Vanessa Thomsen
MTB
Hometown: Lutes Mountain
What part of NB are you from and what club do you ride with? I’m from Lutes Mountain, just outside of Moncton. I ride for the Fitworks Nextgen Team.
How did you get started in cycling? I heard at school that there were tryouts for Les Jeux de l’Acadie, so I gave it a shot, even though I had never mountain biked in my life. I made the Sud-Est team and completely fell in love with the sport from there.
What’s been your proudest cycling moment so far? Honestly, it’s been watching myself grow, not just as a cyclist, but as a person. Cycling has pushed me outside my comfort zone, taught me how to stay resilient, and helped me build confidence that carries over into every part of my life.
What does it mean to you to represent NB at the Canada Games? This will be my second time representing NB at the Canada Games, after competing in Niagara in 2022, so it means a lot! I’ve had so many opportunities in cycling thanks to the community here, and being able to wear the NB jersey on a national stage is a way to give back and show how far we’ve come together.
What’s your favourite place to ride in NB? White Rock in Hillsborough, hands down, but I also have to shoutout my home trails at the Dieppe Rotary Park. The trails are technical, fun, and always offer a great challenge.
What’s one goal you’ve set for yourself at the Games? I just want to give my 100%, race with everything I’ve got, and hopefully make some new friends along the way! And up my pin trading game! (IYKYK)
Any pre-race rituals or must-have gear? I like to listen to a good playlist while warming up, it helps me get in the zone and stay focused.
Who’s your biggest supporter or role model in cycling? My biggest supporter is definitely my family they’ve always believed in me and supported me through every step of this journey.
But I also have to shout out my coach Rob, he’s the one who helps me chase my goals and keeps me grounded through the highs and lows.
As for role models, I look up to all strong female cyclists who race hard and give back to the sport.