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The AIS Women's Team Diary 2005
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The AIS 2005 squad with coach
Warren McDonald
Photo: © AIS
Cyclingnews has been pleased to publish a diary contributed
by the members of the Australian
Institute of Sport's Women's team as they conduct their European campaign.
For 2005, the team had a new lineup, including Amy Gillett, Katie
Brown, Jenny Macpherson, Kate Nichols and Alexis Rhodes, who joined existing
members Lorian Graham and Louise Yaxley to form a tight crew to take on
the world.
On Monday, July 18, 2005, everything changed. In the light of the
tragic event that took the
life of Amy Gillett and put her five team-mates in hospital, the AIS women's
road cycling program has been suspended. We believe the fighting spirit
these athletes have displayed on the road will extend to their recovery
from their injuries and we hope one day to once again bring you their
stories in their own words.
Also see:
Index to 2005 race reports and entries
AIS Women's Team - 2005
Riders
Alexis Rhodes, Amy Gillett, Jenny MacPherson, Louise Yaxley, Lorian Graham,
Katie Brown
Head Coach
Warren McDonald
Katie Brown
Team Nickname: Charlie
Date of Birth: 02/02/1983
Place of Residence: Menai, Sydney
Favourite place to train: Training and I don't get on
Year started riding: Started BMX at the age of four, changed to
road cycling at 16
Greatest sporting achievements: Second at BMX worlds; also winning
the Swiss Junior road race World Cup
Goals for 2005: Win a race and make the road World Championships
Team
Most embarrassing moment: I embarrass myself all the time
Greatest achievement: making it to 22 years old
Favourite food: My mum's roast
A person you most admire: My parents (legends)
Pet hate: Half wheeling
Favourite place in the world: Nice, France
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Louise Yaxley
Team nickname: Yakkity Yak, Harry (Halfwheel)
Date of Birth: 12/08/81
Place of residence: Penguin, Tasmania
Favourite place to train: Tassie, It's got the lot; hills, flats,
wind and rain
Year started riding: 1996
Greatest Sporting Achievements: 7th in Maglia Pasche Time Trial
(Sui) 2004, 3rd in Geelong Tour Time Trial 2004, 4th on GC Geelong Tour
2004
Goals for 2005: Complete Tour De L'Aude, survive a full European
season, qualify for World Championship team
Most embarrassing moment: It takes a lot to embarrass me...nothing
springs to mind
Greatest achievement: Yet to happen...
Favourite food: Anything and everything! Mum's Chocolate Self Saucing
Pudding, and Salt and Pepper Squid are definite top tens.
People you most admire: My Parents.
Pet hate: People who take their time
Favourite place in the world: Still undecided; there's no place
like home though.
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Jenny Macpherson
Team nickname: Macca
Date of Birth: 21/04/77
Place of residence: Melbourne
Favourite place to train: The Dandenongs, Melbourne
Year started riding: 2002
Greatest Sporting achievements: 5th in 2005 Wellington World Cup
Road Race, Winner of 2005 The Advertiser Criterium Series, 2nd Overall
in the 2005 Jayco Bay Criterium Series
Goals for 2005: To make the most of my opportunity of riding with
the AIS and further develop my skills as a professional road cyclist.
Most embarrassing moment: Watching my car go down the banks of
the Yarra River, sink, and have to hire scuba divers to attach the tow
rope to my car to be dragged out.
Greatest achievement: Yet to be achieved...
Favourite food: Chocolate
A person you most admire: Kieren Perkins
Pet hate: People who are late
Favourite place in the world: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lorian Graham
Team nickname/s: LG - Life's Good
Date of Birth: 8/11/1977
Place of residence: Brisbane, Queensland
Favourite place to train: Mt Nebo/Glorious
Year started riding: 2000
Greatest sporting achievements: 2005 Australian Open Women's Road
Cycling Champion and;
- 2004 World Cup series win with the Australian Women's Team.
Goals for 2005: Stop breaking bones! Plus secure a spot for 2005
World Championships Team and make the 2006 Commonwealth Games Team.
Most embarrassing moment: Falling off my bike at the lights in
front of McDonalds.
Greatest achievement: So far, winning the National jersey at the
2005 Australian Open Women's Road Cycling Championships in Adelaide.
A person you most admire: My mum
Pet hate: People who can't pronounce my name right!
Favourite place in the world: Garda Lake, Italy
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Alexis Rhodes
Team nickname: Big Al.
Date of Birth: 1/12/1984
Place of residence: Kersbrook SA
Favourite place to train: Kersbrook
Year started riding: 1999
Greatest sporting achievements: 1st Women's Points Race Sydney
World Cup 2004, Junior World Pursuit Champion 2002
Goals for 2005: Lose weight, gain life
Most embarrassing moment: Hitting a lap counter on the track.
Favourite food: Anything really
People you most Admire: My parents
Pet hate: People who only want to know you when you are winning.
Favourite place in the world: Adelaide
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Amy Gillett
Team nickname: Betty
Date of Birth: 09/01/1976
Place of residence: Bunninyong, Victoria and Port Douglas, Queensland
Favourite place to train: Great Ocean Road, Victoria and Lake Como,
Italy
Year started riding: 2001
Greatest sporting achievements: 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Women's Eight
Goals for 2005: To master the art of time trialling, actually commence
my PhD, and most importantly to give my husband plenty of loving
Most embarrassing moment: A few too many!
Greatest achievement: Getting Married
Favourite food: Ice cream and Sashimi
A person you most admire: My husband and Mary and Denis.
Pet hate: People who only want to know you when you're winning
and soggy pasta!
Favourite place in the world: Our palace at Bunninyong and Low
Isles at Port Douglas.
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