getting ready for a race like this. Can you take us through your training programme in the lead up to the weekend?
A lot of work did go into the road season, I missed doing track in hope to make the Junior road team. The first three months of the year were in the VIS gym three days a week to develop some strength and and fair bit of strength based work on the road, recovery rides and hell ride. Juggling training around school sometimes meant some early or late night sessions. Thanks to Jono Hall, Harry Brennan and Dave Sanders from the VIS for all their help and support, I cant thank you all enough. The last month Davo had me doing more hills and racing more regularly, races included Baw Baw where I finished in third place in open women, Buffalo Junior tour where I finished in 1st place and tour of Coleraine where I had an unlucky Saturday stage but finished in the break on the Sunday.
Q. Being young and popular, and going to school, how do you juggle your time to fit in training, homework and socialising?
Haha.. well I believe the key is a balance between the three and being organised in going about it. Time management is very important as school is a priority to me. Friends are also a major part of my life and I always try and make an effort, even if it means leaving a party at 10pm because of training the next day.
Q. Will you have to train any harder or differently in preparation for the 2010 Junior Road Cycling World Championships in Italy?
Yes there will be some slight changes, a few skills sessions will be added to learn to descend and corner better as the worlds course are both hilly and technical.
Q. Speaking of Italy, how excited are you to be in the Australian team and what are your goals?
Yes, I get excited thinking about it. I lived in Sydney for some of my childhood as Dad organised the Olympic Triathlon and when I was about six I remember telling my family that I wanted to wear Australian colours and go to the Olympics, so it is such an honour to wear the Australian Kit. Goals will be to train as hard and as smart as I can to prepare myself to be the best that I can be!
Q. Given that you're quite young, do you have any family or friends going to Italy with you, or will it be a bit of a chance to create some mischief??!!
Hahaha na no mischief! Im 16 so my parents may come over to watch but will be staying with the Australian team!
Q. How long have you been racing, and how has your club helped with your development?
I have been racing for nearly three years. I danced for ten years (mainly ballet) and competed in many different sports such as competition aerobics, dance, skiing, cross country, tennis and triathlon! Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club has been fantastic, they have an exceptional Junior Development Program in which many juniors including myself that have come through. They also have great club races, Glenvale and Sandown in summer and Modella in winter. I have made goals each year to step up a grade and at 15 I moved into B grade where I currently still am. They also have a track racing on Saturdays during the summer which also attracts many people. They support everyone, all ages and abilities, it is incredible the amount of effort put in Mal Sawford and staff. I encourage anyone to join, it is a great club.
Q. If someone was thinking of joining a club and wanted to start racing, what would you suggest they do to get started in the sport?
Visit...
They have many different opportunities for all ages and abilities, training or racing to get involved in.
And finally...
Q. If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Ohh there are so many. The Notebook or Dear John are great. But Borat would still be my favourite.. classic sense of humour.
Thanks for your time Stephanie, and good luck in Italy!!
Thankyou!!
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