A FORMER runner who only began cycling 18 months ago has been recruited into Rochelle Gilmore's Wiggle Honda pro women's team — and begins her racing career next week in the Cronulla Grand Prix.
Joanne Tralaggan, marketing manager of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, impressed over the past six months of racing around Waratah Park, Sutherland.
She now joins the likes of three-time Italian world champion Giorgia Bronzini, British world champion Elinor Barker, British Olympic champions Laura Trott, Danielle King and Joanna Rowsell and German world champ Charlotte Becker, as well as fellow shire champion, Cronulla's Commonwealth Games champ Rochelle Gilmore.
"It is a dream come true," said Tralaggan, more used to wheeling her opinion from behind her travel desk.
"My life has just been a whirlwind the past week since I was told I'd been accepted into this team.
"My Dad was a brilliant runner but because of my flat feet, I had problems. I tried triathlon but then found my feet in cycling."
Gilmore said she was "tipped off" by someone who had seen Tralaggan "beating the men" at Sutherland.
"She is a great story," Gilmore said.
The top UCI team has 18 riders on contract and 15 full-time staff.
