For Nicole, Euphoria is riding through Hell on a bicycle

Whenever Australian World Junior Championships cyclist Nicole Duncan pushes herself through the pain barrier during a race, she describes the sensation that overcomes her as the closest thing to going through “hell” on two wheels.

“The pain is like hell; like everything is on fire,” said Duncan. “But you push through it, and when you do it feels so great . . . I can’t put it into words, but it’s amazing.”

The 17 year old New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athlete leaves Sydney today to compete in the UCI Junior World Track Championships in Columbia, and Duncan made it clear if success comes down to being willing to push herself through hellfire, she’ll do it with a smile.

“It’s the pain,” she said when asked about her penchant to compete in endurance races. “I’m a bit of a pain junkie. There’s a sense of real reward about it: you’ve put in the hours of hard work, and you then feel as though you have achieved something.”

Indeed, it was through a different kind of painful experience – a broken wrist she suffered as a talented BMX racer in 2018 – that Duncan was exposed to track cycling when she was aged 12.

“The Commonwealth Games were on television, and when I watched the track cycling, I thought, ‘that’s cool’,” she said. “I gave it a go to keep up my fitness, but then COVID happened, and we weren’t allowed to go to the BMX track.

“So, I did lots of road rides to keep my endurance up. I went in a road race and finished third at the state championships and I thought that was pretty good.”

Duncan has the opportunity to build on her growing reputation when she competes at the World Junior Track Championships at the Velódromo Alcides Nieto Patiño in Cali, Colombia from August 23–27.

The championships are the premier track event for cyclists in the under-19 category; that is, athletes born in 2005 and 2006. Last year, Australia won three medals, including gold in the junior men’s team sprint.

Indeed, the teenager from the Central Coast said the championships represent another significant milestone moment in her life.

“I’m super excited about competing at the Junior World Championships, it’s something I’ve always had in the back of my mind,’ she enthused.

“However, I’m a little bit nervous because it’s the first time I’m flying overseas on my own and without parents . . .  but . . . I’ll be with my teammates, so, while I’m a bit nervous I am very excited at the same time.”

Duncan said she’d leave Australia physically stronger than when she competed in the Oceania championships three months ago.

“I’m a lot stronger than I was then,” she said. “I’ve been in the gym heaps, lots and lots of long road rides and hours behind the motor bike on the track getting leg speed.

“I’ve always loved riding my bike. If I don’t ride my bike, I’m not a happy girl. Riding my bike makes me happy, and I just want to go as far as I can.”

Duncan paid tribute to her NSWIS endurance coach, Rebecca Dicello for the faith she has put in her, and the constant support she provides.

“Rebecca has helped me heaps,” she said. “No-one knows how much coaches like her put in; the long hours at the track, the phone calls, the amount of thought she puts into everything.

“It’s huge, and I also couldn’t do this without the support of her or my parents and siblings. My family give up so much for me, and I want them to know how much I appreciate it.

“And I’m also very grateful to (fellow cyclists) Kurt and Dylan Eather, who have gone out of their way to drive me to Sydney [from the Central Coast] and train with me in the lead up to this trip. They’ve been tremendous.”

Duncan will have the opportunity to add to what has been a sensational week for the NSWIS cycling program which has resulted in incredible results around the globe, including:

• Lauren Parker winning the gold medal for Hand-Cycling at the World Para Cycling Championships in Glasgow, Scotland
• Thomas Cornish receiving a silver medal after he rode in the qualification round for the Men Elite Team Sprint, and the bronze for his individual performance in the Men 1000m Time Trial
• Gordon Allan winning a bronze medal at the World Para Cycling Championships
• Matt Dinham coming seventh in the Men’s Elite Road Race in Glasgow
• Sarah Roy finishing sixth in the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay in Glasgow
• Keira Will claiming two gold, two silver and bronze at the Trinbago Youth Commonwealth Games
• Liliya Tatarinoff finishing the Youth Commonwealth Games with a gold and two bronze  medals.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS