Niki Fisher

Home town: Melbourne
Personal Profile:  Niki Fisher has carved a name for herself in a sport that pushes the limits of the toughest competitors. When Niki started out in mountain biking ten years ago she was one of the few females on the trails.  Niki’s achievements include winning the National Series Championships in 2004/2005, The Wildside Mountain Bike Stage Race in Tasmania in 2005 and 2006 and Western Australia’s Cape to Cape Stage Race in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Her spirit was put to the ultimate test when her partner of many years, much-loved endurance mountain biker, James Williamson, 26, died in his sleep from an undiagnosed heart condition during the Cape Epic in South Africa in March 2010.  As a tribute to him, she competed in the 2011 Cape Epic.  When I have a good race and feel awesome, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s that feeling that motivates me to train.  If I begin to feel stale and question what it’s all about that’s when I know it’s time to ride for the fun of it, not because I need to get fit for a race.  After all, I didn’t start riding because I wanted to win races, I just wanted to ride my bike and enjoy the trails. (Words by Virginia Millen – Outer Edge)

Dylan Cooper

Home town:  Canberra
Favourite Quote:  “Life is short“
Personal Profile:  Dylan Cooper has over 10 years of racing behind him, ranging from cross country and short track racing to team and enduro events. After winning the Junior National Championships and National Series in 1997, and representing Australia at the World Championships twice as a junior, Dylan became ill and had six years off. Since making a comeback and having lived and trained for years with James Williamson, he has raced for Australia four more times in elite, won many National XC races, taken out the Australian National XC and Short Track Series twice, and also won the Japan National series. With plenty of World Cup and World Championship races under the belt, Dylan has vast experience which he’s now using in the enduro scene in Australia

Shaun Lewis

Home town:  Canberra
Favourite Quote:  “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else”
Personal Profile:  Shaun Lewis has been riding competitively for over 12 years. Shaun’s closest friend and riding companion over these years was James Williamson, and together they travelled throughout Australia competing in MTB State and National Rounds. Shaun competed internationally in the Worlds MTB Championships in 2003 for XC and 2009 for Marathon. Shaun says he prefers racing in Australia and was a popular winner of the 100KM Highland Fling in 2006 and 2007. Shaun also takes part in road races from time to time, “for training” and managed to win the prestigious Cootamundra Classic in August this year, as well as taking out the fastest time on the next days event. Other results Shaun values include four top five placings at the Australian XC Championships and winning the 2005 NSW State title, an event he chased for many years.

Jenni King

Home town:  Melbourne
Hobbies:  Camping, swimming, hiking
Hero:  Gunn – Rita Dahle
Personal Ambition:  To be remembered favourably
Favourite Quote:  “Never give in”
Personal Profile: I have been involved with mountain bike racing for the past 10 years.  I started out in the sport after watching the MTB coverage of the 2000 Olympic on TV. Thinking that it looked like some fun, I went out and bought myself a mountain bike. Little did I know just how addictive MTBiking is – 10 years later I still think there is nothing better than hitting the trails and pushing my body to the limit!  I have made gradual improvements in my racing over the years and last domestic season saw my best results yet, with 2^nd place overall in the elite 2010/11 Australian MTB series and I am the current marathon distance National Champion. I have been self-coached for the past 6 years and I am now an accredited cycling Australia road and MTB coach. I love to pass on the knowledge I have gained through personal experience and through my knowledge of ever developing sports science.  My aim as a cycle coach is to provide riders of all levels, with elite-level coaching to meet their specific goals.