'I'm up for the challenge': Mia Williams sets sights on 2024 after winning Santini NJRS crown

There is a lot to like about the tenacity and determination of Mia Williams. Take a look at any under-19 women’s road race result in Australia this year and there she is, right in the mix. But that also shows that it’s not easy getting your hands on a breakthrough result in the deep field of talented junior women, but Williams now has a big one – and she worked damn hard for it.

The 99 Bikes Women’s Academy rider clinched the 2023 Santini Junior 19 National Road Series (NJRS) women’s title in style at the recent Tour of Gippsland, winning the final two stages of the U19 series on Phillip Island among the AusCycling National Road Series (NRS) women’s peloton.

It took the 18-year-old to four stage wins for the NJRS season, one-third of the 12 stage wins on offer across the Canberra Junior Tour in June, the Balmoral Junior Tour in July and Tour of Gippsland in August.

Those four wins and another three stage podiums were the mark of consistency that catapulted the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club product to the series victory on 720 points, 220 clear of her nearest rival.

“It feels awesome, it’s great to get a win considering the time and effort I've put into my riding,” Williams said.

“It’s always fun travelling interstate for racing and I’ve really enjoyed getting to race others from all across Australia.

“The racing was very different across the three tours, especially with the third one being mixed with the NRS.”

Williams more than showed she could hang with the best of the NRS during the Tour of Gippsland, with her two U19 stage-winning results coming courtesy of 9th and 10th place finishes in the NRS.

Both are confidence-fuelling performances that have given the hardworking teenager plenty of motivation ahead of progressing into the U23 and senior ranks.

“The next level of racing will of course become a lot harder but I'm up for the challenge. I'm finishing Year 12 this year and that will allow for a good couple months of lead-in training for the summer of cycling coming off exams,” Williams said.

“My main focus for 2024 is to spend some time racing in Europe. I think Australian cyclists travelling to and racing in Europe is becoming more important due to the different styles of racing.

“It seems like such a step up and I feel like getting exposure to that early on will be beneficial in my development.”

An unshackled, study-free Williams could see big personal improvements at the 2024 Federation University Road National Championships, especially when you learn she feels right at home when the repeat climbing efforts, such as Buninyong, come calling.

“I do love climbing and would certainly label it as one of my strengths but I'm trying to stay consistent in all aspects of my riding at this point,” Williams said.

“My favourite style of racing would be repetitively up and down; I like the repeated efforts up climbs with just enough rest to hit the next climb again.”

Santini Junior 19 National Road Series women's overall standings

1st: Mia Williams (99 Bikes Women's Academy) - 720 points

2nd: Lauren Bates (ARA Skip Capital) - 500 points

3rd: Quinn Findlay (The Women's Racing Project) - 410 points

4th: Georgia Wilson (Scody Racing p/b Balmoral) - 375 points

5th: Talia Appleton (Team BridgeLane) - 275 points

Feature picture: Jean-Pierre Ronco/Image Writer Photography