Cyclist Lucy Allen turned lockdown training rides into state championship victories and is now on her way to competing against elite athletes.
Lucy, aged 14 and in her second year at Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS), always enjoyed family bike rides but during lockdown she embraced a more serious approach.
After a caravan trip around Australia, she aimed to regain her fitness and, with just six weeks in hand, Lucy started training for her first state championship.
“I woke up early most days and trained with my Dad, he called it the ‘Hold my wheel' program,” Lucy said.
“In the process of training for this event I really fell in love with the sport and met all the nice people in the cycling community.
“I ended up winning the state championships and was completely hooked.”
In addition to training with her dad, Lucy is a part of the Illawarra Cycle Club, and appreciates its inclusive atmosphere and the valuable development opportunities it provides.
“The Illawarra Cycle Club has been a great community that really puts in a lot of effort to develop their juniors," she said.
Lucy has also found a fantastic community at the IAS.
“They have committed and passionate coaches and fun, and hard training sessions at the track that provide a great environment."
Lucy is inspired to follow in the path of Australia's elite cyclists.
“Josie Talbot is a Wollongong girl that is representing at a high level,” Lucy said. “She started with the IAS as well."
In Lucy's list of accomplishments so far, her victory in last year's state championship is a stand-out – yet she values the competition over the result.
“I had done my training in the build-up but had never been measured on a national level like that before,” Lucy said.
“However, it’s not all about winning, I just try to enjoy the process and do my best in the training and the racing.
“I have some great rivals in the NSW competition that always makes for great racing.”
This year, Lucy wants to clinch more state and national titles in road and track racing, and surpass her best times.
“Working hard to reach new personal best times is always very rewarding."
Despite her youth, Lucy dreams of challenging the top riders in Australia and around the world, envisioning a future in which she can measure her skills against the sport's elite.
“One day I hope that I can battle it out against the best in the sport just to see how far I have come."
Lucy knows she couldn’t have achieved such early success without a great team around her.
“We are lucky Wollongong has the Illawarra Cycle Club, they are a great bunch of people there that can get you started at any age.
“I would also like to thank my Mum and Dad, who not only are great parents but are my coaches, sponsors, managers, mechanics, team cooks, nutritionists, chaperones, and soigneurs.
“I have a great team.”
For more information about the Illawarra Cycle Club and how you can get involved, read this article.