‘I found all the pieces to my puzzle’: Courtney Sherwell reflects on historic double national title year

2024 was the year everything clicked for Courtney Sherwell. 

After years of training, dedication, and sacrifice, the multi-discipline rider from Bendigo achieved the rare double: national titles in both marathon mountain bike (MTB) and gravel racing (a feat also achieved by Brendan Johnston last year). 

Like many cyclists, winning a national title—and the honour of wearing the green and gold bands—had always been a dream. But to win two crowns, just months apart? 

“It took me many months to fully acknowledge this,” the 36-year-old reflected. 

“It was quite a bizarre feeling, to be honest. I didn’t fully understand the true value of those titles at first. Maybe I was too focused on what I thought other people were thinking—whether I was worthy of wearing the jersey,” she said. 

Sherwell reacts to her gravel nationals win.

“But what I came to realise is, it really doesn't matter what other people think. The view I have of myself matters most. I should be extremely proud to wear the national colours for the next 12 months—not just in one discipline, but two! Every day I get to put on my national champion kit is a good day.” 

Sherwell had raced national championships in previous years across both road and mountain bike. But, she admits, the goal back then was often “just to finish.” 

That all changed last year following a series of podiums in the American gravel scene, including two runner-up finishes and second overall in the Belgian Waffle Ride’s Triple Crown Series. 

“Last year, I found all the pieces to my puzzle,” she said. 

“It was the first time in years I allowed myself to focus on being a full-time athlete—to trust the training process, the people around me, and to truly believe in myself. It was a breakthrough year, both physically and mentally.” 

“As a privateer, my partner John and I had to sacrifice a lot, make countless calls for help, and ride the emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows. But when I reflect on it, the ‘wow’ moment is realising I achieved in one year what many people dream of doing in a lifetime.” 

Her first national crown came in May at the Marathon MTB Championships in Wagga Wagga, NSW—just three days after returning from the US. 

Sherwell raises her hands as she crosses the line at Marathon MTB National Championships.

“I was unwell with an upper respiratory infection and hadn’t ridden my mountain bike in three months,” Sherwell recalled. 

“But I’ll never forget what my coach and partner said to me that morning: ‘Even though you're at about 80 per cent capacity, you can still win this title.’ Honestly, that was what got me through—it played on repeat in my head the entire race.” 

After a neck-and-neck battle with Izzy Flint, Sherwell broke away to claim her maiden national title in emphatic solo fashion. 

Just five weeks later, she was back on the top step—this time as Australia’s gravel national champion in Tasmania, in a much closer finish. 

Brendan Johnston and Courtney Sherwell both won the marathon and gravel national titles in 2024.

“This one I really wanted,” she said. 

“I’ve put so much time and effort into gravel. I couldn’t think about anything but winning. I didn’t execute the best race plan that day, and at one point, I thought I’d have to settle for second—which is still incredible—but I’ve come to realise I have this ‘never say die’ attitude. That drive in the final moments is what got me across the line first—by the barest of margins.” 

Sherwell edged out reigning champion Justine Barrow in a thrilling sprint finish to seal her second national title in as many months. 

Sherwell clinched her second title in as many months in a two-up sprint against Justine Barrow.

Later that year, she represented the ARA Australian Cycling Team at UCI World Championships in both gravel and marathon MTB—just two weeks apart. 

“I was very much the little fish in a big pond,” she said. 

“But I really wanted that experience, and I’m proud to have placed 18th at the XCM World Champs and 28th at the Gravel World Champs.” 

Sherwell won’t be back to defend either national title in 2025—gravel in Mt Crawford Forest in South Australia next week, or Marathon in August, leaving the door open for a new women’s champion.  

Instead, she’s already back to the US, going all-in on the biggest off-road series in the world: the Life Time Grand Prix (LTGP), as well as the Belgian Waffle Ride Quadruple Crown of Gravel. 

“Logistically, this year is already really challenging,” she said. 

“My focus is to be the best I can for the LTGP. I'm going all-in and not taking this opportunity for granted. I know I can be competitive in the series—I feel like I was made for it. My goal is to leave nothing out there and race hard. I can’t wait to line up against some of the world’s best gravel and MTB athletes.” 

The season has already kicked off with a promising result: second place at the Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona in March and 8^th at the Sea Otter Classic earlier this month. 

2025 AusCycling Gravel National Championships x Ponderosa Pines 

•  Location: Mt Crawford Forest, South Australia  
• Dates: April 26, 2025 
• More information: 2025 AusCycling Gravel National Championships