World champion becomes Murraylands Cycling Club’s patron

Murraylands Cycling Club members felt honoured to meet their club patron and role model recently, professional cyclist Alex Manly.

Contributed, Michael X. Savvas

Mar 1, 2023 — 2 min read

This post was contributed by Doug Issell.

Alexandra Manly wears the leader’s ochre jersey after stage two of the 2023 Women’s Tour Down Under. Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images.

Murraylands Cycling Club members have been honoured by meeting their club patron and role model: professional cyclist Alex Manly.

Ms Manly is a member of the world cycling team Jayco Alula, which competes in events such as the Ladies European Classics, the Tour de France and the Tour of Spain.

During her career, Manly has won four world championships and placed in several others.

She has also represented Australia at the Olympic Games, won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and taken out 12 Australian championships.

This year she won the second stage of the Women’s Tour Down Under.

Members of the Murraylands Cycling Club pose with their club patron, Alex Manly, fourth from left. Photo: Helen Kauer-McGee.

Murraylands Cycling Club chairman Doug Issell spoke of the club’s excitement to have Manly as its patron.

“We are thrilled and humbled that Alex has agreed to be our patron and also a role model for developing cyclists in our club,” he said.

“We had some of our very promising young riders at the introduction to Alex and her parents, and I was impressed how they took in every word Alex so professionally presented.

“Alex has also indicated she will personally support our cycling clinic endeavours and visit school groups if needed, as her training schedule permits, when next back in Australia.

“Let’s hope we can get a track going in Murray Bridge to get the club and riders of the Murraylands really making a mark in the cycling world.

“Alex Manly is a perfect example of taking the skills of the track racing onto the road and using those skills to achieve incredible results.”