‘Epic MTB’ 15-year-old schoolgirl secures contract with top Polish trade team

Drozdziok has been living in Ireland since she was 9 years old and her riding has significantly developed

By Caroline Martinez

Mountain biking prodigy Marlena Drozdziok is well known on the Irish scene and as part of her team, Epic MTB, she has already built a pretty decent palmares. At just 15 years old, she has now secured a contract with Polish racing team Bolmet Trek Legnica.

It’s a dream come true for the schoolgirl who will spend 2013 racing internationally on mainland Europe. Her team caters for young leading cyclists and she’s one of six girls her age.

“I've always cycled.” said Drozdziok

“When I came to Ireland, I got a new bike and I started mountain biking with my dad. My dad gave me the idea.”

Marlena was just 9-years-old when she moved to Ireland from Poland with her parents who came here to look for work. She soon found herself racing and winning against boys and older athletes.

“My parents were pushing me into many different sports. I first started mountain biking in Ballinastoe, and that’s also where I participated in my first race”; the Biking Blitz where she finished 3rd among the U14 boys.

“Ireland is a really small country and there isn’t much big competition although riders are always friendly. In Ireland every spin is great craic and makes for great adventures. I don't have much experience racing abroad. I have only raced abroad in Poland over the last two seasons. There, races are much bigger.”

“I'm the only girl here racing in my age group whereas in Poland we are about 15 to 20 girls racing.”

The move to the new team also comes at the perfect time as it falls during Marlena’s school transition year. Although she says school is the most important thing right now, she can at least focus more seriously on her training.

“I always train after school and races are always over the weekend. I don't really have time to go out with my friends I always have homework and training to do.”

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Based in Blanchardstown, Dublin, she said growing up in Ireland wasn’t hard and she still prefers to live in Ireland.

“I always spent my free time in Poland, for the summer and Christmas holidays. I don't know what my parents are going to do but I would prefer to stay in Ireland. I have a lot of friends in school. Ireland is a very good country for training and racing. So I would prefer to keep Ireland as my base.”

In two weeks, Marlena will be flying to Italy to train on the road with her new team. She is also excited about getting two team-issue Trek bikes for the season.

“My hopes for 2013 are to do my best in the new team. I want to part in the Mountain Bike Junior World Cup this year, as three of the races take place Europe.”

“Last year, I also started to race on the road. I really liked it and it was a really good experience for me. The team’s coach is planning on sending us to the Polish National Championships on the road.”

Looking at Marlena’s palmares, she would indeed be a great addition to the Irish international scene. However, she’s not sure yet whether declaring for Ireland would be a good move for her.

“I'm still thinking about that. I would like to cycle for Ireland but still don't have an Irish passport and it's not easy to find a good coach and to get sponsored.”