Lismore mountain biker to represent Australia

It was a last minute decision that set Hayley Oakes on her way to international glory in the world of cross country mountain bike racing. See what’s in store for the blistering young gun.

Hayley Oakes has been making a name for herself in the world of cross country mountain bike racing since taking out the Mountain bike Australia National Series‘ U15 as a then 13-year-old.

Just a few years later Oakes stole the national crown at the AusCycling National Championship U19 Women’s XCO division at just 16 years of age.

The blistering young gun is well on her way to international glory after being selected to represent Australia for AusCycling’s European Cross-Country camp this month.

She will join seven of Australia’s top Under 19 mountain bike riders to get a taste of life as a professional athlete when they travel to Europe on April 18.

Outstanding Northern Rivers cyclist Hayley Oakes, 17, took out the Australian Women's Under 19 Mountain Bike title in Tasmania in 2021 when she was only 16.

After returning from an injury Oakes attended the Oceania Championships held at Nerang in late March.

“I found out I had been selected there when I talked to a member of the selection panel,” Oakes said.

“I was so surprised, obviously excited but mostly surprised.”

Went to ‘race and have fun’

Deciding on chance to race at the Oceania Championships was the decision that secured her a spot Oakes said.

“It was so close to home and despite my lack of form I chose to race and have fun, and that would be the decision that secured me a spot on the Australian team for 2022 and a chance to compete in the green and gold.”

After completing her HSC at Emmanuel Anglican College in 2021 Oakes now resides in Queensland.

“I have actually moved to Brisbane for training, but still spend a lot of time down there (Northern Rivers),” Ms Oakes said.

First time overseas

Head coach and managing director of Progressive Coaching Systems, Donna Dall said the trip to Europe will be Oakes’ first time overseas.

“It’s certainly the next level of competition,” Dall said.

“The field is a lot larger – say 30 up to 50 other riders will be in her age group compared to a handful here in Australia.”

Ms Dall said the European courses will be slippery, steeper, muddier, present more obstacles such as tree roots and more boulders that will challenge the Australian riders.

“This first trip will expose her to this level of competition and then we’ll focus on what she needs to do for Les Gets in France later this year,” Dall said.

Oakes has been working closely with Dylan Cooper from rideTECHNICS on her skills and technique to prepare herself and said the key will be to have an “open mind when pre-riding the courses”.

Oakes said the biggest challenge for her will be leaving her family and boyfriend in Australia.

“It will be unfamiliar not having them at my races, but I am so grateful that my coach, Donna Dall as well as my mechanic from Trek Shimano Australia, Pete Dowse will be there, so I will still have great support.”

Winning like an ‘addiction’

Ambitious from the get-go, Oakes said winning eventually became “almost like an addiction”.

“I felt that if I didn’t win, I had let myself, family, sponsors etc down,” Oakes said.

“After my injury I was able to refocus these unhealthy performance goals to process goals, which has really been a turning point for me as a person and athlete.”

Oakes said the camp is a great opportunity to prepare Australian junior athletes for the demands of the World Championships in France later in the year.

“I will definitely be trying to learn as much as I can so when I go back later in the year, I will know what to expect.”

Hayley Oakes, 17, took out the Australian Women's U19 Mountain Bike title in Tasmania in 2021 when she was only 16 years old.

Interim Director of Performance Pathways, Australian Cycling Team, Donna Rae‑Szalinski OAM said Hayley was selected on the basis of her performance at key mountain bike events this year.

“The Europe trip is part of the development process in our high performance pathway,” Ms Rae‑Szalinski said.

The experience is more than “a camp” as it will also offer athletes the opportunity to experience the lifestyle demands faced by Australians competing internationally.

“Both factors combine to provide young adults with insights into their current position as an athlete and to hopefully inspire then to continue on the pathway,” Ms Rae‑Szalinski said.

The athletes will represent the Australian Cycling Team in the UCI’s Junior World Series (JWS) events in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

XCO Events

Bike the Rock, Heubach Germany (HC & JWS) – Sunday April 24

Ötztaler Mountain bike Festival, Haiming, Austria (HC & JWS) – Sunday May 1

UCI World Cup, Albstadt, Germany (WC & JWS) – Saturday May 7

UCI World Cup, Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic (WC & JWS) – Saturday May 14

*Three U23 riders will also join the J19’s in the Europe camp. They will compete in two Hors Category (HC) events and two World Cup (WC) events at the same locations.