BMX: Bunbury rider Lauren Reynolds believes she has the secret weapon as she embarks on her journey toward the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.
Reynolds will defend her world silver medal next weekend at the BMX World Championships in the Netherlands.
The 23-year-old has now teamed up with former BMX Australia coach Sean Dwight from Sydney.
Dwight coached the Australian High Performance team prior to the sport’s debut at the Beijing Olympics and since then has coached some of the world’s best BMX racers.
For Reynolds, coming off major knee surgery and lacking fitness, the switch to Dwight’s program has not been easy.
“The last 12 months have been tough for me though it’s more mentally than physically,” she said.
“I used to just get worked up about everything and that was putting pressure on me. It showed up in my racing.
“Sean just says it how it is – he sees things in a whole different way – more so off the bike than on the bike.”
Another bonus for Reynolds is the influence of Dwight’s training squad which includes London Olympic silver medallist, Sam Willoughby from Australia.
“Sam is encouraging – he’s good,” she said.
“You are surrounded by the guys and you start to think like them.”
This year’s world championships will be the first international event for Reynolds with her new coach.
“Sean is so calm and there are only minimal words spoken on race day,” Reynolds said.
“That’s the winning edge, to worry about what’s important.”
Dwight said he was pleased with Reynold’s progress to date.
“She passed a top rider over the challenging pro section at her last race in America and that hadn’t been done before,” he said.
“That did her confidence a lot of good.”
While training and competing in America, Reynolds had her best results this season claiming two second places at the Stars and Stripes Nationals earlier this month.
Dwight said he is working with Reynolds on being aggressive and executing a plan.
“She is a baby in some areas but we are working on those,” he said.
“Realistically she is where she needs to be right now.”
This world championships will test out Reynold’s resolve and her long term goal of making a mark at the 2016 Olympics.
According to Dwight, Reynolds will have an advantage at the Rio Olympics.
“She has more experience after doing the Olympic ‘cycle’. She’s been through that whole thing,” Dwight said.
“Many athletes don’t get the chance to get there once let alone twice.
“This time around she’s not just going to the Olympics to just be an Olympian again.”
At this BMX World Championships, Reynolds will be joined by Dalyellup rider Rachelle Smith who will compete in the junior women’s category.