Dubbo Cycle Club has dominated the national junior racing scene in recent times but it’s not just the young stars who are achieving success on the biggest stage.
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Simone Grounds collected the “holy trifecta” of road racing on the weekend when taking out the individual time trial, road race and criterium at the Australian Masters Road Championships at the Gold Coast.
It marked the first time a Dubbo cyclist had won gold in all three major races and Grounds admitted it felt “like a dream”.
“I’ve been a big believer in that you need to believe to make things happen,” the 41-year-old said.
“I’m old enough and got the experience to know if you can dream it then anything is possible.”
Grounds is someone who puts as much focus on the mental side of the game as she does the physical.
The experienced campaigner worked tirelessly with local coach Gus Dawson in the build-up to the national titles but she said that can only take you so far.
I’m old enough and got the experience to know if you can dream it then anything is possible.
- Simone Grounds
“It (mental side of racing) is incredibly important and just as important as the physical side,” she said.
“You’ve got to know how to manage your emotions – I was really nervous – but you’ve got to manage that and be prepared and be positive.”
Racing in the Women’s Masters 1-3 Division for women aged 30-45, Grounds won the time trial first up and she confessed that was the hardest event for a number of reasons.
Not only because the event wasn’t a focus for her in the past or the heat on the day, but Grounds went into the race after losing a beloved Auntie to cancer only the day before.
She confessed it took a lot to get through the time trial but she blitzed the competition and won by more than 90 seconds at an average speed of 45.7 km/h.
That was followed by victory in the criterium and on Sunday she stormed to a dominant win in the 56km road race.
Dubbo clubmate Heather Ticehurst also competed at the Gold Coast and finished ninth in the road race.
“The courses were great and so was the competition,” Grounds said.
“It was really good and enjoyable racing. Some racing can be negative but this wasn’t, the races were tough so that made it all the sweeter because I really had to earn it.”
Grounds’ success continued Dubbo Cycle Club’s incredible record on the national stage and she had nothing but praise for the team at home.
“The club is amazing and I’m so proud to be a part of the Dubbo club,” she said.
“It’s a great community and the coaches are fantastic and they’re always there and always reliable.
“I had so many messages of support while I was away and there’s also just a great range of talent across the age groups.”
Grounds is now enjoying a well-deserved rest but will be back on the bike soon enough to prepare for the track season and competing in the teams pursuit and individual pursuit at the state titles next year.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
