O'Shea takes step toward Olympic dream

After her best finish to date, Bendigo's Katherine O'Shea has her sights firmly set on the next Olympic Games in London. The 29-year-old business analyst won the cross country race at the Australian national mountain bike series round held in the Gold Coast hinterland on Saturday.

The former softballer switched to mountain biking just three years ago after being selected for a development program for mountain bikers. The "Dirt Roads to London" program aims to prepare Australian female riders for the London 2012 Olympics.

O'Shea praised the program aimed at building Australia's depth in women's cross country. "It's been fantastic. It got me into the sport and it's great having the other girls around to encourage you to turn up to these races."

She will head overseas to race internationally next year and when asked if her long term goal of making the London Olympics was now closer she said, "Yeah for sure. Bring it on."

In the race Saturday, O'Shea defeated series leader Jodie Willett and Jo Wall.