World cycling championships 2022: Aussie schoolgirl Bronte Stewart ready for ride of her life

This Australian schoolgirl has the best ever excuse for not studying for her HSC for the next week or so - and it involves her taking on some of the best teenage athletes in the world.

From the moment Bronte Stewart jumped on a bike with no brakes at the age of eight she was hooked on cycling.

Now, less than a decade on, the NSW youngster is about to embark on the ride of her life as she makes her world championship cycling debut for Australia.

It’s been a year of firsts for the youngster who will contest this weeks U19 time trial and then the weekend’s road race at the 2022 world cycling championships being raced in Wollongong.

“It was my first time to Europe, first time in a peloton bigger than 30, first time in a big international race and my first time riding in Australian colours,” said Stewart, who hails from Wagga and the Tolland Cycling Club.

“It was also my first time living away from home and my first time eating snails - I’d do that again.”

Bronte Stewart riding the U19s Women’s Tour of Gippsland earlier this year. Pic: Con Chronis

Year 12 student Stewart said making her world championship debut even more special is the fact she will be wearing a new Australian kit with some Indigenous inspiration.

“I come from an Indigenous background as well so this just adds another layer of connection for me,’’ said the tiny powerhouse who is just 158cm and 50kg.

But once her racing is over the 17-year-old will return home to continue studying for the HSC.

“I have to go back to do my final exams,’’ said Stewart whose goal is to race at an Olympic Games and in Europe professionally.

“I’m thinking I’d like to do something in sport psychology.’’

Young cyclist Bronte Stewart is out to make a mark in cycling at the world championships.

Stewart started cycling after her brother broke his arm playing footy and needed to try a new sport.

“I was just dragged along and started to nag mum and dad to race,’’ she said.

“The coach said when are you going to quit dancing and come and ride a bike. I was just eight and I just fell in love with it.

“I started on the track. They just threw an eight-year-old on a bike with no brakes and I just loved the thrill of it.’’

Australian Grace Brown during the women’s Individual Time Trial on Sunday. Pic: Con Chronis/Getty Images

For the past year or so Stewart has been focusing on road racing with her efforts earning her a spot in her first Australian cycling team.

“I like the endurance of it, going uphill and downhill, the variables, going overseas and racing in 100 plus bunches of girls. I love the adrenaline rush. It was uncomfortably uncomfortable and I loved it,’’ she said.

AUSTRALIAN GRACE BROWN WINS WORLD TIME TRIAL SILVER

Around 1000 riders from 70 plus nations are competing in Wollongong at the championships.

All up, 13 gold medals will be awarded across elite, under 23 and junior men’s and women’s racing.

(L-R) Silver medalist Grace Brown of Australia, gold medalist Ellen Van Dijk of The Netherlands and bronze medalist Marlen Reusser of Switzerland.

It is the second time Australia has hosted the world road championships with the racing previously held in Geelong back in 2010.

On Sunday Victorian Grace Brown won her first world championship medal with her silver in the individual time trial.

The 30-year-old set a cracking pace early only to be beaten by the final rider of the day - defending champion and Dutch cyclist Ellen van Dijk from the Netherlands.

Brown is now only the second Australian to win silver after Anna Wilson in 1999.

The U19 Australian women’s team competing in Wollongong: Talia Appleton (Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club/Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club, VIC), Belinda Bailey (Bendigo & District Cycling Club, VIC), Isabelle Carnes (Balmoral Cycling Club, QLD), Bronte Stewart (Tolland Cycling Club, NSW), Lucinda Stewart (Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club, VIC)

MORE FROM AMANDA LULHAM HERE