29 Oct Foundation Rider Jamieson Keen To Mentor Younger Riders in 2019
Mike Greer Homes Womens Cycling Team is excited to have foundation rider Amanda Jamieson back to share her European experience and skills to help mentor and develop our younger riders. Amanda had strong performances in UCI races including 8th Young Rider in Tour Down Under and Suntour, 10th SwissEver GP Cham – Hagendorn and 15th Flanders Diamond Tour
Amanda is without question a rider born to race. She thrives in technical and challenging race environments and has a unique skill to read a race and choose race winning moves. She has done this several times for MGHWCT in our first 3 years as a team culminating in the inaugural National U23 Road Race title in 2017 on the back of Calder Stewart individual and team titles in the preceding years.
Team Manager, Patrick Harvey has seen Amanda fight back from tough situations and remain cool to succeed in the finale. “A true racer never gives up, they have self belief and understand that cycling is like a game of chess, you have to wait for the right moment to make the winning move! Amanda’s National U23 title in 2017 was a perfect example of this!”
Amanda has had a tough few years racing in Europe with injury and illness taking its toll but with resilience and determination Amanda hasn’t lost sight of the dream and used the hard times to gain more experience and to learn to pull out good races even when the body is less than willing.
Harvey also believes through these tough times Amanda has really matured as a rider and developed a natural mentoring and leadership role for riders around her. “I was super impressed with Amanda at the Women’s Jayco Suntour in 2018 where Amanda took the younger riders under her wing to guide them through one of the toughest races of their lives. The conditions where oppressive and emotions were stretched but Amanda helped the young riders in our team and the National team to cope with the pressure and approach the racing in a positive way. She managed this while also having a great race herself – that’s how leaders are born!”
A big part of what the MGHWCT is about is learning how to race as a team and preparing our riders for international racing where to succeed can only be through team effort, not individual brilliance. “The best riders are nothing without the support of a solid team around them and for NZ riders that have had to achieve on their ‘own’ this is often a hard concept to grasp”. Harvey see’s Jamieson’s international racing experience where she has fulfilled many different roles for her team critical in teaching the teams young riders the importance of a team approach to cycle racing.
MGHWCT are also looking forward to assisting Amanda with a different start to her season by racing all the key Oceania races before she joins her Watersley R&D International Women’s Cycling Team in April. “We believe by having a strong start to her season in the Southern Hemisphere including the Oceania Championships, Amanda will be well prepared for her best season yet in Europe” Harvey says.
To get a further insight into our riders we asked a few questions, here is what Amanda had to say:
Why do you love cycling?
“The freedom it gives me. The places I’ve travelled and the people I’ve met. It’s opened up a whole new world in my life, and become a pure addiction. There’s always new challenges, you’re constantly pushing your body to new limits, over coming fear and thriving off adrenaline rushes. Cycling is a whole community in itself, anywhere in the world you feel a sense of family. It doesn’t matter who you are or what kind of bike you’re riding, it’s sharing the passion and you know you’re never alone. Plus nothing beats the pride you feel accomplishing goals and getting the results you work so tirelessly for.”
What are your most memorable experiences so far in your cycling career?
“Winning the U23 Elite National Road Championships in 2017. I can’t think of any other race in my life where I have been so happy I couldn’t stop crying!”
Who is your cycling idol?
“Annemiek van Vleuten / Kate Courtney (mtb) ”
Who best represents the type of cyclist you would like most to be like?
“Pauline Ferrand-Prévot”
What is the ultimate race you would like to experience?
“Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) / Strade Bianche ”
What is your favourite indulgent food?
“Peanut Butter or anything with Caramel ”
What do you hope to accomplish with MGHWCT in 2019
“From a team perspective I’d like to pass on my knowledge and experiences to the younger riders and help guide them throughout races, both on and off the bike.
From a personal perspective I would like to showcase my strengths and achieve positive results both in NZ and overseas when competing for MGH.”