Our final blog post for International Women’s Day 2025 features Annabel Fisher, the reigning British Gravel Champion. Annabel’s path to cycling was anything but conventional, yet her journey has led her to the pinnacle of competition. Now a professional athlete across two sports—cycling and skiing—she embodies resilience, discipline, and an unshakable belief in pushing the limits. In this interview, Annabel shares her thoughts on mental strength, overcoming setbacks, and the mindset required to win at the highest level.
Why Gravel? Annabel’s Journey into the Sport
Annabel, what drew you to gravel cycling? What keeps you going through the tough moments?
“Why? Because I can. Being a professional athlete is a privilege. I’m extra privileged because I get to be a professional athlete in two sports (cycling and skiing). I believe that if you have the capacity to compete at the highest level, it absolutely must be respected and exploited. And why gravel cycling in particular…? Well, it’s hard, really hard and I find it’s much more honest than some other disciplines in the way that it’s much more of an individual effort, there aren’t big teams and pelotons to hide in, you’re exposed, and I like that.
I’ve always been into high performing physical arts, first as a dancer and sports in school which transitioned into adulthood and now a profession. So I didn’t really ‘start’… it’s in my DNA, but cycling specifically was actually because of a boy. Classic story—he introduced me to his sport (bikes) and it turned out I was a lot (a LOT) better than him. Needless to say we are no longer on speaking terms.
When it gets hard and I need to find a reason to keep going, I revert back to my response to ‘why’… because I can. Because it’s a privilege. But also, honestly, because right now in my life I wouldn’t know what else to do. Professional sport is my everything, and I love it.“
Bonus insight: “During a race, if it gets tough, I always tell myself, ‘If I’m hurting, they’re hurting more.’”
Celebrating Achievements: Annabel’s Proudest Moments
We often don’t take enough time to celebrate ourselves or each other. What’s your proudest cycling moment?
“Of course becoming the British Gravel Champion was an extremely proud moment. Because it’s globally recognised. A national champ jersey is a national champ jersey. There’s no need to translate or justify the victory. And I had some family there watching me, which is really rare because I don’t live close to any member of my immediate family, so for them to see me win was super special.
It took a lot of mental and emotional strength to win that race. I could talk to you about the amount of training required but everyone there needs to train… what it really took was resistance on a human level…to keep fighting through the waves of utter shit that hit you far too regularly in sport and to believe I can still win.”
Keeping Girls in Sport: Advice from Annabel
A recent study found that over two-thirds of teenage girls quit sports altogether by the time they are 16 or 17.
Annabel, how did you navigate this challenging time, and what advice do you have for teenage girls thinking about quitting?
“Structure. Find structure, discipline and routine. I was lucky that social media didn’t exist when I was that age, but other things did that could have become devastatingly toxic, but I had discipline. The majority of which came from my education and parents, which at the time I occasionally disliked them for, but now I’m eternally grateful.
If you’re thinking about quitting, fine, quit, but only quit because you’ve completely exhausted all options to keep going. And don’t quit because of someone else, make every decision based on your own desires. Sometimes it takes quitting to realise what an amazing opportunity you had… so think about this and don’t have regrets.”
Inspiring Female Athletes: Who Motivates Annabel?
Who is your biggest female athlete inspiration?
“Maria Canins. She’s a multisport champion. She won some mythical cross country skiing races before turning to cycling and won the Tour de France twice and the Giro. Amazing.”
Final Thoughts
Annabel Fisher’s journey highlights the mindset of a true competitor—one who embraces the privilege of sport, thrives in high-pressure environments, and refuses to back down from a challenge. Her perspective reminds us that success isn’t just about physical ability; it’s about discipline, mental toughness, and an unrelenting belief in one’s own potential.
As we close this International Women’s Day series, we celebrate the incredible women who have shaped British gravel cycling, each with their own unique journey, challenges, and triumphs. Here’s to many more years of inspiring female champions paving the way for the next generation.
