The Toowoomba trio excelling on bikes and motorbikes at all ages

Whether it be on bicycle or motorbike, our Toowoomba athletes are proving that the game can be changed at any age. We look at three stars excelling in their chosen fields.

Taylah McCutcheon, Georgia Say and Anne Elliott.

NO matter the age, our Toowoomba stars are showing that anyone who puts their mind to something can be a gamechanger.

Whether their bike has a motor or not, this trio are notching up big achievements in their chosen fields.

The Chronicle caught up with Anne Elliot, Taylah McCutcheon and Georgia Say, giving us an insight into their sporting journeys.

ANNE ELLIOTT

With the amount of time road cyclist Anne Elliott has competed in, her achievements would seem impossible.

Alas in a short amount of time, the 53-year-old already boasts appearances at the nationals and worlds, and now national golds.

Earlier this year Elliott travelled down to Victoria where she competed in the Masters Road National Championships in Ballarat.

“The Masters road racing championship was delayed three times last year. It was meant to be held on the Sunshine Coast,” she said.

“I peaked twice for the event, before it was shuffled into a combined run with the Road National Championships.

“On day one I took out the Australian championship for my age group (MW5) in the individual time trial. We started at Federation University and went on a 18.9km hilly and technical course.

Cyclist Anne Elliott. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“The next day a team of all Queensland women entered into the 150 category and we were able to take out that title as well.”

Previous to that Elliot had taken out the Queensland Masters Women’s Championship, Women’s B-grade Championship and the MW5 Championship for individual time trialling.

The results over the last 12 months in particular have been on the back of an incredible level of dedication to her craft.

“For me it was all of 2021. It’s such an ongoing thing and you look to build months and years of experience,” she said.

“The pointy end of training takes a lot of dedication and tenacity. I have a coach that sets me a program and there’s a lot of stuff I have to go out and do by myself.

“You just have to put in a lot of solid base kilometres. I’m not a fan of the indoor trainer, I much prefer to be outdoors.

Cyclist Anne Elliott shows off her recent medal haul. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Going to the nationals exposes me to what standard is required at that level.”

What makes Elliott’s success extraordinary is how new she is to the sport.

“I’m in my fourth year of racing. I started out at the Darling Downs Cycling Club crit track, jumping in with the men and progressed onto states and nationals,” she said.

“I was riding for about 10 years at a recreational level and taking my son out to the crit track. I thought maybe I could do this.

“In 2019 I qualified for the worlds in Poland and I keep reflecting on how grateful I am that I took that opportunity.

“I’m really blown away and appreciate that I’m in a position to be able to do that. All the things in life that were able to add up and make it possible. I’ve had some great support from this community across the Darling Downs.”

Elliott has also broken the state record for MW5 throughout her racing journey.

With a potential trip to the 2022 worlds in Italy on the cards, Elliott’s story shows that determination and a drive to succeed will flourish no matter how late you get into a sport.

“It’s cliche to say, but you have to give it a go,” she said.

“You have to be prepared to lose a lot to be competitive in that sort of arena.”

TAYLAH MCCUTCHEON

There’s only one way Taylah McCutcheon knows how to ride, without fear.

The 17-year-old motocross rider has enjoyed a consistent level of success in recent times, with some lofty goals on her mind for the future.

Her journey started like many, with a keen family interest seeing her hope on the back of a bike before she was old enough to attend school.

“I started riding when I was about four years of age and competing in racing when I was five,” McCutcheon said.

“I started straight away with motocross. Dad used to have me on a quad tie a rope to the back and follow me around.

“My family is very supportive and they’re always right there for me. Nothing would be possible without them.

Taylah McCutcheon and Georgia Say (at back). Picture: Nev Madsen

“Travelling away together brings the family closer, and when I win a big race, it makes all the long days of travelling worth it.”

A star rider throughout her junior days, McCutcheon is preparing to take the next step up to senior level, which will see her link with Honda.

“Because of Covid we haven’t had many races over the past two years,” she said.

“Now that I’m in the seniors I’m looking forward to competing at the nationals and my main goal is to win it.

“I’ve been training hard this whole off-season just to reach my goal. As much as on-bike training is crucial, off-bike is so important. You have to be able to last in those tough moto races.

“If I can win, it would be a major plus for my family, the HRC team and I.”

One of McCutcheon’s most recent successes saw her defeat all comers and genders in the MX2 Expert 16 and up category.

“Some races don’t go to plan and the boys can be a lot rougher in them. It’s important to get a good start and hang in there,” she said.

Former national champion Taylah McCutcheon. Picture: Rodney Stevens

“When I won the MX2 I rode safe and smart all year and stayed consistent.

“Every now and again some try and take you out, but there’s not a target on females. If we didn’t want to play rough, we wouldn’t be in it. You get used to it.”

Despite the challenges associated with racing against the boys, McCutcheon said she uses the experiences to her advantage.

“Racing against the boys is the biggest advantage us females could have,” she said.

“You learn to be aggressive and learn to want to win. When you transfer that to the girls moto, if you have a fast female rider close to your speed, do what the males do to you.

“Whoever wants it more will win.”

As for her future plans, McCutcheon is aiming for the pinnacle of the sport in the coming years.

“Within the next years I definitely want to have a nationals under my belt and I want to win the senior nationals,” she said.

“Hopefully after that I can head over to Europe and compete at a women’s worlds.

“The more I get older and harder I train, hopefully I can come away with a women’s worlds title. That is my biggest goal.”

GEORGIA SAY

Bikes were never really on the radar for Georgia Say, but once they came into sight she was hooked.

Say has been riding for five years, moving from team sport onto the powerful machines.

“My brother started riding before me. I just used to spectate and watch him. Then I decided to just give it a go,” she said.

“I went straight for the motorbike. It was a big step for me. Before all I was doing was netball. It was a bit of a leap but something different to try.”

It’s a move Say is glad she made as she continues to progress further in the sport.

She said the camaraderie is something she enjoys greatly, identifying one facet as a key to a good race.

Taylah McCutcheon (left) and Georgia Say. Picture: Nev Madsen

“It’s just fun,” she said.
“I enjoy meeting new people, riding with my mates and having a good time. It’s a big adrenaline rush, especially at the starting gates.

“The biggest thing is to get in a comfortable position at the start gates. I like to feel comfortable, try to get a good start and keep in front.”

The 15-year-old competes in the Junior Lites 250 class, and a strong showing at the women’s titles last year has her determined to push for further success in the immediate and distant future.

“We do a lot of local riding, but also travel a fair bit for series racing,” Say said.

“I ended up coming second at the women’s titles last year in my class.

“In every other series I compete against the boys. It can be a bit intimidating but it’s good fun and they do push you a bit.

Taylah McCutcheon (left) and Georgia Say. Picture: Nev Madsen

“(For the year ahead) I mainly just want to get up on the podium and improve on my skills, that’s the main goal.

“I’ll go to the Queensland women’s titles again and would like to go one position better.

“This is my last year as a junior. Next year I’ll be up in the women’s class which will be exciting.”