July 17th, 2024Lauretta Hanson on the road to Paris

Fern Hill’s Lauretta Hanson is heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The road cyclist will compete in the women’s road cycling event on August 4, alongside teammates Grace Brown and Ruby Roseman-Gannon. 

The Local first caught up with the now 29-year-old when a 110km ride taking in Carlsruhe, Mount Macedon, Hanging Rock, Newham, Pipers Creek and Kyneton, was just another day of training as she prepared for the 2019 European cycling season. 

The long-time member of the Macedon Ranges Cycling Club was flying to Spain for her first race with Trek- Segafredo. 

Europe was a big move after six years cycling with United Healthcare in the US. “Trek-Segafredo is a new women’s world tour team,” Lauretta said at the time.

“They already have a men’s team so adding a women’s team is an exciting move. They’re putting a lot of support behind it with the aim to be one of the best teams in the world.” 

Lauretta joined the Macedon Club as an eight-year-old with her mother, Heather, who had been an elite cyclist in the 1970s and 80s. 

She never seriously considered professional racing until a trip to the United States saw her spotted by scouts and offered a scholarship at Milligan College in Tennessee. It was in college that Lauretta realised her cycling talents.

 “I won the national road omnium in 2015 for the collegiate level cycling and got quite a few national medals and was then offered a spot on a domestic team in the US.” 

After getting good results and finding her feet she progressed to bigger and bigger teams before joining United Healthcare – one of the country’s top cycling teams.

She flourished in the role of domestique – a rider who works for the benefit of his or her team and leader, rather than trying to win the race. 

Now an established member of the UCI Women’s World Team Lidl-Trek team, Lauretta has continued to work on building that reputation as a strong, unwavering support rider. 

High-profile Lidl-Trek rider Ellen van Dijk has made it clear her success depends on the support of Lauretta. “Lauretta is very valuable,” Dutchwoman Ellen said.

“She is always where she needs to be. She does what she needs to do and is super strong. It’s not [that] she is a domestique [because] she is not as strong. On the contrary. In smaller teams she could get her own results, but it’s a choice she made and that is great for us as a team.

“She always gives her all and without riders like her you just don’t win races. She is loyal on and off the bike. She is always happy and will never complain.

These personalities are important on a team.” Lauretta said as a domestique she loves helping her teammates to achieve the best results possible. 

“Other women told me there isn’t a place in women’s pro cycling for a professional domestique and historically in women’s cycling you never got a contract if you weren’t a winner.

But now teams see more and more they need dedicated riders to help others win. I enjoy helping fellow team members as much as myself. 

“A lot of the time people at home will ask me how my race went. Having coverage makes such a big difference for riders like me. 

“You can now see the players other than those in the winners group. Lauretta Hanson on the road to Paris “You can see the story of the race now.

I hope this makes younger riders realise there is a place for domestiques and that it’s not all about the winners.” The former Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, student said she had a great time growing up on the family farm at Fern Hill.

“We had a great time as kids on the farm,” she said. “We had so much space roaming around and riding bikes on the property. Cycling is the feeling of being free. It’s exploring. “Cycling gives you the opportunity to see the world.

I have seen more of the world than I expected to ever see and that’s largely due to my cycling career.” For young cyclists wanting to make the professional circuit, Lauretta has this advice. 

“Don’t be afraid to follow opportunities and take your own pathways. For me, this wasn’t always clear. I’ve never had directions in front of me and I was never part of an institute or an academy. 

“I kind if did it my own way. It may have been a little daunting and overwhelming at times but I think it’s made me a stronger and more resilient athlete. It’s not always been easy but I’ve made a lot of good friends and networks along the way. I’ve loved the experience and where it’s taken me.” 

Lauretta has a bachelor of business, sport and fitness administration/management at Deakin University. Sacred Heart College principal Darren Egberts said the school community was very proud of Lauretta’s achievements. 

“As a past student (Class of 2012), we have always enjoyed following her progress. Her recent selection in the Australian Olympic Cycling Team is fantastic news.

 “Long-serving staff members recall her passion for cycling during her years at the college and particularly her selection, while in Year 12, to ride with Cadel Evans, following his Tour de France win. “

Having a past student at these Olympics will make them even more exciting for all at the college – we will be loudly cheering for Lauretta and her team.” 

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: AusCycling – Josh Chadwick