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Drinks with a world champion...

Ana Nichoola caught up with Olympian and World Track Champion Joanna Rowsell for some drinks, a chat and a dress-up. It was a fun afternoon, although it did leave us wondering how such a relaxed and friendly girl makes such a fierce rider. Joanna was picked out at a British Cycling talent search at school and that opportunity changed her life. Standing having an orange juice with Alex, a girl of her own age, it was interesting to compare their lives. Whilst Alex is at uni, going out partying and doing a bit of studying here and there, Joanna is dedicating herself to training twice a day and squeezing in French lessons!
But what we really wanted to know was what it is like to be a female in the world of cycling. She lives by the velodrome in Manchester in a block with other world-class cyclists. Last year she lived with 3 girls and this year she lives with 8. The girls are already forming strong friendships, although needless to say there is competition and rivalry between them. But Joanna's best friend is from team GB and like any femmes fatales, they use their smiles and charm to get the boys to cook for them- carbs and more carbs by Chris Hoy anyone?
During the afternoon Joanna tried on some Ana Nichoola gear- check out the picture gallery to her looking great in A "Lucky Saddle" bamboo tee. Alex cycled to the meeting in her lovely cycling dress and the two of them looked like two girls having a drink in a pub....not like "cyclists." Which explains the amazement of the landlady when she found out she had a World Champion in the house! And dispells Joanna's theory "its either lycra or nothing." And I cant imagine that wearing nothing on a bike is all that practical!

So please have a look at the gallery and be ready for Joanna Rowsell in the future- she's fast, female, beautiful and has a massive smile, Great Britian definitely has something to be proud of in her!

A special thanks to Belinda Sinclair for her photos.