From Tasmania to Europe: How UniSC paved the way for Anya Louw | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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From Tasmania to Europe: How UniSC paved the way for Anya Louw

It was as simple as finding an exciting degree and picking up the phone. In 2020, Anya made the move to the warmer climate of the Sunshine Coast from her hometown of Devonport, Tasmania to commence a Bachelor of Dietetics at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), all whilst developing her cycling career.

“I just rang them and after a few conversations, they were open for me to move here like one of the boys – if I can handle being around just a men’s team the whole time. No problem”.

A successful start to the 2022 season saw Anya gain a series of National and Oceania title victories, which helped her gain a key selection role in the Australian Cycling Academy squad to race in Europe during May and June. Europe is home to the most significant professional cycling teams, “It’s like cricket, AFL or rugby league here”, she said.

Anya saw confidence in seeing former ACA representative, Cassis Boglio, switch to a professional European team in 2022. On July 1st Anya was selected for the AG Insurance-NXTG team. Before she knew it, Anya’s long-term goal of racing In the Tour De France was realised 3 weeks later when she raced for AG Insurance-NXTG in the inaugural Tour De Femme. This was Anya’s first season in the pro ranks and her second European stage race.

Anya had two goals whilst racing for AG Insurance-NXTG on the Tour De Femme:

  1. Supporting the Kiwi sprinter Ally Wollaston
  2. Targeting breakaways on the second half of the tour.

Anya mentioned to Matt De Neef post-race, “I definitely feel like this tour is bigger than other races with all the people and the big build-up for the race,” she said. Although Anya mentions this is the biggest race for women’s cycling, possibly ever, she had very specific roles to fill out, “I just try and execute those roles for my teammates to the best of my ability, that’s all I'm thinking about,” she said.

Anya continues to study with UniSC whilst her cycling career continues to flourish in Europe.