13 Nov #MentorToSUCCEED Program All Go For 2019
A key goal for our team has always been to utilise the skills, knowledge and on and off the bike experience of senior NZ women riders and role models. Road cycling is a brutal sport that takes time and commitment in all facets of your day to day life and having access to riders that have been there and done that will definitely help the transition from juniors into successful Elite riders. We are excited to announce that in 2019 we will kick of our #MentorToSUCCEED Program with three riders from different ends of the professional spectrum – Rushlee Buchanan, Mikayla Harvey and Amanda Jamieson.
Rushlee Buchanan: One of the most, if not the most successful NZ women cyclist on the track and road with huge respect in the womens peloton. Rushlee has already helped our girls over the last few years and has been a sounding board for ideas on how we can further develop the team and advocate for womens cycling in NZ. What Rushlee can provide for the girls is priceless and goes so much deeper than just how to ride a bike fast. We are very excited to be associated with Rushlee and her advice and support will be invaluable.
Mikayla Harvey: Taking a big step in her professional career in 2019, Mikayla will be racing for Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team. The opportunity to keep a connection with Mikayla for our younger riders will be fantastic as she takes up this amazing opportunity in Europe, racing at the highest level and at some of the biggest races on the womens tour and in team with a huge reputation for developing riders. Having an insight into what Mikayla will experience and what she learns and the advice and connections she can provide will be fantastic for our young riders.
Amanda Jamieson: Amanda has been putting in the hard yards building her racing and experience resume with 3 seasons in Europe under the belt. She has some amazing results already as an U23 and looks to lift again in 2019 with MGHWCT and then back to Europe with Watersley R&D International Women’s Cycling Team. Amanda has the real life experience of living and racing in Europe, sometimes in challenging conditions and has learnt resilience and adaption when things don’t go to plan. What she has learned on the ground will be invaluable for the team as riders look to race internationally and move to Europe for racing blocks in the future.
Not only will Rushlee, Mikayla and Amanda provide insight and knowledge they will also provide they key inspiration for our next generation of cyclists by engaging with our developing riders, so critical in keeping our riders in the sport and showing a pathway does exist and dreams are possible.
We will hear from each of our mentors over the coming weeks to see why they are so keen to be involved in this program and how they can help our riders.