Jessie MacLean - Amy Gillett Scholarship 2006

Jessie started her cycling career in 2000 having been identified in a talent search program while playing hockey, volleyball and rowing for the ACT. In 2002 she received a Scholarship with the ACT Academy of Sport and went on to win the under 19 Pursuit at the Nationals and Junior World Pursuit Championships in Moscow in 2003.

Jessie has commenced a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at the University of Canberra which she is now completing part time to concentrate on her cycling. 

Jessie topped the list of 17 strong applicants based on qualities in the following areas -

• Future development of talent and physiology.
• Current and/or previous studying circumstances for furthering career.
• Potential to fulfil the Amy Gillett Scholarship through self confidence, leadership, sportsmanship, charisma, determination and life skills.
• Team commitment.
• Results to date at a competition both nationally and internationally
• Multiple sporting history, similar to the talents of Amy

In 2007, Jessie learned a lot about training and racing with Verducci Breakaway, a UCI team based in the US. Her results were average but riding in a small team with Theresa was fantastic. 2007 confirmed how much Jessie loves cycling and for 2008, Jessie is driven to perform well overseas. Jessie is hoping for a much improved and consistent year in 2008.

After experiencing the 2007 Track World Cup circuit with Verducci, slightly under prepared, Jessie’s aim is to commence the US season earlier and come home early to hit the track in peak form in October, 2008.

Jessie’s big races for 2008 will be the Commerce Bank Liberty Classic in her adopted home of Philadelphia, USA. The Rochester Twilight Crit (she’ll try to back her 2007 win with another for Verducci in 2008). Possibly Super Week, a massive week of crit racing in Wisconsin and Illinois. The International Tour de ‘Toona (where she will try to get Theresa from second to first in the Sprint Classification). Along with these there will be track races in Trexlertown, and plenty of crits!

Summary of Jessie’s results

2007 1st Saturn Rochester Twilight Criterium
2007 3rd Points Race, International Women's Challenge
2007 4th Points Race, Fastest Man on Wheels, UCI Carnival
2007 39th Stage 5, International Tour de 'Toona
2007 53rd GC, International Tour de 'Toona
2007 Helping team mate Theresa to five podium finishes in the US National Racing Calendar and 2nd in the Sprinters classification in the Tour de 'Toona
2006 1st NSW Points Race Championships
2005 5th Australian Club Time Trial Championships
2005 4th Australian National Points Race
2003 Junior World 2km Individual Pursuit Champion
2003 Australian Junior National Champion 2km Individual Pursuit