Michelle Corbett - Konica Minolta's Rising Star

12 February 2009

Konica Minolta's Michelle Corbett's year has begun with a flying start. With her three dominant back to back victories in the Fast One, Berge and Dale and Emperors Classic, she is again proving to be the odds on favorite for the National Championships to be held in early March. The young Konica Minolta Sprinter was written off by many of her critics in the 2nd half of 2008, this despite having won the SA Junior Tour, South Africa Time Trial Championships and SA Road Championships. When asked about her lack of notable results from July till November Michelle quipped " I'm still a young rider and my focus last year was on SA's followed by the build up to world Championships. Too many young athletes in SA race week in week out, without any real focus. In 2009 I'm stronger and more motivated than ever."

Over recent years, Konica Minolta have claimed the South Africa junior girl's race as their own. In 2007 Cherise Taylor won the title in both the Time Trial and the road race. In 2008 Konica went one better taking 1st and second in the junior girl's road race and 1st overall in the Time Trial.

When Michelle Corbett put her leg over a bike 7 years ago, she had no idea where cycling would cycling would one day take her. With the enthusiastic support of her parents, the young Victory House Private School student has flourished over recent years, and is developing into an accomplished sprinter and time trialist. This ability, put together with her calm demeanor and maturity gives the 17 year old all the tools she needs to develop further in the tough sport of pro cycling.

After riding for Mr Price in 2007 and achieving some notable results, many people took notice of her ability, but it was Konica Minolta who put pen to paper and signed the youngster onto the team. In 2009 Michelle will remain as the only female rider being developed by Konica Minolta. Team manager John Robertson stated that "Michelle is a special girl, and despite her accomplishments she has remained the same calm down to earth person. I'm very positive about her future as a professional cyclist."

With such raw talent, it is no wonder that many people believe Michelle is capable of repeating her 2008 performances as a second year junior in 2009. Her early season focus will be events such as SA Junior girls TT and road championships, followed by the Junior Tour to be held in early April. The young sprinter remains very focused on her build-up to the world Junior Championships. Konica Minolta plans to allow Michelle to race in Europe from April onwards, and from there make her way to Russia for the Junior World Championships in July. Understandably, Corbett is "very excited about the opportunity to travel, race and meet interesting new people". It seems that destiny put her on the right path all those years ago.