04 Nov Connie Excited To Challenge Herself As An Elite
Connie Obrien brings determination and courage to the team and is excited to test herself in bigger and more competitive fields in 2019. Her standout 3rd placing in the U19 Oceania Championships in Tasmania this year on a challenging course and tough conditions shows that Connie is more than just a sprinter, in fact the tougher the course the better she likes it.
Connie is another of the new breed of young kiwi women wanting to take on the world in cycling and is committing to her passion to see where it takes her.
Team DS Patrick was very impressed when he first worked with Connie at the Inaugural Jayco Womens SunTour at the start of the year “We went out on a limb convincing the organisers that our U19s had what it took to race at this level. Watching the race unfold at a frenetic pace on probably the hardest course in Oceania was nerve wracking but Connie took it in her stride. Connie crashed around 40k in but handled it like a seasoned professional, quietly sipping on her drink and then chasing back to the peloton.”
“I knew Connie had raw power and a great finishing kick but seeing her battle to stay in touch in the very hilly sections at Suntour showed she had guts to match her obvious talent – that’s what makes a great rider!” says Harvey.
A big part of succeeding as a rider is how you behave off the bike and we were very impressed by Connie’s professionalism and preparation and how she fitted into the group so well. “You soon get an idea from riders who is a team player and who is only looking after themselves, Connie definitely came across as a team player.”
We are very excited to see how Connie progresses this year and her aggressive style of riding, not afraid to take a chance is just what the MGHWCT are looking for.
To get a further insight into our riders we asked a few questions, here is what Connie had to say:
Why do you love cycling?
“I love cycling and the comradery that comes with it, the variety of people you meet along with the friendships you make. I also like the satisfaction gained by the amount of effort put in when building upto an event.”
What are your most memorable experiences so far in your cycling career?
“he most memorable experience I have so far would be riding with the top women cyclist at the Herald Sun Tour.”
Who is your cycling idol?
“Georgia Williams”
Who best represents the type of cyclist you would like most to be like?
“Georgia Williams”
What is the ultimate race you would like to experience?
“Giro Rosa”
What is your favourite Womens UCI team?
“Mitchelton Scott”
What is your favourite indulgent food?
“Hot Milo with Malt biscuits and Whittakers Chocolate ”
What do you hope to accomplish with MGHWCT in 2019
“I hope to gain overseas race experience and also learn the dynamics of working in a team during my time in the MGHWCT”