KEY POINTS:
When Alison Shanks traded her netball bib and basketball boots for a set of wheels, she was embarking on the boldest sporting adventure of her life.
Since the promising goal attack turned her back on hoops and balls and switched to track cycling, she has raced to the top of her new sport, becoming a leading member of the burgeoning generation of Kiwi cyclist.
Shanks placed fourth in the individual pursuit last year at the Olympics and when she returned to Beijing this month for the World Cup she topped the podium.
What are your career goals for 2009?
We've got national champs in Invercargill at the beginning of March and World Champs in March as well - that's the big aim from here. Basically our season finishes in March with the track champs.
I'll have a break after that and head to America to go on the road. I'll pretty much be over there road racing until the track season starts here again at the end of October.
I actually haven't got a team to ride with over there. I'm playing it pretty casual at the moment and I'm looking to get guest rides but I haven't got a team for the full season at this stage. The flexibility will be good because, as a track specialist, it wouldn't be ideal to have to ride a whole road season.
What inspired you to embark on a career in sport?
I just grew up in a sporting environment. It's always been in the family - we were always a sporty lot. I played netball when I was eight and mum was coaching me in netball. I was heavily into basketball as well. We were always playing backyard cricket and getting out on our bikes.
When you were 13 years old were there any other sports you fancied yourself as a future star in?
Netball and basketball were my favourites. I grew up thinking Belinda Colling was pretty great. I played the same position and wanted to be a great netballer.Describe your job within your sport.I pedal as fast as I can around the track. It's pretty straightforward.
What is the best thing about your job?
I love the challenge of setting a goal and working bit by bit to achieve it - track cycling is good for that because it's very clear cut. The travel's great, too.
When you're heavily involved in sport - any sport - you get to travel and meet people.
And the worst?
Sometimes all that travel can be a drag. You get worn out with it. Then there are the times that I'm on a four-hour training ride and it's freezing cold.
What's your favourite venue to compete at?
Invercargill is pretty cool - to be in front of the home crowd and with that local support is awesome. The stand is really close to the action and all the facilities are first rate. We're lucky to have it.
Do you feel that your sport gets the amount of public attention it deserves?
We're a minority sport, there's no doubt about that. But we're getting more attention now after the recent success [at the Beijing Olympics and the World Champs]. But you have to work for it. You have to be doing well and when you do, everyone is interested.
Does rugby get too much attention in New Zealand?
It seems to be the big game. But that's just how it goes, I suppose.
What's been the proudest achievement in your sporting career?
A fourth-place finish at the Olympics and winning at the World Champs.
And your worst moment?
Getting dropped from the New Zealand under-19s netball team was really hard. I made it back into the New Zealand A team later on, but when you're young you take hits like that really hard.
What's the one career ambition you want to realise before you retire?
I want to set a world record. That's what everyone in a speed sport like mine wants to do - it means you've hit a mark no one else has ever done.
If you didn't work in sport, what would you be doing?
I studied marketing and nutrition and would probably be working at [major sponsor] Mizone. They actually offered me a position there a few years back, but I decided I wanted to put myself fully into cycling. They've been one of my big sponsors and have always been really good to me.
Who is the most inspirational coach you've dealt with?
I've got to say my current coach, Craig Palmer. He's also my boyfriend.
Who would play you in a movie?
Craig told me to say Pamela Anderson.
What's your hobby to get away from your sport?
I like drinking good coffee and I like drinking good wine.
Who was your childhood hero?
I really looked up to Belinda Colling and Donna Loffhagen. When I got older and got the chance to play with people who had always been my heroes it was a real thrill.
CV
* 2004 Plays for New Zealand A netball team.
* 2004 Switches sport to focus on cycling.
* 2005 First represents New Zealand at Oceania Games.
* 2008 Fourth-place finish at Beijing Olympics.
* 2009 First-place finish at Cycling World Cup in Beijing.
