Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College (BTAC) student Amaya Shaw was recently interviewed about her success in becoming the 2024 National Cross Country Mountain Bike Series Under 17s Women’s Champion.
A longer version of this Q&A featured in BTAC’s Kalabara publication.
Q: Congratulations on becoming the National Series Cross Country Mountain Bike U17s Women Champion! How does it feel to achieve such a significant accomplishment in your sport?
A: I feel extremely proud of my achievements, especially in a sport that is relatively new to me. I have always loved riding mountain bikes with my family, but never dreamed I would be an Australian Champion! This achievement has developed over the last 9 months where I realised I could be very competitive in the sport.
Q: Can you walk us through your journey to becoming the National Series Champion? What were some of the challenges you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
A: This time last year, I was racing, in the All Schools Mountain Bike Series here in Newcastle and at various tracks on the North Coast of NSW and as far west at Tamworth.
My parents asked me if I wanted to complete in the NSW state Titles in Nowra. It was a very successful weekend where I found myself on the podium both days of racing in the XCC (short course) and XCO (long course) disciplines with two silver medals.
After this, I travelled to the ACT State Titles in Majura, Canberra.
Again, I found myself wearing gold and bronze medals for two days of racing. After the Australian Championships in March, I then started the National Points Series Championship in February. This series involved five tough rounds of XCC and XCO racing at different trails interstate.
I received gold and silver medals at each of the rounds I raced, and was coming equal first place with another rider, going into the final round of racing. Round 5 was my last chance to take the win. I managed to put more than a minute time after the first lap of the extremely challenging wet course over my opponent. I held my lead over her for the rest of the race, and that’s how I won gold on the national series!
Q: During the races, what strategies did you employ to stay ahead of the competition and ultimately secure the title?
A: I love this question because, in the sport of Cross-Country Mountain Bike, you have to very quickly work out what the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents are and use these to your advantage.
For example, I discovered my biggest rival doesn’t ride well in wet slippery conditions, isn’t a technical rider, and really doesn’t like when I sit on her wheel. She likes to chase and not be chased. This forces her to make mistakes on the course so I can then ride away from her. This is ultimately how I took the series win.
The final round was wet, brutally hilly, and extremely technical. The start is very important too. The race can be won or lost if you enter the single track in a position that doesn’t match your original strategy.
Q: How do you maintain focus and mental resilience during high-pressure races like the national series?
A: The National Series trails were extremely technical, and I needed to stay focused, calm and maintain a strong and positive mindset. I enjoy overcoming my fears, and I have realised that I can get my body to do whatever my brain tells it to do. I use my adrenaline to work for me and try to not overthink anything when I am completing technical obstacles – don’t think, just do.
You can’t hesitate, and you also can’t let your rivals see any weaknesses you have, especially on race day.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring mountain bikers who aspire to compete at a national level?
A: The best advice I can give is, just give it a go! Start with local races, ride as much as you can, and don’t let yourself get worried about not succeeding the first time. You can’t always have a race that goes all your way. In this sport there are so many factors that affect your results. You just have to be willing to give it a go, and ride to your own capabilities.
Q: Outside of training and racing, how do you balance your athletic career with other aspects of your life?
A: I am fortunate to be part of the Gifted and High Potential Athlete Program at Bishop Tyrrell. This really helps support playing, training and racing in two sports at an elite level. I have a teacher mentor to help me manage my school life and sport commitments. All my teachers are understanding of what I am managing as a year 9 student and are always supportive in every area of my schooling.
This year I am also playing football for the Central Coast Mariners Reserve Grade Under 20s squad, so I train three early mornings a week on the Central Coast before school. My games are in Sydney or on the Central Coast. The Mariners have been very supportive of my mountain bike racing, which is wonderful as well.
Q: Lastly, what does being the National Series Mountain Bike Cross Country Champion mean to you personally, and how do you hope to inspire others through your achievement?
A: I’m still getting used to the idea I’m a National Champion, but I do know that I feel so grateful for the opportunities I have been given along the way to being an Australian champion. There is nothing now I won’t give a go. Amazing things can happen when you are doing things you love to do.
