Mum helps set record
YOU would never imagine the secret to Alicia Harris’ success. Pasta, risotto and a Berocca and Coke.
It is hard to question it, however, given where she now stands in the nation’s cycling records.
Harris travelled to Brisbane with the Townsville Cycle Club last week to compete in the Queensland State Juniors and Masters Cycling Championships.
At one point she took part in 11 consecutive races, her regimen proving effective in getting her body prepared for each event.
But before that stretch the wheels were truly in motion as Harris geared up for the 2000m team pursuit.
Along with two riders from Brisbane and one from Toowoomba, the 45-year-old clinched the national record with a collective effort of 2:32:975 – eclipsing the previous best of 2:24:605 in the open masters women.
Upon learning of the feat, the elation acted as fuel for the rest of her races.
“You’re not a type-a personality if you’re not looking to crack something,” she said.
“I saw we had potentially broken it and got pretty excited about it but didn’t want to get too ahead of myself.
“Later that day I was just warming up for a race and (a Cycling Australia representative) came over and gave me the double thumbs up and I was so excited.”
The fact it was only eight years ago when she began cycling is a testament to Harris’ abilities. Much of that, she said, has to be attributed to her husband and coach Matt – a prominent cyclist himself.
Before the record-breaking achievement there was a special moment for Harris.
Nerves have never been in her pre-race ritual, but having her son Ethan hold her at the starting gate made the achievement more special.
Harris finished the championships with six gold medals, two silvers and a bronze.
She and her team next head to the national championships in March to defend their accomplishment.
“We know who our main competitors are so we just have to try and hang onto (the record) because we know they’ll be trying to catch us.”