Australian Road Cycling Championships: Rachel Neylan hopes to do dad proud in Bendigo

RACHEL Neylan needs no motivation to win at the national cycling championships but says the memory of her father who died in August will be driving her to the line.

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong and district, Victoria. Womens Elite road race. Winner Rachel Neylan crosses the line.

HAVING finished second, third and fourth at the national championships, Rachel Neylan needs no motivation to win in Bendigo on Saturday but says the memory of her father who died in August will be driving her to the line.

Neylan bravely flew to the US just days after her father, Anthony, lost his battle with cancer to contest last year’s world championships in Richmond.

She described the past four months as “extraordinarily tough” but has emerged more motivated than ever to claim the women’s road race title in her first race for Orica-AIS on home soil.

“It’s been a pretty massive rollercoaster for me, he (Anthony) was a huge supporter of my cycling career so I hold him in my heart pretty proudly,” Neylan said.

“Obviously I’m motivated for a big result, I was motivated when I put on the green and gold (at the world championships) straight afterwards.

“My dad has given me a lot of inspiration and freedom, he’s been one of my best mates and has totally supported my whole cycling career from the word go.

“I’m always motivated for a national championships, I’ve come fourth, third and second, so it could be my year but to be honest we’ve got an extraordinarily strong team.”

The 33-year-old said the start of 2016 compared to 2015 was like “chalk and cheese”. This time last year she was without a professional contract and was racing for her career every time she hopped on to the bike.

But finishing second in the national championships and then winning the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race made pro teams take notice and Orica-AIS came calling.

“This time a year ago I knew I was going to go to the world championships and race in Europe but I had no team and no plan for Europe,” said Neylan, a world championship silver medallist in 2012.

“All I had was a good inner circle of a coaching network in Brad McGee and the support of NSWIS, I had my own personal backing which is pretty deep inner strength from lots of trials and tribulations.

“It was all or nothing last year but this year there is a bit more tactics involved and the ability to go all-in for a team result.

“We’re extremely focused on bringing the green and gold jersey to Orica-AIS.

“For the first time ever in Orica-AIS colours on Australian soil, it’s my first national championships with a full team and I couldn’t be more excited to have a good hit-out on Buninyong with these girls.”

Originally published as Australian Road Cycling Championships: Rachel Neylan hopes to do dad proud in Bendigo