Kendelle Hodges is a cycling prodigy. The 24-year-old Werribee resident is one of Australia’s brightest female cyclists, and has spent the year racing in the USA and Canada, where she picked up a number of wins. She has also recently won events in the National Road Series.
What’s your connection to the Wyndham area?
I’ve lived here forever. I used to go fishing down at Werribee South with dad and my brothers when I was a kid. I went to Heathdale Christian College from prep to year 12.
How did you get into cycling?
It was through school. I did a novice competition for school riders. I went well there and really enjoyed it, so I joined a club and it all just progressed from there. I started riding at 15.
This year, I went over to race in America for three months and that was a really great experience, probably the best thing I’ve done. When I came back, we had some national road series races, and I won a race in Canberra about a month ago.
And I understand you’re heading back to America next year?
I ended up being picked for the Colavita Bianchi pro team for next year, based on the results of my races over there. I’ll live in Boulder, Colorado, next year and race with them. One of my friends from Adelaide is in the team as well. I’ll be there for seven months.
I’m really excited, it’s a really big opportunity for me and I’m hoping to have a fantastic year with them. It’s a really great environment to be part of. It’s the next step forward for me. [Cycling] is much bigger there; there’s a lot more racing.
Do you ever suffer from pre-race nerves?
Not really. I guess I’ve been doing it for a while now, but the bigger the race is, sometimes [I’ll get nervous].
What races over your career stand out?
There’s always been special moments along the way, and I’ll always remember my first national medal on the track as an under-19. That was pretty special, and when I represented Australia at the junior world championships.
Most recently, I won a race in Canada – that was exciting.
You recently took on the 280-kilometre Melbourne to Warrnambool. How did you go?
It’s the first year I’ve done it, but unfortunately, at 80 kilometres, my gears broke and I wasn’t able to resume. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year; it’s something I’d like to complete.
