When you think of Women’s cycling of Australia, the mind immediately thinks of the Meares sisters, Kerrie and Anna. Despite them only being 24 and 23 respectively they have already dominated Track sprinting and left their mark on the cycling world.
In 2002 Kerrie Meares dazzled the crowd at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester Velodrome, when she emphatically claimed two Gold Medals in the 500m TT and Sprint. Unfortunately, since then she has been plagued with injuries that have stalled her career.
KM: “2002 was an amazing year, and I would still consider that to be my major achievement. I rode all my personal best times back then, and I believe the best of my ability is yet to come”
Kerrie in 1999 training for the Nationals, despite having crashed at the State Champs,
Photo: www.mearessister.com
Melbourne 2006 saw Kerrie show a glimpse of the potential she showed in 2002, when she claimed two Bronze medals in the 500m TT and Sprint. However yet again Kerrie experienced more injury setbacks, and despite being fit and healthy was unfortunately unable to compete at the 2007 World Championships in Mallorca.
KM: “Through out the year I have had moments of brilliance in training, but I had a 'series of unfortunate events' I guess you can put it, in the lead up to major events where I had to present myself to selectors for this years world titles.”
KM: “For the Sydney world cup in November my training preparation was not ideal so my performances were very flat. There I crashed in the keirin in a near perfect race which affected my performance at the Oceania games 5 days later in Melbourne. I couldn't bend my knee at all for 3 days, let alone walk on it. After a lot of physio I was able to do a full pedal rotation in time for competition. So for the Oceania Games I started performing towards the last days of competition which was the sprint in which I won the gold.”
KM: “But all the time trial opportunities were at the start of the competition and my body was still suffering from the crash. Then, the hammy tore a week before nationals. I was so shocked! I literally just did a hop on one leg and it popped, then ached and ached. But, after the prescribed rest, lots of icing and a few days of racing I was able to bring it together for the sprint to which I was successful in winning. This year the priority event for the women at world's was the team sprint and there were only 2 spots available”
KM: “So unless I was capable of doing a time the same as or faster then Anna's 200m fly, I was not going to be taken. So I had the opportunity to do 2 trials in Adelaide a week after nationals for the standing lap to qualify for the team sprint. At that stage Kristine Bayley performed a 19.6sec standing lap in the 500m time trial at the nationals, so that was the set time. Unfortunately overall I was only able to do 19.8sec.”
As expected Kerrie was disappointed to miss out on the Mallorca Worlds, although she is instead looking towards 2008 and the Beijing Olympics
KM: “Missing out on the Worlds allowed me to stay home for my first break/rest in years. I know this will do me a lot of good, it has put a massive fire in my belly and this has given me great motivation for next season. I now have the opportunity to focus on my needs for cycling and get a head start for next season.”
Obviously training for an event like the Olympics requires a great deal of planning and commitment
Anna in her 200m TT at the 2007 Manchester WC
KM: “Depending on the time of year and what training phase we are in, we have a varied training program consisting of track, road and gym, sometimes ergo.”
KM: “We don't do too much road, it ranges from 1 - 2 hours, mainly used for recovery, (
AM:) however there is a phase each season about 6 weeks long where we do more work on the road but that’s it.”
KM: “On the track we focus a lot on Strength, power and speed, which is executed in an array of exercises and ideas (ranging from fly's, starts, competitions with the boys, tactics etc).”
AM: “We generally would only do 4 efforts in a session but each effort is maximal. We work so hard in the effort that the allocated recovery time is between 20-30 minutes.”
AM: Gym is designed to target specifically the muscles we use most on the bike and the programs vary depending on the phase of training we are doing on the track and the road. By the phase I mean, Strength, Power speed etc (
KM:) with multi-joint exercises such as deadlift, squats etc, with progressive variations along the way.
AM: “I love lifting and getting strong. Our general gym session is about 2-3 hours long. We work our entire body, abs, arms, legs etc.”
KM: “Sometimes with the amount that the boys can lift, we get the weight lifters enticing some of us to join their club, its funny, but exciting to watch, (
AM:)yeah it’s where the fun is but also where the pain is, haha.”
Bearing this in mind, what training and racing advice would they give to any rider that wants to follow in their footsteps and become one of the best track cyclists in the world.
AM: “The secret is to want to do it as if you don't want to do it then it becomes a chore, whereas if you want to do it and enjoy it then you will put 100% in and work hard to see improvements and success.”
Pre-Sprint, a time for focus
KM: “I learnt from a valuable book of knowledge that I read a while ago to create a positive/constructive attitude, because your attitude reflects in your feelings, which in turn results in your behaviour to how you deal with things in life, and in competition (or pressure situations). So my advice would be, believe in yourself and in what you are doing, no matter what the majority might say - you are in complete control of your life, so the decision is yours, limits are there only if you set them.”
AM: “I also think it is important to lead a balanced life. Cycling shouldn't be the only thing in your life. Have hobbies and interests, educational goals and personal goals. With a balanced life and interests to keep you from becoming stuck in a rut, you'll find greater focus on what you love so much... cycling. And you won't feel pressure to do well because it is the only thing you have.”
It has been well-publicised that the Kilo and 500m TT have both been removed from the Olympics, a decision which both Kerrie and Anna are very disappointed with.
KM: “The fact that we have very limited events as it is (on the Olympic program), means it will reduce the opportunities for Sprint women and it will affect the future of this sport. The decision has affected many athletes’ lives, who have specifically trained the Time Trial for years and now have to change discipline to another event.”
KM: “Their event elimination selection for the Olympics is illogical, especially with massive petitions and uproars over the matter but surprisingly the decision still stands. Everyone I have spoken to about it, even from different countries say the same thing.”
KM: “For Anna's sake I hope it gets reinstated, but personally I would like to have the women's team sprint in as well.”
AM: “I am angry and disappointed! I think it was a very poor decision when you consider the unequal balance between the men's events and the women's. At Athens 2004 the balance was 8 men's events to 4 women's events. Now the logical answer to me is take out 2 of the men's events. Instead the decision was made to take out the time trials, an event that for the women had been fought for so long to be brought in only one Olympics earlier in Sydney. I don't understand! If you bring in an extra women's event to level the field, why take it out at the first opportunity.”
As they have just mentioned, both Anna and Kerrie started their careers in BMX, so this decision is one of mixed emotions.
KM: “It’s really unfortunate for BMX that it will receive a cold welcoming into the Olympic program as it is a wonderful opportunity for the sport I used to love. This came at a cost with the decision to remove an event from the track program, which made me feel very disappointed.”
KM: “BMX gave both Anna and myself a very ideal base to work with when we crossed over to Track. Thanks to BMX we had great acceleration and power, so when we tried track cycling (which had less obstacles in the way) we were amazed as to how fast we could actually go, riding in circles. After winning a few races, we got the taste for competition and our dreams started from there.”
AM: “I think it is terrible that one sport should have to suffer for the benefit of another. Of course BMX should challenge to bring their sport to the Olympic level. I for one starting my riding career in BMX, but another sport shouldn't suffer for it. I look at swimming and when you consider the amount of events they have, why not leave the events as they were and add BMX to it?”
Outside of the Olympics, the Women’s Team Sprint is a new event introduced to the 2006/07 calendar; many say that it is the perfect event for the Meares sisters, but what do they think?
AM: “I love the Team Sprint and I think it is great they are adding to our International racing program. I love to compete and the team sprint gives Kerrie and I a chance to compete with each other rather then against each other.”
KM: “I love it, I have never competed in a team event before and to team up with Anna is something special, somewhat of an advantage. I have been longing to do this event for years and when it finally was a reality, I just could wait to race.”
Kristine and Anna in the Women's Team Sprint
AM: “I agree it is the perfect event for us, however we have a lot of girls nipping at our heels who l am sure would love a shot at it too, which is great because it keeps us on our toes and working hard to earn the spots”
KM: “This is a great opportunity for sprint women, and with the calibre of competition at the moment, it will make a very close and exciting race.”
After clinching the Silver (Anna) and Bronze (Kerrie) medals in the Sprint at the 2006 Commonwealth Games both sisters were seen celebrating with family and friends in the Crowd and despite cycling for many years, it was the first time their parents had seen them compete at a Major event.
KM: “Our cycling career has taken us all over the world and unfortunately our parents were not able to travel, they usually watch us in local carnivals and the occasional state title in Queensland when we were juniors. So it was fantastic that they were able to come to Melbourne”
AM: “They are extremely proud of us! To say the least. It was extra special to have them there to see us race at the Melbourne Games because for so long they have made sacrifice after sacrifice for us and they hadn't had the opportunity to see what resulted from these sacrifices and their hard work. This was the perfect opportunity for Kerrie and I to show them what we could do; thanks very much to them.”
KM: “My dad is still saying today it was the best moment in their lives, they have never been in such an electric environment before and the amount of people that packed into the Vodafone arena was more than their home town population.”
KM: “When Anna and I do well, dad usually pats us on the back and tells us we did a good job, but at the games we got a huge bear hug and I believe it has bought our family closer together. My older brother and sister were there too, it was like a big family reunion. We don't get to see each other all that often through out the year, so when we do it is special and on this occasion, a memory that I will never forget.”
At the 2007 Australian National Track Championships despite setting 200m qualification time nearly 0.4secs slower than her sister, Kerrie dominated the Sprint Championships to claim the Gold Medal with victory over Anna. Obviously this isn’t the first time that the sisters have raced against each other so what are there thoughts about racing against each other?
KM: “I was very prepared for that race. Unfortunately I had micro tears to my hamstring a week before I had to race so I was unable to train. I decided to make use of my spare time by flying to Sydney to work with Sean Eadie on Sprint tactics. By the time the Sprint came it was day 3 of competition, and I had activated my legs enough through day 1 and 2 of competition to perform since having a week off.”
KM: “I don't panic or worry when I see qualifying times, I just do what I can do at my best (although its nice to qualify a little bit up the ladder) I remember qualifying beyond 16th in 2002 worlds and ended up in the race off for gold and silver!”
KM: “When I rolled to the line for the final against Anna, surprisingly I did not have any nerves. I felt strong in what I needed to do and there was no reason as to why I could not win. I was not afraid and I gave it everything I had.”
KM: “Fortunately for me I escaped from Anna's grasp due to some of her tactical errors, but that's sprinting. It took my 3 years to get that sprint title back off her; it was a great feeling wearing the jersey again. Anna was great, she was happy for me and we both look forward to competing against each other again.”
AM: “In the past I have struggled with the fact that I am racing my sister. It is hard to win and to lose against her. To win, I want to celebrate but I am conscious of her feelings from a loss. I know also that I am what stands between her and her goals and successes. To lose, I am angry that I got beat yet want to support her success.”
AM: “I have since learnt when I race Kerrie that this is exactly what I am doing. I am racing Kerrie Meares. She is from Australia and has this strength and this weakness. I treat her like any other competitor. The difference is that when I come off the track, she is very much my sister again. I need to separate the fact of sister and rival from each other and this is how I do it.”
Anna on the podium again collected yet another medal
With a brace of World, Commonwealth and Olympic medals between them, what do Anna and Kerrie see as the key reasons for their success?
AM: “I am a perfectionist. I hate doing something and not finishing the job. When I do something I put 100% into it. I believe that doing something half heartedly will only result in a half hearted reward. I get asked often what the secret to my successes are and I simply reply, Hard Work. Nothing worth while is going to come easy.”
KM: “Definitely determination! I have had tremendous highs in my career and I have had my low points. Having the motivation and belief in yourself and what you want, and having the guts to do the hard work. I have been cycling for 12 years and due to the lifestyle of an elite cyclist, a lot of sacrifices had to be made. But it’s all worth it, especially when your goals and dreams are getting closer each day.”
AM: “I want to know what I am capable of doing. I believe I am good at what I do and love a challenge. For a long time I was caught up in believing what could and couldn't be done. What was perceived to be the ultimate, pretences that put barriers up in front of me. I have since learnt to not listen to these pretences of what is and isn't possible. I now believe that possible and impossible is what you make it to be. For a long time it wasn't possible to break 34 seconds for the time trial.... I have since done it 3 times.... Impossible is nothing to me! It is more a challenge to prove it is possible.”
A lot of cyclists look up to you both as role models for both cycling and life in general, but is there anyone in cycling that you respect or admire?
AM: “Shane Kelly. I believe he is a great example of dedication and commitment. How many athletes compete at 4 consecutive Olympics and is looking at their fifth. He has stood on the Worlds podium 9-10 years in a row for the kilo! Amazing. He is also a genuine guy. He is easily approachable and willing to talk to you.”
AM: “I also have a lot of respect for many of my rivals. Like them or not, they are wonderful cyclists and women with passion and desire. If they weren't around it would be boring. They constantly challenge me and keep me on my toes.”
AM: “Lance Armstrong is an inspiration to so many and I am one of those followers.”
KM: “I respect and admire my sister, for the journey through out our careers we have done together and experiencing the highs and lows.”
KM: “For all she has achieved, she is very well grounded and is professional in everything she does.
She is a great role model for any new athlete that comes to the AIS for the first time.”
KM: “Ha, if she read this she would probably think I want something for being so nice, but I do mean what I said.”
However Anna also says the same about Kerrie…
AM: “Kerrie. I have said this to Kerrie and too many other people.
She never gives in. When faced with Hurdle after Hurdle, no matter how great or small, tough or easy to overcome, she overcomes them. She has shown me desire to achieve and to reach a dream or a goal. In the face of adversity she finds it within her to keep on keeping on. If anyone deserves to reach their dream it is definitely her.”
Both sisters agree that Sean Eadie is the most eccentric character that they have come across in their careers.
KM: “The beard in 2002 commonwealth games and world titles was amazing, it created a huge response all around the world, he is full of character, and is a great wealth of knowledge of Sprint cycling, teaching me everything I know. (
AM:) He’s a great coach and friend”
As we all know Anna claimed the 500m TT World title at the recent Mallorca World Championships, in emphatic style, breaking her own world record by a massive 0.3seconds!
AM: “I was second last off being the silver medalist from last year’s world titles. The times continually got quicker and quicker till it was my turn. The rider before me, Guerra of Cube rode a new personal best time of 34.0 seconds. Very impressive for only a second year senior (20yrs of age, 3 years my junior) Oh that feels weird to write and think... he hehe”
Anna sprinting to victory
AM: “I knew that because her time was good that it was possible for my time to be good also. I walked up to the track as my bike was set up meticulously in the gate. The Count down timer started and I was away. Big push on the first pedal stroke, a veered slightly down the track but got straightened up very quickly. I remember allot more about this race then my previous world records... why I think I know but will explain later.”
AM: “I remember the commentators were very loud and enthusiastic. The crowd grew in noise and support as I passed each half lap time point. My coach yelled at me as I went passed, I remember looking at him as I came out of the bend coming up to one lap to go and he was signaling for more... so I gave it. All I had in the tank! I gritted my teeth and pulled so hard on my time trial bars. I felt the pain in my legs get greater and greater with each pedal stroke. But I knew with each pedal stroke I was getting closer to the finish line. On the inside of the final bend my team mates sitting in the pits were banging and screaming on the glass barriers, directly across from them in the stands were my team mates that weren't competing that night, banging on the board fencing and screaming at the top of their lungs. I gritted my teeth even more and crossed the finish line.”
AM: “I looked straight to the score board as I could hear the commentators going crazy! NEW WORLD RECORD!!! NEW WORLD RECORD!!! I looked at the board and saw my time of 33.588 seconds. 0.4 seconds faster then Guerra of Cuba who had gone before me and 0.3 seconds faster then my previous world record. “
AM: “This time I didn't cry in amazement of my time, I didn't hold myself in surprise that I didn't think I could do it. I instead punched the air and punched it hard celebrating in a way I hadn't done before.”
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AM: “Previously I was a rider who didn't know I was capable of a world record, i.e. - the Athens Olympics; no one expected those results from me. I was as surprised as the next person I had that inside me.”
AM: “I didn't think I could go that fast, i.e.- The Sydney World Cup where I broke my world record after a terrible year battling and coping with an injury that people said I wouldn't recover from and wouldn't make the Commonwealth Games, so I was amazed and surprised to see that I had.”
AM: “This time I believed in myself. I believed that I was good enough to break the world record. I had done it twice before. I knew my injury was no more. I was in the best physical shape I have ever been in. I knew I could do and I backed myself the whole way as did my coach, although he had been doing that for 4 years now, this time I saw it and I believed it.”
Anna road the new BT Stealth at the Worlds and is amazed at how much more effective it is that the older version.
AM: “I love the new BT stealth bike. I was surprised at the difference from the old to the new. I believe it is stiffer and more responsive and for a sprinter that is what works! which is fantastic because I believe that I can still go quicker in the Time Trial. I want to achieve an 18 second standing lap and who knows from there”
I for one have the greatest confidence that Anna will achieve this aim. Witnessing her ride at the Worlds I can honestly say I have not seen a greater time trialling performance, it was sheer perfection. The atmosphere was outstanding, and the emotions Anna was going through both after the ride and on the podium were shared by everybody. What greater reason can we give the UCI and IOC for including both the 500m and Kilo TTs in the Olympic programme when an event climaxes in this way. It was the same in 2004 when Anna claimed Olympic gold…..
AM: “Winning Olympic Gold in Athens was incredible. I don't recall much of my race. It is very much a blank spot in my memory. I can only recall a few things. I guess I was very much in the moment. There was a lot of pressure riding last and knowing I had to ride better then an Olympic record and 0.2 seconds quicker then I had ever previously been to win. I remember crossing the finish line and looking straight up to the score board to see how I had faired and I could see a red box with the number 1 in it. I was ecstatic with emotion. I was trying to see the time I had ridden through my tears of joy and I was confused to see --.9 seconds. It took a little bit to register but it was when I saw the green box with WR in it there as well that I completely lost it! I screamed and cried and was so overcome with happy feelings. I remember riding around saying to myself... Holy Sh$@ Your Olympic Champion AHHHHHHH!!!!! I was so caught up in it that instead of taking one victory lap I took about 6. he he he”
AM: “I would definitely rate the Olympic win as one of the greatest achievements I have, however perhaps not the most special. I would save that one for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games where I won in front of my family. That was very very special indeed!”
Even with riders like Kerrie and Anna cycling, like in the UK, still is not a mainstream sport in Australia, so what do the sisters think can be done to change this?
KM: “Cycling is an exciting sport, with many disciplines (such as MTB, BMX, Road, Track) and anyone can ride a bike! More and more people are riding bikes each year and club memberships have increased through out the country, so more exposure of the sport would be ideal.”
AM: “It can be quite frustrating that cycling still isn’t mainstream, but that is the way the cookie crumbles for us. Sport is such a huge part of Australian Culture and History that there are an incredible amount of Sports here” There are sports that are most popular that are and are not Olympic Sports. I think we have certainly come along way as a sport but there is definitely a long way to go. Being one of the most often sports done on a recreational level here in Australia we are heading in the right direction.”
KM: “For individual athletes it gets hard to find external support such as sponsors, and its a bit more difficult for women in particular to make a living out of the sport, but it is getting a lot better, more racing opportunities and the future plans for the sport are very exciting (except of the decision to drop the time trials at the Olympics!).
The support that British Cycling offers it’s riders is widely accepted as being world-leading, but Cycling Australia’s setup isn’t that far behind.
KM: “Cycling Australia's mission is to develop and promote competitive cycling in Australia for the benefit and enjoyment of all members.”
KM: “The system is like stepping stones; first of all it starts at local club level. Then if you perform at state competition level you would be eligible for a State institute scholarship. This provides athletes with necessary funding (which takes a load off the parents finances) for clothing, travel expenses and a specific program for them to train with.”
KM: “Since most of these athletes are from interstate from the institute bases, the coaches liaise with the athletes personal coaches back at their home town.”
KM: “Each state of Australia has a sports institute, and they all link to the Australian Institute of Sport which is located in different areas of the country for different sports. The main base is in Canberra.”
AM: “As cyclists are discovered through clubs, they are given scholarships at these institutes working their way through as juniors, (
KM:)if you performed at a national level, you would get invited to the AIS to train, then if you continue to perform you are eligible for an AIS scholarship. Which in turn is similar to the State Institute scholarships but with more funding, access to the national program and to train with Australia's best track cycling athletes.”
AM: “Here they are trained as a group in Adelaide working with the best. From the Elite group in Adelaide riders for World Cups are chosen and some from State Institutes. Financial support is given from the state levels through to the senior levels however; the level of funding depends for each rider depends on their yearly performances. We have a tier system for all riders. At the Australian Institute of Sport as part of the scholarship offered to riders, their equipment is supplied and all their travel expenses are covered.”
With regards to life after cycling, Anna and Kerrie have discussed moving into Sprint Coaching and pursuing their various hobbies further.
KM: “Anna and I have an idea of doing some sprint clinics for kids in the country areas of Australia where cycling is very popular. A day of theory and a day of practise. This will help kids get a basic understanding of tactics to use, which will in turn help them achieve their best coming through into the senior ranks. I would like to continue cycling till the 2012 Olympics, so I will have plenty of time to think about it”
AM: “I’d love to give something back to a sport that has given me so much, so I think this is a great idea. I also have interests in Teaching, Business Management and Marketing.... and definitely having a family.”
KM: “I have a keen interest in marine biology; I would absolutely love to work in the worlds largest aquariums. I occupy myself with my fish tank projects in the home so my place is chocked with fish tanks! (Much to my fiancés dislike).”
KM: “I play a bit of piano, I am currently finishing off a fitness course, I work casually, and I love the computer and the internet. I enjoy building our website, www.mearessisters.com it’s been a fun and learning experience.”
AM: “I like to Garden, which is a trait passed down from my mother I think. I also feel a bit of an artist so I like to draw and paint. I also like to catch other sports and hang out with my husband and our friends.”
Unlike many of the British riders I have interviewed, both Anna and Kerrie take a different approach to the pre-race Rollers warm-up.
KM: “I actually don't listen to music when I warm up, I like being aware of my surroundings and environment and music distracts me. Sound like an old woman don't I! BUT, when I do listen to my MP3, I have a mix of classical, pop, rock and techno.”
AM: “When I race I don’t need to be psyched up because I am nervous enough as it is. So I opt for a more relaxing array of Music like Country.... Keith Urban and Garth Brooks. I also like to listen to pop like Pink and Greenday etc.”
With the popularity the Revolution Series growing and it rapidly expanding in scale, if the opportunity arose would Kerrie and Anna follow in Bradley McGee’s footsteps and compete?
KM: “Absolutely, I think it is a great concept for the future of the sport! I love competing and it’s a great opportunity to experience the competition though out the season and to have a great night with a packed arena full of excited cycling fans. It’s also an opportunity to give athletes of all levels exposure, recognition and to inspirer more kids/people to take up the sport.”
AM: “I would love to! However we are rather disadvantaged by the distance between our great country and Europe. Time taken out to travel to and from takes the emphasis away from the training processes and emphasis to perform well internationally. The toll all this travel has on us physically isn't great either. But I would certainly love to one day see and be a part of an event that is so great!”
On that note I thank both Kerrie and Anna for their time and wish them their uttermost success in attaining their goals. Hopefully they will be able to come over to Europe more for racing in the future and they’ll be welcomed with open arms. For more information on the Meares Sisters please check out their website -
www.mearessisters.com
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