Quinn Findlay
Women’s Racing Project (WRP) Team

Quinn Findlay

Women’s Racing Project (WRP) Team

March 18th marked the beginning of my three-month trip to Italy for my first taste of the European lifestyle and more importantly, cycling. I am grateful to have been selected for the Down Under Cycling Academy, based out of Illasi, Italy.  

The first two weeks were a rude awakening for me, after never being away from home and family for extended periods, let alone on the other side of the world. We were greeted by Italian rain which was accompanied by what I would consider freezing temps (I am a soft QLD’er though). I became sick and almost bed-ridden, unfortunately missing the first race. Inevitably, I was super disappointed but had to make the hard choice to be on the mend faster.  

The training terrain has been nothing short of incredible, breath-taking views and unlimited bergs (Mountains). Average speeds have been rather demoralizing, but I have surprisingly become fond of riding uphill all day. They do lead to better views after all. After getting back into a good training rhythm I found some legs just before testing with UAE women’s coach, Luca Zenti. We underwent Vo2 testing to measure the amount of oxygen uptake in millilitres per minute. Luca was very knowledgeable and provided an amazing experience that left us with our Vo2 reading and both aerobic and anerobic thresholds. Despite sickness, I was reasonably pleased with my result seeing a slight jump in threshold.  

Our race season looks promising with the first UCI 1.1 race kicking off on the 14th of April, being Grand Prix Feminin de Chambery. The following weekend is Giro Mediterranerosa another UCI start, being a 2.2. The 25th of April is another 1.1, GP Liberazione, which is a prestigious 6km circuit throughout the center of Rome. UCI races are ranked numerically based on difficulty and length, i.e., the first part of the code denotes whether the race is one-day ‘1’, or a stage (multi-day) race ‘2’, and the second part indicates the race ranking. Races are ranked from highest to lowest. In the following order ‘.UWT’ (UCI World Tour) or ‘.WWT’ (Women’s World Tour), ‘.Pro’, ‘.1’, ‘.2’. 

I’m very excited to keep this space updated as to my time in Europe, races I’ve been selected for and how the races have gone.