Derrynoose cycling sensation, Gabrielle Fox, has recently felt the harsh reality of the old adage, “success breeds its own problems”.
The 28-year-old has been on a constant uphill journey in her cycling career over the last six years all while racking up win-after-win and title-after-title.
She now currently stands as the Irish Gravel Champion and has, thus, qualified to represent Ireland at the Elite World Gravel Championships in Perth, Australia on October 8.
That comes with, let’s say, a minor hiccup… She only found out on Sunday evening that she had qualified and she heads off to Canada to compete in the UCI Road World Championships tomorrow morning (Thursday).
Ideally, Gabrielle would want to take her new custom-made Assassin gravel bike (designed by Irish brand FiftyOne Bikes), to showcase her representation of Ireland replete with her Irish jersey.
But with early morning flights looming, she doesn’t yet know if she will be able to bring her bike or not.
However, there is a back-up plan coming together should worst come to worst.
Speaking to Armagh I, Gabrielle said: “I could send a request to a few guys I know are doing the race also and see if they could bring the bike out to me. Or if I could get cheap enough flights to fly back to get my bike and go on to Perth, I will try that.
“I have put all my resources into training and everything and I do have friends that would help me with accommodation when I get there but it’s just the flights.”
At the minute she says flights are priced at roughly £1,500 to £2,000 and she is desperate to secure her journey there to ensure she doesn’t miss out on this incredible opportunity.
Said Gabrielle: “These opportunities don’t come very often and when they come at this level you have to take them. It’s incredible the talent that is coming out of Ireland and I would love the opportunity to compete at this level.”
Unfortunately, gravel cycling is not funded by Cycling Ireland, as Gabrielle says, “it’s not an Olympic sport”.
She is issuing a heartfelt plea to anyone or any business that may be in a position to help her reach Perth with her bike in time for the competition to make contact directly as soon as possible.
If you would like to sponsor Gabrielle or can offer her support in her journey you can make contact via email gabriellefox98@hotmail.com or telephone 07596915902.
