Cycling Queensland

Dynamic duo Daniel McConnell and Rebecca Henderson have been named as Australia’s mountain bike representatives for the London Olympic Games.

McConnell went to the Beijing Olympics and is flying towards his second campaign. Twenty-year-old Henderson is becoming a regular on the under-23 podium and makes her debut in London and is mentored by her teammate McConnell.

“I have always wanted to be an Olympian but I never really thought I would be in the 2012 Games,” Henderson said.

“The Aussie riders were always a few too many steps ahead of me when I was younger. Last year I stepped up a level, racing the World Cups but I think it was only this year I was really considered a threat to other riders for the Olympic spot.”

To seal their selection for the Games, the master and apprentice have been travelling the World Cup circuit.

“My World Cup campaign so far has had some highs and lows but overall has been quite consistent,” Henderson said.

The young Canberran landed her first podium finish in April with a bronze medal in the under-23 ranks at the second round of the World Cup in Houffalize, Belgium. But a 13th place finish at the next World Cup threatened to derail her Olympic campaign.

 “I found it difficult to keep my head up after such disappointment,” Henderson said. 

“I was so motivated leading into the third round and knew I had only one chance left to prove my worthiness for a ride in London.”

The fourth World Cup round in La Bresse, France provided Australia’s contenders with a final chance to put their hands up for selection. Henderson rode her heart out to finish second on the under-23 podium.

“Crossing the finish line in second in the World Cup is a huge achievement for me, and so far from what I was expecting to get out of that race. Standing on the podium in a World Cup for the second time this season, the feeling is indescribable!” she said.

“These results have come as a huge surprise and have given me confidence to race against girls I thought were out of my league.”

The strong results have taken Henderson to second on the under-23 World Cup standings. Her elite cross-country ranking is 55th. Leading to London she has one eye on the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“The biggest goal (in London) is to have a really good strong performance and gain a lot of experience. I really want to learn what the Olympics are about as I have heard even a lot of the best riders in the world become extremely nervous come Olympics. I want to get all of this out of my system so I am ready for the Olympic Games in Rio!”

Not only is he proud of his charge’s strong results, McConnell’s star has also been on the rise with his World Cup results hovering around the top twenty this season.

The 26-year-old is Australia’s top ranked rider in the men’s elite cross-country at number 41. He is 12 places ahead of compatriot Chris Jongewaard and won the 2012 Australian title and Oceania Continental Championship crown to seal his second Games berth.

McConnell raced at the London course at Hadleigh Farm in Essex in the test event finishing 25th. The technically challenging course is set against the stunning backdrop of the 700-year-old ruins of Hadleigh Castle.

Not only is McConnell off to a second Games, but he carries on a proud family legacy. His mother, Jenny competed at the 1972 Munich Olympics in the 1500m athletics.

But Frenchman Julien Absalon will be the man to beat in London as he hunts for a third consecutive gold medal.

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The mountain bike section of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team: