Alice and Murray Culling will compete in the junior road cycling national championships in Bendigo at the weekend.
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Alice, 16, is a member of the Victorian squad and won three medals at the Junior Track Cycling national championships including two gold medals in February.
Alice has been cycling competitively for 10 years and said racing got the adrenaline pumping.
“I just love the speed of it,” she said.
There is expected to be around 240 riders involved in the three events.
Alice said she embraced the challenge of competing against others.
“It is going to be a lot tougher,” she said.
“There will be a lot more competition with more riders.”
Alice and Murray both spend between 150 and 200 hours a week training, including at least one session in Melbourne per week for Alice with the rest of the Victorian squad.
“This weekend will be my fourth national road championships,” she said.
When asked about other interests, neither could really think of any other than cycling.
“Cycling is pretty much my life,” Alice said.
“Not much except running,” Murray said.
This event is the peak competition in the junior age groups, but next year Alice will move up to the under-19 section.
“I cannot go to world championships until next year,” she said
“But I have raced against others who have competed there so that was good experience.”
Alice is sponsored by Seight cycling wear and Boardman bikes.
She is also hoping to receive a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship to continue pursuing her dream of representing Australia.