Hello!! My name is Savannah Coupland, and I am an U23 cyclist from Perth, Western Australia.

I was first introduced to cycling through the WAIS Talent Identification Program back in 2019. Starting out on the track, and then eventually making my way to road cycling, where I have found my true love for the sport.

I have now been cycling on the road competitively for 3 years, at both a national level and internationally in Belgium. I joined the Cycling Development Foundation back in 2022 as a development rider, only competing in the second half of the year in my first race, Tour of Sunshine Coast. I didn’t finish this tour, but I have come a great way since then. In 2023 I was the main support rider, leading our team sprinter to first and being the main domestique rider for our top GC competitor.

2024 was the year I was able to race for myself and achieve my own results. I achieved 3^rd in the U23 Oceania Road Race, with a 4^th Overall result against some of Australia’s best cyclists. Backing up with a 4^th overall at the Sapphire Tour, and 7^th at Tour de Brisbane. All of these are National results as I haven’t had the opportunity to race internationally again this year.

I work part-time in a warehouse job, but most of my cycling funding comes from my parents. With 3 daughters now in the sport, they weren’t able to support any more racing ventures internationally as National events cost a lot on their own. I have to self-fund all my flights over east, as well as pay for accommodation, food and team support. For the last race I competed in, it cost $750 just to fly in and out of Melbourne, and I am yet to receive the hefty bill from the team, but is usually between $300-$600.

As a student, I don’t have enough time on my hands to work enough to fund my training and racing. I am currently a full-time student studying a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science, Exercise and Health. Next year, I will cut back to part-time to be able to fulfil my goals of racing internationally and achieving some top 10 results. Cycling is my plan A, and I am going to do everything in my power to become professional one day.

I also give back to the community through my cycling. In 2023, I took part in the Laverton Cycling Project, which raises money for underprivileged youth in at-risk communities in rural WA. This year, I helped chaperone a fundraiser camp, which raised money for the Cycling Development Foundation, Laverton Cycling Project and Junior Cycling Academy. In the past I have also attended many functions for my team and past sponsors.

These donations don’t just help set me up for the 2025 racing season, but will provide me with opportunities to continue further into the sport in the future. This year has proven very hard to move up in the cycling world because I wasn’t given the opportunity to race internationally. Despite this setback, I am keen to move forward and do a lot better next year. I am capable of achieving this, I just need a little help along the way to get there.