Alex Meyland (Year 12 Galen Student) last week received the exciting news that he has been accepted into the U19 Australian Mountain Bike Team.
Selection to the team occurred over a 12 month period. Alex trained and raced with 60 others in the Australian Development Squad. This squad was reduced down to 10, based on their team skills, race results, performance in training and projected ability and skill levels. Alex was then 1 of 5 members of this squad who were selected to form the U19 Australian Mountain Bike Team. They will all represent Australia at the World Championships in Champery, Switzerland, on September 1st this year.
Alex’s discipline in mountain biking is known as the Cross-Country Olympic Format. It includes both uphill and technically demanding downhill components. Competitors have to complete 5 laps of a 4-7km circuit which takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Alex’s training regime includes riding 6-7 days a week, and some days will see Alex complete sessions both in the morning and again in the afternoon. His future plans are to stay with the Australian Development Squad with the long-term view of competing at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Alex leaves Australia on the 14th August. He is nervous about the event, but also very excited. Australia’s ranking in this event is low which means that he may not get a great starting position and will have to work hard to get up to the front of the field. He hopes to finish in the top 30 out of the 120 competitiors. Alex, we congratulate you for your selection to the national team and wish you all the best with your goals!