Hi, I’m Maddie. I am 19 years old. I’ve been riding bikes for as long as I can remember. It’s always been a big part of my family. I started racing about 12 years ago and have progressed from there. I mainly race cross country mountain bike and cyclocross.
How did you get in racing?
I’ve been riding bikes for as long as I can remember, and it’s always been something I’ve loved. I joined my local club, Bronte Tykes, when I was around seven years old, and through that I started taking part in local races.
My first national series race was as a first-year Under-14 rider, and that was when I really started to get into racing more competitively. From there, I continued to progress through the age categories and develop as a rider, leading me to where I am today.
What’s your favourite discipline?
Cross-country mountain biking is definitely my favourite.
I enjoy the variety of courses and the fact that every race presents a different challenge. My favourite courses are those with fast, flowy descents and technical features, as they reward good bike-handling skills and make the climbs feel worth the effort.
Favourite place to ride and why?
The Tweed Valley in Scotland. I’ve spent a lot of time riding there over the years, and I always enjoy going back. There’s a huge variety of trails and always something new to challenge you, whether you’re training or just out for a ride. It’s also close enough that I can get there fairly easily.
I also love riding in the Alps. The combination of long road climbs and amazing bike parks makes it a fantastic place to ride.
Do you do any other sports?
I've really gotten into going to the gym over the past couple of years. It's something I really enjoy, and it's also had a huge positive impact on my cycling.
What is your got to race day breakfast?
A bowl of coco-pops always seems to work well for me.
Favourite place to race and why?
I have had to opportunity to race both cross country and cyclocross world cups and they never disappoint. The courses are always challenging and the atmosphere created by the crowds is incredible. My personal favourites so far have been the XCO World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě and the Cyclocross World Cup in Hulst. Both venues have demanding courses, fantastic support from spectators, and create an atmosphere that you don't get anywhere else.
What are your aspirations?
My main aspiration in cycling is to continue racing competitively while balancing my studies at university, where I’m working towards a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering. I want to keep progressing as a rider, but most importantly, I want to continue enjoying the sport and maintaining my passion for riding. Looking ahead, I’d also like to branch out and try different types of racing, such as gravel events and enduro races.