By Chloe Gowdie
A former Aussie flag-bearer who raced against Mark Cavendish at the 2006 Commonwealth Games is one of the key project managers at Gowdie Management Group.
With the Commonwealth Games currently taking place at the Gold Coast, it’s an opportune time to reflect on one of Gowdie Management’s very own project managers and former cycling champion, Ashley Hutchinson.
For those who don’t know of Hutchinson, he took home the world title in 2004 in the team pursuit division – a track cycling event involving two teams of four – and he placed third the following year in the same event. Hutchinson also managed to achieve second place in the 20km scratch race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, with the gold going to the famous Mark Cavendish. Hutchinson has also won the World Cup, Australian and Oceania titles on the racing track and saw a moderate career on the road riding for Continental and Pro Continental teams; his strength being in sprint finishes.
Under all of these glossy achievements, however, there is a motivated, driven, determined and hardworking team member.
A tough BMX competitor at the age of three, Hutchinson discovered his passion for cycling very early on. After finishing year twelve, Hutchinson embarked on a carpentry apprenticeship, however it didn’t take long for him to realise that professional cycling was his true calling.
With the assistance of his supportive parents and grandparents he was on a flight from Cairns to Brisbane in no time, where he quickly progressed from making Queensland teams, to getting an AIS scholarship and eventually riding for Australia.
To be able to achieve all that he has, Hutchinson underwent intense and grueling training regimes, overcoming physical and mental challenges.
“I can remember…when crashing the bike only 50km into a 180km race and there was no time out or substitute to take your place. The only option was to get back on your bike with your clothes torn open, skin missing, bleeding and just keep racing” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson finished his professional cycling career in 2006; now at 38, he’s continues to ride his bike and is a Team Gowdie participant in the annual five-day Chain Reaction charity ride, which raises money for terminally ill children.
Hutchinson dedicates himself to whatever task he’s set and has an innate ability for hard work that is strongly exemplified by his project management work at Gowdie Management Group.
We are lucky to have such a steadfast person on the team.