I’m Sophia Sammons, and I am a cyclist from Perth, WA.

I have always loved sports growing up, and thought I found the one with running. However, as it so often happens, I got injured. To stay fit while rehabbing I took up some cycling with my dad. At first I absolutely hated it - Perth was always windy and cycling took hours compared to running. But slowly, I started to love the sport. Now my dream is to become a professional cyclist and win gold at the Olympics. 

Since joining the sport 2 years ago, I’ve come a really long way. 2024 especially has been a big year of growth and development for me. I joined a local Perth team, Cycling Development Foundation, and competed both nationally and internationally for the first time! With such a supportive team around me, I was able to achieve some results I am really proud of. 

In my debut NRS race, the Melbourne to Warrnambool, I placed fourth from a break away. In early April I won the Oceania U23 TT championships and later in the year, I placed 5th GC at Tour of Gippsland. While I had a lot of success, I was confronted with shortcomings and setbacks. Financial constraints meant I couldn’t go to as many races as I would have liked, and the races I did go to, I was plagued with cramps. However, these setbacks have made me more motivated and hungry for success. 

I was also lucky enough to experience racing in Europe with CDF. While it was completely different from anything I have ever experienced, I am keen for more! 

As I head into 2025, I will be joining a new team and signing up for as many races as I possibly can. Having the 2025 nationals in Perth this year is really exciting as it will be the first national level race my parents, family and non-cycling friends will see me do. I have some big ambitions for both the TT and the road race, and I am training really hard to make that a reality and make them proud. Additionally, the new Provelo Superleauge will be a super exciting opportunity for me to prove what I am capable of!

To realise these dreams, I will need additional support. The expenses of racing and training have become too much for me as I am entirely self-funded. I require help to cover the costs of training, flights, racing logistics and general living expenses for next year. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I really appreciate it. Any contribution will help me to continue to reach my dreams of becoming a professional athlete. I know I am capable of getting there.