Rhodes rides to victory
After
five years in competitive cycling, UniSA podiatry student Alexis Rhodes is
really starting to taste success.
The 19-year-old has had a fantastic start to the year, winning the Australian Women’s Criterium Championships (held in Kapunda as part of the Tour Down Under last January), and coming second in the under-23 category in the Road World Cup held in Geelong in February.
Alexis says that although it can be a challenge combining her studies with a hectic competition and training schedule (which usually involves covering at least 600 kms a week) the balancing act is worth it.
“I’m interested in a career in health sciences because it’s an area with a lot of variety…and it’s been great that my lecturers have been supportive when I have to take time out to travel to compete,” she says.
Her ultimate sporting aim is to ride full time in Europe, the mecca of international cycling.
“Women’s cycling in Australia is getting bigger all the time, which is great, but there’s still a lot more going on in Europe.”
“I’m just trying to ride as fast as I can and see what happens. I don’t want to look back in 10 years and think maybe I could have been better than I was.”
Alexis will compete in the National Track Championships in Sydney this April. UniSA will be cheering her on.