Katie mixes it with the best
TOWNSVILLE’S Katie Lawlor has proved she can match it with Australia’s mountain bike elite after the 2017 MTBA Downhill National Championships at the weekend.
Lawlor ( right) was crowned the third- fastest elite female rider in the country after three days of fierce competition at the Wyaralong Dam trails on Mt Joyce.
The national titles attracted a strong field including Tegan Molloy and Lisa Mattihison, but current Queensland champion Lawlor produced a blistering ride in the seeding run to be just 2.75 seconds from the No. 1 spot.
Fast times were expected on race day with the trail in top condition and Lawlor was the third- last rider to come down, posting an impressive time of 2: 49.51 to slot in to first place.
Sian A’hern ( 2: 46.91) and new na- tional champion Ronja Hill- Wright ( 2: 44.71) bested her time, but Lawlor said her podium finish made all the hours she spent training on Mt Stuart worthwhile.
“When I woke up so early to go train or the amount of time I spend thinking about how I can improve my skill, fitness, and overall performance — it was all worth it,” Lawlor said. “Being No. 3 did not come easily. “It was challenging, there were hours of hard work, there were tears, and there were most definitely doubts.
“However, this weekend was amazing because I no longer have any doubts about how fast I am or what I am capable of achieving.
“This next year is going to be really exciting.”
Lawlor said her national success was just the confidence boost that she needed to become one of the top riders in the sport. “I’m on a mission to be the best downhiller I can possibly be and at the same time have the most amount of fun, all in hope of reaching the Australian team and racing world cups,” she said.
“I’m excited to get through the bad times and the good times, because I know there will be a bit of both.”