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Alex Manly wraps up 2015 in style signing
with Orica-AIS for 2015 |
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December 12th 2014 |
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A successful first half of 2014 that saw Alex Manly claim the
Australian junior individual pursuit title, Oceania road time
trial title as well as the individual and team pursuit double
at the Junior Track World Championships was just the start of
things to come.
With only a quick break Manly was off to Belgium to prepare
for the Road World Championships. In her first professional
race while still a junior Manly finished 26th at the Lotto
Belisol Belgium Tour.
After claiming the bronze medal in 2013 in the junior time
trial Manly was a favourite to claim gold this year. A rainy
day faced the riders and as the last starter Manly took the
worst of the rain and went on to finish an agonising fourth,
less than a second off bronze.
Putting aside the disappointment Manly finished in the front
group in the road race. With National, Oceania and World
titles in 2014 Manly earned herself a contract with top
professional team Orica-AIS.
Below Manly talks her road worlds experience and signing with
Orica-AIS.
PelotonWatch: It has been a very successful year for
you. How would you describe it?
Alex Manly: It's been a bit of a crazy roller
coaster ride that's gone by very fast! I started the year off
as a roadie but now I guess I am both a track and road rider.
I have had ups and downs, travelled the world, faced new
challenges, learnt and experienced so much this year. I am
very grateful.
PW: You only had a couple of weeks break
after Junior Track Worlds before heading to Europe to prepare
for the Road World Championships. A pretty quick turn around
how did you handle it?
AM: It was hard to mentally prepare for road
worlds after having an amazing time in Korea. I had a bit of
time off to take things in and refresh myself for the next
trip. I then had to put my rainbow jerseys away and get back
into business very quickly. We had a week in Australia before
we left for Belgium. Handling it came down to the great
support I had from home, SASI and our little crew in Belgium.
It also made it easier knowing that Macey was in the same
boat, we were able to help motivate and reassure each other.
PW: You spent the weeks ahead of Worlds
riding kermesses in Belgium. How important are these for your
development?
AM: They are great for team bonding and
learning tactics to implement at the worlds. The experience
will stay with us throughout our cycling careers. The bonding
helped Macey Stewart, Anna-Leeza Hull and I to fill 3 of the
top 4 places in the world ITT.
PW: Your final preparation was the Lotto
Belisol Belgium Tour. What was it like riding with some of the
best in the world including names like Vos and Johansson?
AM: It's insane. I look up to Vos and
Johansson and riding next to them in the peloton was very
cool. It was an amazing experience and I learnt some very
valuable lessons.
PW: You finished 26th overall as a junior in
an elite race against many of the worlds best. Were you happy
with your performance?
AM: I was really happy, I made a few mistakes
so finishing 26th was a good confidence boost going into
worlds. I was able to believe the road legs were coming back!
Just in time!
PW: Moving on to the World Championships. After claiming
bronze in the time trial and top 10 in the road race last year
what were you hoping for going in?
AM: I had set personal goals to finish at one
place better in both events. From last year's experience I
knew going into the races that the Australians had a really
good shot of doing well. We have the best coaches and support
you could ask for. Were in good form and knew the course well.
It was just left to race day.
PW: You missed a medal in the time trial by
less than a second. How disappointing was it?
AM: I was very overwhelmed at first. It
wasn't the best day for me but I learnt a lot. The day started
off overcast and slowly the weather conditions turned bad. I
was last off and by the time I was about to race the rain had
gotten very heavy. As I was called up onto the start line with
one minute before my race, I looked over to see Donna [Donna
Rae-Szalinski - junior women's coach] waving
frantically at me. She was supposed to be in my follow car so
I wasn't sure what had happened. Confused I went over to find
out my race radio had died, this meant I wasn't going to get
any information the whole race. Mentally I didn't overcome
this properly until 10 minutes into the race, where I turned
my frustration into motivation. Things that you can't control
go wrong. Part of being an athlete is learning how to deal
with setbacks and unexpected issues at critical moments. I
didn't cope great after the time trial and was gutted but
looking back on the day I see the positives, I have been able
to grow a lot from the experience and it's certainly helped
with character building.
PW: In the road race you were in the mix all
day. Finishing in the front group in 11th. Were you happy with
your ride?
AM: I was happy and excited to finish in the
winning bunch, but once again a little disappointed as I
didn't achieve my goal. The first few laps I think as a team
we rode very well, we kept to our roles and did what we had
planned. I made a few mistakes in the critical pointy end of
the race. But once again I've learned more lessons that are
only going to help me in the future.
PW: In your first 3km individual pursuit at
the South Australian State Championships you rode a 3:37.
Happy posting such a competitive time in your first 3km IP?
AM: Going into the race I had no idea what to
expect. Jason Niblett (my coach) had a really good idea of
where I was at and set me on a time that I am still yet to
find out. I trust that he knows how to get the best out of me
and it worked. I went out a little too hard and couldn't find
a rhythm, but am really happy as it was my first one and has
set me up well for omnium nationals.
PW: It was announced at the start of the
month you have signed with Orica-AIS for 2015. Must be
exciting to move from the junior ranks in to one of the top
professional teams?
AM: It's a pretty crazy step but one I am
looking forward to! I love racing and riding my bike and am
very grateful for being given the opportunity to race at
professional level. Being the youngest on the team I only
expect to develop over the year and to contribute all I can to
the girls.
PW: How did the contract come about?
AM: It took a lot of planning from the CA
coaches and staff. They believe this opportunity will best
help us (Macey and I) develop as riders. We were lucky to be
pulling off a few results in the right place at the right
time.
PW: What are you looking forward to most
about your first professional road season?
AM: The profile of women's cycling is on the
rise (thanks to SBS and websites like Peloton Watch) and I am
really looking forward to being part of it, travelling to
Europe and racing amongst the best in the world.
PW: Before then though you still have track
season. What are you big goals for the remainder of the
2014/15 track season?
AM: I am still just going with the flow and
seeing where I sit in the elite women's peloton. I haven't set
myself any major goals just yet. The National Madison is a
great event coming up in Melbourne next week. My Madison
partner Danielle McKinnirey and I will give it a real good
shot.
Alex Manly on route to gold in U19 Australian Individual
Pursuit
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