Cycling talent on show

JUST four weeks after competing in her first cycling competition, Jemma Eastwood, 15, last week took out the Victorian Under 17 Road Race Champion’s title.
In an amazing display of natural talent, Eastwood blitzed her rivals in one of the country’s most prestigious junior cycling events.
The Belgrave teenager’s journey began after she finished the Great Victorian Bike Ride in 2013 with Mater Christi College, when she became hooked on cycling.
The Year 10 student has continued to ride and even created a school project around her passion.
“I developed a training program for my Personal Project at school, and I knew my riding was getting stronger,” Eastwood said.
But it was the thrill of competing that enticed her into racing, and she joined the Blackburn Cycling Club with her father.
“Competitions are really exciting and bring out my best,” Eastwood said.
Since her surprise victory in the Victorian Championships, Eastwood has represented Victoria in the national titles and is gaining more racing experience.
Her talents are not limited to cycling.
She is an accomplished runner, studies violin and piano, and is a member of the Mater bellas a capella group at Mater Christi.
“I have lots of interests and opportunities, and I really enjoy studying science,” she said.