Woman Racer Spotlight: Emma Martin

Name: Emma Martin

Hometown: Sheffield, UK / Limoges, France

How did you get into cycling? As an unfit 20-year-old, I started running and orienteering at university and got into cycling through MTB orienteering. In my thirties, my body stopped coping with competitive running, and, as my 6-year-old was bike-mad, I started cycling more and got into MTB and CX racing. 

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? I’ve been on Zwift since 2016 – I used to find 30 mins before work a great way to set up the day. Racing on Zwift took a little longer but I’ve been loving it since 2020.

Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes.  I joined Aeonian RT in 2021 after riding Catrina Weiss’ women’s events on Saturdays and Sundays for a long time – best thing I ever did.

What do you love most about racing? There are so many things I love, from, the growth of women on the start line, the feeling of working hard and achieving a goal, to the friendships made – my closest friends have come through cycling and racing. 

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)?  I love a points race and a TTT.  The first because I enjoy the punchy style of racing, and the second because it’s all about working together.

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? Ohhhh tough question.  I love being part of the ZRL each year but I also have loved being on the commentary this year for Boudicca and the Iceni Race Series, as watching the performance and calling the action has been fabulous.  I also have loved leading the WOW (Women’s only Wednesday Chaingang) for the last 3 winters. It’s not a race, but normally turns into one!

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Outside: topping the podium in the women’s category in Mountain Mayhem (24-hr MTB race) with my teamies was right up there along with finally getting a podium in the National MTB XCO Veterans category after finishing 4th for too many races!  Racing the World Masters Cyclocross Championships too, but ultimately it has been the love, support and friendships made from the women racing that has always made racing memorable. Sounds soppy but so true! Inside: my most memorable racing experience is returning to racing in Cat D this ZRL season after being off the bike for 18 months due to cardiac issues post Covid.  The support from AEO during this time and the ability to DS whilst not on the bike was a life saver.  

What is your favourite food to eat post race? I like a strong cup of tea post bike race, but when commentating, a large tub of ice cream!

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Just do it – start with a women’s only race, or a short one, and you won’t look back.

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? I am looking forward to getting stronger again on the bike this summer and racing more regularly.