Becoming a professional cyclist is not easy for anyone, but the combination of large geographical boundaries and limited development opportunities makes the uphill battle even steeper. For Australian women cyclists, this is an all-too-familiar scenario, and while opportunities and professionalization at the top level of the sport are increasing, the path to get there is not open for many athletes.

This is not a new problem: In 2007, Cycling Australia identified a gap in development opportunities and launched a program to address it, given the limited opportunities for international competition. Its European development program came and went with a number of domestically based teams with the goal of developing races within Australia and providing a pathway to international opportunities. Other teams have stepped into the void, but their depth and numbers are still severely limited.

Donations have been received from top Australian cyclists including Grace Brown, Amanda Spratt, and Chloe Hosking. The crowdfunding backers plan to launch a new national cycling team consisting of up to 14 riders, ranging in age from 17 years old. It will provide racing opportunities as well as resources to educate and train in the sport and add four months of international racing to give them exposure to the highest level of competition.

"Now is the time for us to take action. The gap is widening, not closing, so we must do something now," said the GoFundMe page (opens in new tab), which aims to expand development opportunities through the creation of new teams." We have an incredible opportunity to make a real difference for the current generation of young women in cycling and the many generations to come after them."

Leading the push for the new team is local cyclist Pat Shaw, who raced for the Australian men's Continental team for several years and competed nationally and internationally before retiring in 2016. Shaw, a longtime cycling commentator, was also the new women's team director sportif for InForm TMX Make, which will compete in the Australian national road series starting mid-year.

However, his ambitious plans for 2023 were suddenly thrown into disarray when it was announced shortly after he took the job that the men's and women's teams would end in 2022. Shaw was not about to let that happen.

"The sport of cycling has been very good to me," Shaw told Cycling News. The sport of cycling has been so good to me," she told Cycling News. And I want to offer the same possibilities to young women."

"I want to be a part of the team," Shaw said.

The team's prospects are not solely dependent on crowdfunding, and Shaw is involved in discussions over sponsorships that should provide the bulk of the budget, but the GoFundMe campaign (opens in new tab) is an important part of the package and it will provide more than just additional funds that might be available; the GoFundMe campaign is a tool that can not only provide additional funds, but also give contributors a sense of ownership and give potential sponsors a variety of indicators of support.

"There are professional riders who are putting their own money into it, there are moms and dads who are putting their own money into it. I think that's amplified through this crowdfunding."

With a goal of A$100,000, the crowdfunding campaign reached over $5,000 in five days. The budget goal is $400,000, but "we can do it with $250,000," Shaw said.

"We wouldn't want to do this project for less than that. We are not looking for first aid for gunshot wounds. We want to create a proper and reliable pathway for as many young women in Australia as possible." "

If a team is not selected, the funds raised through crowdfunding will be returned.

The show's vision of "doing it right" rather than with little money includes educating team members on nutrition, training, recovery, race tactics, team dynamics, and media relations; access to athlete managers; world-class coaching and testing, as well as a well supported and well rounded international race period.

"We will take you to Europe for four months and we will pay for your accommodation and airfare.

This year, after two seasons of COVID-19 border closures for Australia, several Australian-based teams provided a welcome opportunity for Australian cyclists to race in Europe. Roxsolt Liv SRAM, Australia's only women's continental cycling team, rostered Australian champion Nicole Frayne to race in Europe for six weeks; ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast also made the European expedition, and Anya Lu signed with AG Insurance - NXTG to compete in the Tour de France Femme, as did Frayne.

Shaw said that racing in Europe is not to be underestimated, not only in terms of exposure to racing, but also in terms of personal experience.

"I think they are all important perspectives to move forward professionally. Basically, this team is working towards a goal and achieving it, and these young women are sent to a World Tour team and have to learn to live in these cultures. So it's very important to give these women a little taste of that"

.

"Secondly, the level of racing in Europe and the number of riders on the start line is a very important skill set that riders need to take to the next level. If you don't touch that, your chances are really limited"

.

But starting in 2023, those limited opportunities may suddenly open up for new riders.

"It would be great to sit on this couch in 10 years and see the three or four young women we've helped dominate cycling around the world over a period of time," Shaw says. But not only that, they will be encouraging other young women in Australia to take up the sport as well."