CYCLING: With a strong end to 2015 and a wealth of experience in the saddle, Shara Gillow is hoping a second shot at Olympic glory will have a golden finish in Rio.
The 27-year-old Queenslander had her chances cruelled of pushing for a road race medal in London in 2012 after she dropped a chain 10km from the finish in tough conditions, before she finished 13th in the individual time trial.
As the 2016 Games draw closer, Gillow is hoping that her experience in London can help her make her second Australian Olympic Team before going on to become the nation’s third road cycling gold medallist next year.
“My dream when I first started cycling was to represent my country at the Olympic Games which I did in London,” said the daughter of 1980 Zimbabwean Olympian David Gillow.
“But going to your first Olympic Games with all the hype and atmosphere is tough.
“I think everyone needs a first Olympic Games if they’re going to go for gold because the event is so big and it’s hard to know what to expect.
“I know what to expect now and it will be great to push for gold in Rio.”
Gillow’s aspirations are well founded after she managed to add another World Championships medal to her long list of achievements last month.
Her Rabo Liv team finished just under a minute behind the gold medallists as they edged out fellow Australian Annette Edmondson’s Wiggle Honda team for the final spot on the team time trial podium.
“I was really happy with the bronze which was my third World Championships medal.
“We were really hoping to get the gold but coming away with the bronze was still pretty special.
“It’s been a different season for me. After switching teams I had to find my feet.
“Result wise it has been a bit different but towards the end it has gotten a lot better especially at the World Championships.”
After a busy season Gillow has taken a well-deserved break to recharge the batteries before competition again intensifies in the lead-up to the Rio Games.
“I’ve just had three weeks off the bike that I spent with family and friends and lots of surfing and different cross-training.
“I’m now easing back into it really slowly as we come towards the National Championships in January.
“I’m doing different cross-training like swimming and activating muscles that you usually wouldn’t when you are cycling.”
Born and raised on the outskirts of the Sunshine Coast, the Nambour athlete has also spent her time off inspiring students from the area to follow their Olympic dreams.
“It’s nice being a local and seeing some of the kids here aspiring to be elite Olympic athletes,” said Gillow who visited Coolum State High School midway through October as a part of the AOC's 'Meet with a Champ' program.
“I remember athletes showing me a gold medal that they’d won and talking about the Olympic Games.
“Those Olympians made me aspire to go to the Olympic Games and be like them, which is why it’s special that I can now talk to students about my Olympic journey.”
After her break Gillow will set her sights on becoming a dual-Olympian as the road to Rio heats up.
“I really want to make the Australian Team for Rio.
“Of course there is big competition but I am confident in myself.
“You just control the controllables, train really hard and do everything possible at each of the selection events to put yourself in the position to be selected.”
Gillow’s next chance to push for a second Games appearance will be at the National Road Championships (January 6-10) where she will be aiming to win her sixth individual time trial event in the past six years.
The Oceania Championships and results throughout next year’s European season will then be crucial ahead of team selection as Rio draws closer.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
