Athlete Profile – Emily Wordie-Thompson
Emily has been an athlete of Kelly Cycle Coaching since mid 2008. She steadily and methodically follows her training program, gives frequent feedback on how she is coping with her training, and her self-discipline paid off when she won the Country Road Championships recently.
Kelly Cycle Coaching chatted with Emily about her training and other things, and here is what she had to say about everything.
Congratulations on your Country Road Championship win in Newstead. Can you tell us how you won this race? Where did you attack? Did you look back or just put your head down and time trial?
Thank you, I won this race by attacking up the main climb of the circuit about 7km from the finish, I time trialed home but I couldn’t stop looking back to see where the girls were so that I could keep pushing myself away from the group and to the finish line.
How old are you Emily?
I’m 15 years old
- Emily warming up for her time trial
Have you always lived near Ballarat? What club do you belong to?
Yes, I’ve lived in Gordon ever since i was born and I’m apart of the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club.
Did you play other sports before you started cycling? Did you train for these sports?
I’ve done a few sports before cycling, such as ballet and jazz, gymnastics, softball and soccer. I did Ballet and Jazz for about 5 years which I practiced 3 times a week, a lot less than training now.
How old were you when you started cycling?
I was 12 when I started to really get into cycling and start racing competively.
What school do you attend and what is your favourite subject?
I attend Ballarat and Clarendon College and my favourite subject would have to be either Art or PE
Do you know what you want to do after high school yet?
I’m not really too sure what I’m intending to do after I’ve finished year 12, I’ve thought about joining the police force or something similar but I’m still deciding.
Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?
Yes, I have two dogs, Pugsley and Lucy, a cat named Tiger, a goat Aidie and a few cows and peacocks
You ride on both the track and the road. What are your favourite events on the road and track?
My favourite event for road would definitely be a nice hilly long road race and for track it would either be a long scratch race or points race.
What type of track and road bike are you riding right now?
At the moment I’m riding an Azzurri Mezzo Elite road bike and an Azzurri Sprint track bike
Do you have a favourite training ride (ie around Ballarat or somewhere else) that you really enjoy? And do you have a favourite training session that you think has helped make you stronger?
My favourite training ride would be our Club’s championship circuit close to home, it’s a very hilly course going through Gordon, Mt Egerton and Ballan. It has lots of steep climbs and undulating terrain.
My favourite training session would definitely be strength endurance training which I think has really helped my overall strength and ability to climb hills.
What is your most enjoyable race you’ve competed in on the road and track?
The most enjoyable race I’ve competed in would have to be the road race up at nationals in Canberra last year. Though I didn’t place it was one of the best performances I think I’ve done, I was first home for Victoria and I’ve gained many friendships and memories from the week up in Canberra.
What are your goals for this road season? What is your next race?
My two main goals for this road season is to win the state road race and to make the victorian road team. The next race I’m competing in is the Shepparton Junior Tour on 19th and 20th of June.
Well, thanks for the interview Emily. Good luck in your next race.
Thank you