Interview Isabelle Carnes

In her first year as U23 rider, it didn't take long to get used to race in a new category. Already on her second race day, Isabelle Carnes took the national time trial title against her new peers. Later this year she did the same at the continental level and dived into European racing as well. With these results and experiences in the bag, the 19 years old rider from Townsville is ready to do even better in 2024. She tells about her experiences, ambitions and desires in this interview. 

You started 2023 very well with immediatly U23 titles at both the domestic as continental level. How did you experience both victories?

The start of 2023 was super exciting for me! Being my first year as an u23 I really didn’t know what to expect so winning the u23 national title was super exciting and really set me up for the rest of the year!

In the Tour Down Under you were racing for the first time at the World Tour level. How was it to race against some of the best in the World?

Tour Down Under was definitely an exciting and nerve wracking experience! I’ve grown up cycling since I was u9s and have followed the women’s world tour for a couple of years so to be a part of it especially at a home race was super special!

In Spring, you did a couple of races in Europe. What did you learn from this period?

2023 was my second year racing in Europe after doing a stint in 2022 with the national team. Every race was a completely new experience and I loved being able to get amongst it and keep on learning! This year without the summer of cycling I’m super keen to get over there and purely focus on racing in Europe!

What do you see as your strenghts?

Being my second year in 2024 as an u23 I’m still learning my strengths but so far I absolutely love time trialling and have found success there! However, im really looking forward to developing other skills as I grow!

When did you started cycling and how did you get into the sport?

I got into cycling super young through my sisters and my dad! Growing up in Townsville we always used to go for rides which lead to me trying out the velodrome where I immediately just fell in love. From there, I got into racing and have progressed through the junior ranks to now being an u23.

What do you expect of 2024?

2024 is a bit different than what I’ve been used to. After recovering from a hip operation at the end of 2023 the focus will be on the European season which will be super exciting! Sometimes as Aussies we head over to Europe a bit tired from the summer so I can’t wait to see where things end up with just the European focus!

You’re currently studying Engineering & Science. What interests you about these subjects?

I’ve always been a science nerd going through school so when it came to study it was an easy decision. I’m currently studying chemistry and chemical process engineering and the two work perfectly hand in hand and are also something completely different to cycling.

Who would you like to be in 10 years?

Hopefully the next 10 years hold some pretty exciting things! I think my biggest goal is to one day win the world time trial but am also really looking forward to 2025 when they add the u23 women’s racing to worlds! 2032 is also my hometown Olympics which will definitely be a very big goal of mine

Sophie Sutton : The Australian CX Mission

The Australian Cyclocross Mission

While most cyclocross riders only started their season in October, many riders in Australia are already riding through the mud in April. During last Australian Winter, Sophie Sutton set a determining result. At the end of the season, she crowned herself as the national champion by winning the U23 nationals. Her result convinced the national federation to select her to represent Australia abroad. An honour that she accepted with both hands. The 19 years old rider from the Gold Coast will have her first European campaign this Winter. An adventure where she both wants to have an impact on & off the bike. 

She discovered the bike at the age of eight. He father was a volunteering at the local mountainbike events, and little Sophie was joining him. This happening sparked interest by her and made her ask him : Can I have a go and race too? It was the start of a journey that brought her so many new friendships and beautiful memories.

In 2018, she also discovered the local Australian cyclocross scene. The pumping music, the cheerful spectators and the courses itself attracted her to the sport. In Australia, the cyclocross season runs from April to August with the national championships as highlight. This year, she would also like to compete in the European Winter season. She will take part at the Worlds in Czechia and aims to test herself at a few World Cups in the weeks before. 

Her participation is more then just racing itself. Encouraging others and make the sport as inclusive as possible are also very important to her. Her personal idol is Anna Maeres, an Australian track cyclist that is known for her will power. The way that she was inspired by her, she also wants to inspire others that anything is possible.

As every young cyclist, from Down Under, the sport and getting to races is unfortunatly also practically callenging to her. Especially in an Euro centred sport like cyclocross and without Olympic status, it's very hard for Australian cyclists to receive financial support by the national federation and it's hard to organise training and race support as a solo rider. The same situation applies to Sophie. Her friend Justin set up a fundraising to bring her the necessary finally support to be able to live her cyclocross dream and shine at the World stage. 

Personally, she hopes that her Worlds participation can keep opening new opportunities for her in the sport that she loves to do. As a second year U23 rider, she hopes to wear the Australian colours in the coming years as well and to represent the green & yellow at home and abroad. Apart from just the sportive aspect, Sophie Sutton is in the first place a young motivated girl that wants to improve herself both on & off the bike, that wants to develop mental strenght and feel self wellbeing, as an athlete as a human. Let the coming Worlds be the start of an incredible life journey.

You can support Sophie's dream through this funding :

https://gofund.me/a5879197