Forster teen Oli Moran had two goals for 2020: to win a gold medal at the BMX world championships, and to do well enough in his Higher School Certificate to ensure he could get into university.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Unfortunately, COVID-19 put an end to his first aspiration, but his second goal has certainly benefitted as a result.
"It's been kind of perfect to be able to study and not travel so much," Oli said.
"I've been able to put all my focus into it."
Hoping to balance an engineering degree with his racing commitments, the 18-year-old is aiming to land an athlete scholarship next year, which will allow him to study flexibly while he chases his ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2024 Australian Olympic team.
It's been a gap year in a way.
- Oli Moran
And while 2020 has been a write-off for Oli as far as racing goes, he believes he hasn't lost anything in terms of performance.
"Everything is going in the right direction," Oli said.
"Training has been good for me because I've got a gym at home. I've just been doing all the same training and getting ready for next year."
Competing at a national and international level since he was seven, Oli has also been making the most of the extra time he's had at home by enjoying fishing, surfing and hanging out with his friends.
Talented on more than just a bike, he won the inaugural Great Lakes Tackle land-based champion competition back in June for a 30kg cobia he pulled in.
"I've really enjoyed it," Oli said.
"It's been a gap year in a way."
But while the break has been nice, Oli is looking forward to competing again once the worst of the pandemic passes.
"It's sucked missing out on a few overseas trips," he admitted.
"I've definitely realised how much I enjoy racing."
You may also like: Great white shark bites boat off Forster
In 2019, Oli finished second in the junior elite men's division at the UCI BMX World Championships in Belgium, becoming the first Australian to make the podium in that category since 2015.
When he returns to racing, he'll make the jump to the elite division, which will see him compete against the sport's top professionals.
While he admits this will essentially see him start at the bottom again, he's neither daunted by the task or putting too much pressure on himself to reach the top straightaway.
"I want to be competitive in Australia, like in the top seven or eight, and then work my way up into the top two or three by 2024 so I can qualify for the Olympics," Oli said.
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France.
Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Great Lakes Advocate. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
