1x10: Anna Flynn
Image by Simon Wootton
Can you introduce yourself and tell our readers a little about you.
My name is Anna Flynn, I’m 19 and I’m from Edinburgh and I ride for the Edinburgh road club. I’m also on the Great Britain MTB senior academy as well as a full time student studying sport and exercise science.
How long have you been involved in cyclocross?
I’ve been racing cx races in Scotland since I was an u10 I think. When I first started I think I was doing most of the races on my MTB! I started racing some National trophies when I was an u14.
What got you into the sport in the first place?
I think the Inch park cx race that ERC organise every year got me into it. It was the first cx race I did and it was where we did our weekly sessions, so it was fun to race with my friends. I think the thing that got me into cx at a more serious level was when I became a junior and started racing with GB in Europe and I would be racing with the the best women in the world like Sanne Cant. It made it feel like I wasn’t that far away from being able to do what they do as a job.
What's the most embarrassing thing you've done at a race?
I can’t think of anything too embarrassing actually but at the Scottish cx champs this year, I didn’t ride a big part of the course in practice because the tape was marked out for the kids course. I was so surprised when I got to that part in the race and I almost decked it on the hurdles because I didn’t realise they were coming up. Definitely learnt a lesson there!
What is your favourite course in Scotland?
I think there are so many great courses but my top three are Battle of the Bing, Callander park and this years Scottish champs course at Camperdown park.
What are your highlights from this season?
My highlight is getting to wear both the yellow and green leaders jersey in the National trophy and I was also really happy with my win at Scottish champs.
What are your plans for next season?
Over the summer I have a full MTB season and I’ll hopefully be riding a lot of the MTB world cups which I’m really excited for. I’m not sure what next CX season will look like but I’ll definitely be doing some because I enjoy it so much.
Are there any riders you particularly admire?
Evie Richards is someone I look up to a lot because she works so hard and is such a lovely person as well.
What's the craziest thing you've seen at a cross race?
I went to watch the word cx championships in Valkenburg in 2018 with my family because my brother was racing. Just before the elite men’s race, a half naked Leprechaun ran onto the course and slid down the hill in the mud.
Obviously you're doing something right, do you have any training tips for those looking to follow in your footsteps?
I think working on your skills when you are younger is the most important. For cx training I always do my efforts in a park and include some cornering, off cambers, run ups etc in my efforts to make them more interesting and it prepared you for racing more and helps practice skills at race pace.
