In the early hours of this morning, many Macedon Ranges residents sat up to see Lauretta Hanson and her two Australian teammates compete in the 158 kms women’s road race at the Olympic Games in France.
Hanson, a 29-year-old professional rider who grew up on a farm at Fern Hill, went to Tylden Primary School and Sacred Heart College and rode with the Kyneton/Macedon Ranges Cycling Club, was the team leader.
She finished in 22nd position, with time trial gold medallist Grace Brown 23rd, and Ruby Roseman-Garner 39th after being skittled in a mid-race crash.
For Lauretta, it was the experience of a lifetime to ride for her country in the Olympics.
“The crowds were phenomenal. We went out there and gave it our best,” she said after the race.
“Unfortunately we had a little bit of bad luck losing Ruby in the crash, but we tried and that’s all you can ask for.”
The Macedon Ranges got several ‘plugs’ from commentators during the race as they referred to Lauretta when she made moves in the peloton.
American replacement rider Kristen Faulkner won the gold medal.
Lauretta Hanson in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. 
Some of Sacred Heart College’s 2024 Great Vic Bike Ride participants take a break from training to show their support of past student, Olympian Lauretta Hanson.
