Rachel Neylan, Cyclist
01/22 2010 Posted in Blog | 4 comments
Just 4 years ago Rachel Neylan competed in her first cycling race – Green & gold, stage races, the European peloton and world cups and were only a distant vision…
“The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.” – Vince Lombardi
The late transition from elite runner to international cyclist was sparked by will, spirit and a few remarkable life changes in late 2007 – Sydney to Adelaide, full time profession turned to hours in the saddle and running shoes to pedals…
Abus Nutrixxion for 2012
I am happy to be writing about my plans for the 2012 European season… as the new colours I sported during Saturday’s National Road Championships suggest, I have signed a 2012 contract with professional UCI team Abus Nutrixxion
It was a fantastic feeling to be able to represent Abus Nutrixxion with a podium performance in my first race in the bright new attire. I am very much looking forward to a new year of opportunity with the German based outfit, a team international riders including fellow Aussies Belinda Goss and Emma Mackie.
Stepping Up – A Debut Podium at Aussie National Champs!
Yesterday was one of the most important races on my calendar, the Australian National Championships, staged at Mt Bunninyong in Victoria where the prestigious Green and Gold jersey is up for grabs.
I raced to the best of my ability physically and tactically and landed with a podium finish and the Bronze medal, extremely happy with the result. Congrats to Green Edge’s team racing especially Amanda Spratt on a great ride to take the title and Tiff Cromwell on Silver.
I’d had a big few months of preparation leading into this race and was extremely focused and motivated training in Adelaide under Tim Decker, SASI, whom I have to thank for investing time, inspiration and passion into his coaching.
Huge thanks to my sponsors friends, family for your invaluable and ongoing belief and support.I am happy to start the year on the podium and looking forward to the 2012 season in Europe!
A Universal Thank You
As 2011 draws to a close I wanted to take a minute to reflect on what a year it’s been… and most importantly to pay gratitude to a few important people who continue to support, guide and inspire me.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past… brings peace for today & creates vision for tomorrow “
Every moment, hour, day, week and year I get to spend following my dream – training, racing and pushing my body to its physical limits, physically maturing and mentally strengthening as an athlete… I am thankful.
Indeed 2011 was mildly tumultuous as my first season as a professional cyclist – an early season injury and sickness, limited race starts, an unfortunate rift in the team’s management and then a fractured pelvis putting me on a plane home to Australia.
However that’s not the way I want to remember 2011, those are merely rude punctuations!
The reality is that it was another wonderful year full of adventure, lessons, fruitful
relationships, hard work, and satisfying personal achievements…
I’m another year older and wiser as a cyclist and professional athlete and if I were to weigh all the feathers I’ve consciously taken to put in my cap from a multitude of experiences – I think I’d substantially tip the scales.
I am incredibly grateful to all those who have supported me throughout this year;
Team Diadora Pasta Zara and Directors Manel Lacambra and Diana Ziliute for the racing opportunity this year. I am fortunate to have worked with some world class women, Claudia
Haeusler, Shelley Olds and Amber Pierce, team mates to name a few, whom I will undoubtably miss in 2012.
Warren McDonald my faithful, inspiring and ever giving coach for sharing time and expertise throughout the European season.
Tim Decker and the South Australian Institute of Sport Cycling Program for the support in recent months. Kenneth Graham for all the sports science input – always willing to share the best physiology, travel and recovery advice. Tracey Gaudry great friend and mentor sharing many invaluable minutes of guidance and experience.
To all my sponsors;
SRM for the ever so satisfying look in the eye of truth during training! However not only for the equipment but for some enjoyable off the bike work and being part of my family in Europe.
Jurlique for the joy of a clean face after a long day on the bike!
2XU for clothing me and compressing my legs in times of fatigue
Endura Sports Nutrition for the replenishing goodness with great tasting training and recovery fuel
BikeExchange for the guidance, generosity and willing support
ATS Altitude for the ability to train (and suffer) in high places
Lezyne for making morning routine of pumping tyres a pleasure and puncture repairs bearable
Liza Emanuele elegantly frocking me up for spots of fun and life off the saddle
Brookfarm Macadamia Farm for the most amazing breakfasts and training snacks on the planet!
Complex Australia for the innovative recovery modality and getting my muscles firing and rapidly accelerating rehab
Berlei for the support in all the right places, dare I say more!
Aussie Butt Cream for a little essential and all natural protective love down under!
Fuji Bikes Australia for generously giving the me a bicycle to ride these past months after I sent the team edition back to Italia!
Finally but certainly not least of all my dearest friends, mentors and family.
Thank you all… don’t underestimate how far your assistance goes in making opportunities possible, dreams imaginable imaginable and goals a reality.
I am looking forward to a big, bright and brilliant 2012 and I hope to continue sharing it all with you…
Amy’s Gran Fondo
Wade Wallace - Cycling Tips Has summed it up perfectly…
“For all of you riders who were too cool for school and didn’t think riding Amy’s Gran Fondo was PRO enough, you missed out in a big way. Seeing over 2500 keen cyclists line up along the beautiful seaside town of Lorne was a phenomenal sight. Riding along the twists and turns of the Great Ocean road without a single vehicle was magic. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Yesterday I was one of 2600 cyclists that had the privilege of a unique occasion – racing on an iconic Australian road, fully closed. It was indeed special not only for that reason but signaling the first Gran Fondo staged in Australia… affirming that cycling is not only giving rise to Aussie bums on the Pro Tour podium, but indeed changing for the people… matching world class mass participation events for our ripely growing population of cyclists.
Women’s Fuji Supreme 2.0
It was an extremely generous gesture from Oceania Bicycles – the Aussie distributor for Fuji Bikes to do their bit for the Amy Gillett Foundation and sponsor my trip to the Gran Fondo over the weekend.
Since it was the first time my incredibly unique and very ‘un-camouflaged’ team edition bike had been out among the Aussie public it received a warm reception and I was asked a lot of questions… hence I thought it was fitting to write a little piece on the hot little purple, yellow, black, white and silver trimmed machine.
The stand out features for me are it’s super light frame, stiffness and ultimately combined with being women’s specific geometry makes for brilliant handling – competitive yet versatile performance capabilities. “Really versatile,” “racy,” “enthusiastic,” “friendly, fun handling” – latest review via BikeRadar
Rachel Neylan is a fast progressing road cyclist climbing the ranks of Australian and International Women's Cycling. From runner turned cyclist, in late 2008, the passionate and ambitious 28 year old has promptly progressed... In 2011 Rachel will be competing on the European UCI circuit and will race with the new professional Women's cycling team Diadora - Pasta Zara. “I am a passionate about elite competition, and all that it entails - the daily physical challenges, the technical ability, the mental discipline, and the camaraderie with other elite athletes.
I enjoy the ability to share my journey with others, engaging people along the way. Through the medium of rachelneylan.com. I hope to take my family, friends and sponsors around the world with me from ambition to accomplishment in the exhilarating sport of world class cycling. This is a gesture of my appreciation for all your support along the way!" 