ALEXANDRA & TESS MARTIN-WALLACE SHARE LOVE OF CYCLING ON AND OFF THE BIKE

As they say, cycling is better with a friend. So, it must make it great when you share the love of cycling and riding bikes with a family member.

For Queensland's Alexandra Martin-Wallace and her mother Tess, cycling has enabled them to share many experiences on and off the bike.

Alexandra, now 21, started cycling when she was 12 and after spending years chasing her mum, dad and brother, her potential on two wheels became evident when she started beating them.

Moving to Adelaide to join the Australian Cycling Team's Podium Potential Academy in 2018, Alexandra has since contested several UCI Track Cycling World Cups, UCI WorldTour events such as the Tour Down Under and collected multiple national titles on the track.

After Alexandra left home to move to the Australian Cycling Team Headquarters in Adelaide, Tess realised her love for cycling went beyond just driving her daughter to training or watching her race.

So, Tess joined a women's track program held at Brisbane's Anna Meares Velodrome, and drawing on her experience as a junior national representative in swimming for her native country of England as a junior, in addition to representing Australia in outrigging, plus and triathlon and indoor rowing, she quickly excelled.

"It wasn't until after I left home that mum started competing, I think she got bored," joked Alexandra, who gifted her first road and track bikes to her mother to use as she started in the sport.
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"Alex moving to Adelaide left a gap for us and learning how to ride and race brings us closer in many ways," said Tess. "I am sure I was an absolute embarrassment to Alex when I first started racing, but she never showed anything but full support and encouragement."

Despite being separated by distance, they have shared each other's memorable moments across Australia and the world. In 2019, Tess travelled to watch her daughter win silver at the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Hong Kong, while in 2020, Alexandra cheered her mother to gold at the 2020 Masters Track National Championships.

They have also shared the track in several races and events across the country.

"I have loved watching mum compete, although I get very nervous for her when I'm watching, so it has made me understand how mum feels watching me race," said Alexandra. "It's great having mum doing the same sport. My parents love cycling, so it's great for them to be so passionate about the same sport as me."

"But the only advice I give my mum is to take it easy because she trains nonstop!"

For Tess, she enjoys the quality time with her daughter at the events on and off the bike.

"We end up at the same events at times, and we have an opportunity to find some quality time together," said Tess. "It is good understanding the sport that your daughter is involved in, and we love watching the races, not just the ones Alex is competing in.

"I race Alex sometimes in handicap races on the track, which is always heaps of fun. I'm always off first; she is last, and no guessing who wins. I think I need to have words with the handicappers!"

While Alexandra will be unable to travel to be with Tess for Mother's Day, the love and respect the pair have for each other will be felt across the country.

"My mum had always been such an inspiration to me, she loves cycling and competing so much, and there is no way I would be the athlete I am without her," said Alexandra. "So even though I won't be seeing her for Mother's Day, she will always be a part of my love for the sport of cycling."

"Alex is my inspiration on and off the bike," said Tess.

And the question on many lips - who is the better cyclist?

"Mum definitely has way more medals!" said Alexandra.

"No tabs on medal counts. I just have more. Just kidding!" joked Tess.