Alexandra Manly

Biography

Alexandra Manly, hailing from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, discovered her passion for cycling later in her athletic journey when talent scouts from the South Australian Institute of Sport recognized her potential. Initially involved in athletics from a very young age, it wasn't until she was 14 that cycling emerged as her calling. True to form, Alex rapidly excelled in the sport, overcoming her shy nature and finding camaraderie and strength in teamwork on the track.

During her budding years from 2012 to 2014, Alex clinched numerous junior Oceania and national titles. Her transition from junior to senior ranks was spectacular, punctuated by winning two UCI U19 world titles in team pursuit and individual pursuit in 2014. By 2015, she had claimed a World Cup gold in team pursuit and continued to sparkle on both track and road.

The 2018 season saw Alex bag both time trial and road race titles at the Australian U23 Cycling Championships and secure Commonwealth Games gold in team pursuit at the Gold Coast. Further success came at the 2019 UCI Track World Championships in Poland, where she won dual world titles in team pursuit and the points race.

Though her Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign was marked by a fifth-place team pursuit finish, Alex's dedication and resilience remained unshaken. Returning to road racing in 2022, she triumphed at the Thuringen Ladies Tour in Germany, claiming four stage victories. The same year, she represented Australia in the road race at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

In 2023, Alex continued to impress by securing silver in the madison at the UCI World Championships alongside Georgia Baker. Her formidable presence in road racing was underscored by her remarkable performance at the Tour de France Femmes, where she won the challenging second stage of the Women’s Tour Down Under. Alex's journey is a testament to her enduring spirit and love for cycling, making her a prominent figure in Australian sports.