When Tracy Falbo first got word that she had qualified for this year’s 2022 Gran Fondo World Championships in Italy, she did not take it seriously.
The Operational Services supervisor had only been riding competitively for four years.
“This wasn’t really on my radar; I didn’t know I’d qualified,” Tracy said.
“When I got the email, I actually thought it was spam at first and I wasn’t going to answer it.”
However, this ultimate quiet achiever is also fiercely determined, and she loves a challenge.
That is demonstrated daily in her role at Mackay Base Hospital, where she heads up a team of more than 120 operational services staff and interacts with every department from Infection Prevention to Theatre and Clinical.
Her team cover the hospital’s porterage, cleaning, waste, Mackay-based courier work, gardening and wards work.
“I do love my job; it’s very rewarding and we have a good rapport in our team,” she said.
“We take care of all the moving parts and provide the muscle for the hospital.
“For example, members of our team assist on the wards with transferring and discharging patients; we ensure the cleaning is done promptly ahead of another patient arriving.
“We are relied upon to do a lot of the important jobs at the grassroots level, to keep the hospital functioning smoothly.”
Tracy was encouraged by a girlfriend to enter the city’s River 2 Reef Ride in 2019, and she caught the cycling bug.
“Me being a little competitive and wanting a new challenge, I embraced it,” she said.
“I joined the Mackay Cycling Club and began competing in yearly club events – races, time trials.”
The next year Tracy competed in the ITT state championships in Brisbane and won gold in the individual time trial for her Masters age group.
“That definitely fuelled the passion.”
She defended the title a year later (in 2021) winning gold again.
She also took on the national championships, winning silver in the ITT time trial and gold in both the criterium and road race.
That also meant she qualified for the Gran Fondo, hailed as ‘the world’s most prestigious amateur cycling event’.
Though she was initially unsure if she could do it, Tracy began the arduous task of preparing with a short lead time, spending approximately 13 hours a week training.
“I did general endurance, and I was climbing Eungella and Mt Blackwood,” she said.
“But nothing I could do here could really prepare me for the Gran Fondo.
“Adjusting to the climate and elevation, you’re in a different country and trying to navigate and translate – though I had my partner there to act as my ‘swannie’ (soigneur - pronounced swan-yer which means ‘one who provides care’).
“The enormity of it was another level again.”
Tracy competed in the individual time trial (M3 – 40-44 years) which is a 19.6km event and took on the 86km Mediofondo.
Though initially tracking well in the individual, she did not achieve the result she wanted, finishing 13th out of 30.
However, she relished the whole experience.
“I like a challenge; I like the hard work and benefit.
“It’s a good release, helps deal with stress, and I like to stay fit and healthy.”
But her main motivation is to be a good role model to her children (two daughters aged 20 and 19 and a 17-year-old son).
She already has her sights set on the next challenge – the Tour de Brisbane next year – and will definitely consider going to next year’s Gran Fondo in Glasgow, Scotland if she qualifies.
Contributed by Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Tracy Falbo ready to compete in Italy
Tracy Falbo in her role at Mackay base Hospital
