When Chantelle Orr isn’t busy working as a Principal Secondary Engineer at UGL, she’s pedalling along Sydney streets on her road bike. As well as training six days a week, Chantelle competes in races across the country.
Her latest achievement is winning the 2024 AusCycling Road National Championships Individual Time Trial for women 40 – 44 years. The 16-kilometre race took place in rural South Australia, and competitors faced tough conditions on the day.
“Unfortunately, on the day, although the sun was out and it was warm, there was a very strong crosswind across the length of the course, so it makes it quite dangerous for riding. A crosswind is very destabilising, and it increases the risk of crashing and falling off,” says Chantelle.
After spending two days driving to Loxton, Chantelle completed the race in 30 minutes but wasn’t sure she’d won her division for quite some time.
“There was no internet in that remote area of Loxton, so we didn't really know the results for a few hours, but because I had caught a few riders, I knew I had done well,” says Chantelle.
The win spurs her on to an endurance race called Peaks Challenge Falls Creek. The 235-kilometre race contains more than 4,000-metres of vertical climbing and is completed within a 13-hour time limit.
“I just like the challenge of completing such a long distance in whatever weather conditions be it freezing or boiling, or sometimes a combination of both on that course,” says Chantelle.