OUR CHAT W/
CLAUDIA MARCKS:

U.S. Crit Racing, Olympic Goals,and Custom Cycling Kit

Our chat with Claudia Marcks - Crits, Olympics, Custom Kit & More

When Claudia (@claud_marx) first reached out, it was clear she wasn’t just looking for kit. She had a vision for her season ahead … racing across the U.S., building her own privateer crit race program, and working toward long-term goals like Olympic selection. 

She wanted a custom kit that could reflect that journey, showcase her sponsors, and feel truly her own. As a designer, she was excited to influence the design process and make something that matched her story.

Her pitch was intriguing. We saw someone with talent, purpose, and a clear voice and we knew we wanted to help amplify her story. At Pedla, we love supporting riders like Claudia, helping them chase big dreams and inspiring others to do the same.

If you’re working toward your own racing goals or dreaming of going pro, there’s a lot to take from Claudia’s story. Her approach shows what’s possible when you back yourself.
Claudia is now racing across the U.S., standing on international podiums, and creating content that brings her community along with her. Here’s where she’s at, in her own words.

Claudia’s Cycling Journey So Far

What first drew you to cycling? Was there a moment where you thought, “This is it for me”?

I was first introduced to cycling thanks to my younger brother, Eddie. He found an interest in track cycling in 2016, and I was soon convinced to try it out. 13-year-old me had tried nearly every sport under the sun at this point. Cycling, track cycling specifically, was the first sport I felt I could seriously progress in. Within my first season of track cycling, I was selected to represent the ACT State Track Cycling team at Nationals, and I’ve been competing at the Australian National Championships ever since. I’m now representing Australia on the international stage at Nations Cups (Adelaide 2024, Turkey 2025), and hopefully World Championships at the end of the year.

Road cycling however, I dreaded for a long time. In the early years of my cycling career as a junior cyclist, I struggled with motivation in between finishing high school and wanting to be a ‘normal’ teenager. I loved the uniqueness of the sport, and the success it gave me, but it meant managing a lot of time, energy and relationships to be in the position I was in. It wasn’t till I finished high school and had the space to choose what I wanted to do with my time, where I came to appreciate the process of training and road cycling.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of cycling?

I love being creative! I grew up learning how to sew and now enjoy making up-cycled textiles out of recycled materials. I don’t find enough time for it these days, but if I’m in one place for an extended period of time, and have a sewing machine, I’ll whip up a few things for friends and family! I post some of my projects on projectrabbit.au if you’re interested in checking it out ☺

Racing Criterium Across the USA

Can you tell us a bit about where you’re based and what a typical week looks like for you right now?

Currently moving place to place in the U.S following criterium races. I arrived beginning of June landing in Philadelphia PA, and have been to New York, Milwaukee WI, Denver CO and Chicago IL. There’s been a lot of racing which is something I can’t experience to the same capacity in Australia. I will have a total of 25 races in my 3-month block in USA. I use the racing to train intensity, which means any non-race days in-between I’m often doing a few easy hours on the bike to keep up my endurance base.

Each week has been different; different cities, different terrains, different climates, which changes how I approach my training in between races. I’ve been focusing heavily on fuelling and recovery, particularly with all the race days and travel.

You’ve raced all over the world. What’s been a standout moment for you so far?

My first USA American crit racing season changed my view on professional cycling. I always knew chasing professional road cycling contracts in Europe was not for me. I loved the short nature and high intensity of track cycling, and had no appeal to ride much longer than 3hrs in a single sitting.

Being introduced to American crit racing shifted my career. The racing was fast paced, high power, and challenged your bunch navigation, all skills that highly compliment the track. The compact criterium race calendar meant that I could race 20+ races in just 2 months! That’s more than double the elite road/crit race experiences I would get back home in Australia. After completing my first race season in the US, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to continue throughout the rest of my cycling career, and maybe even do it my own way, without a team!

From Track Cycling to Pro Road Goals

How do international racing environments (like the U.S. or Europe) compare to racing here in Australia?

Australia hosts a variety of grassroots programs and track/road cycling events which produce many talented riders across all disciplines. But we unfortunately don’t quite have the same numbers in elite-level events compared to other countries like Europe or the USA. High levels of participation in the sport are crucial for creating upwards pressure, challenging each rider to become a better cyclist against their competitors. Higher participation also makes it easier to create more teams, run more events, and gain or retain sponsors.

Many riders looking to chase a professional road team contract go over to Europe. I, however, always knew that the pro road racing lifestyle (mostly all the climbing) wasn’t for me. I was approached by an American criterium racing team, Fearless Femme Racing, who introduced me to the American crit racing scene.

America is like the final boss of crit racing compared to Australia. Over triple the participation in elite women’s fields, close to 10+ high-level races per month across the nation, prize and prime money in the thousands of USD, and most importantly, more people, supporters, and communities coming to spectate and support these events – even if they have no idea what’s going on!

How did it feel standing on the podium with a Nations Cup medal, representing Australia?

My first Nations Cup medal representing the Australian track cycling team was a bit of a surreal experience. This was my second Nations Cup, but my first ride with the Aussie ‘A’ team. It was special being a part of a team including former Commonwealth Games and Olympic medallists. Like many athletes,

Chasing US Crit Success and Olympic Cycling Dreams

What are your key goals for the next 12 months, both on and off the bike?

Biggest on-bike goal is to solidify my place in the Australian track cycling team. This also includes selection for the 2025 World Track Championships in Chile, and then the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

You’ve got an incredible ride schedule coming up. Is there a particular event you’re targeting?

All of my training and racing so far this season has been an effort to prepare as best as possible for the Track World Championships in October. I hope to be selected for the Team Pursuit event.

What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks you’ve had to push through?

One of the newest challenges has been supporting myself as a privateer, rather than joining a road or crit team this year. After experiencing 6 months of US racing within a team last year, I was excited by the idea of racing solo and navigating my own professional athlete image. I spent the best of August 2024 to January 2025 sending email after email to a variety of product and corporate sponsors, with an effort to bring together my own ‘team’ to support me throughout the 2025 season and beyond.

And I did it! It took time to perfect my proposals and my approach, but by March 2025…

Looking Ahead

What would you say to younger riders who want to follow a similar path to yours?

Be proactive, ask questions. Don’t be afraid to make your own pathway. If you really want something, you’ll make it happen.

Where do you see yourself in a few years—still racing, coaching, or something else entirely?

In managing my own sponsors this year, it’s made me think about the possibility of bringing together my own team one day! I know many Aussie riders would benefit from and enjoy the U.S. racing experience.

Ultimately, I hope to make the Brisbane 2032 Olympics! Competing in front of a home crowd would be a once in a lifetime experience.

After sport, I’d see myself ending up in a marketing or design career.

What inspires you to keep pedalling?

I had to think about this… I was going to say results, but it’s deeper than that. The cycling community and the people I meet on this journey is what makes me love this sport, and what keeps me in it. It’s special to be working with partners, like Pedla, who think beyond just a product, and how they can motivate riders to move forward.

Claudia Marcks on Instagram

Designing Her Own Custom Cycling Kit

You’ve been wearing our Custom Crit Suits, SuperFIT Bibs, and Pursuit Jerseys ... how do they hold up across different types of racing?

I have confidence in the quality and performance of all of my custom Pedla kit that I can rotate through all pieces when racing. The Pursuit Jersey and SuperFIT Bibs are my go-to for training days out of convenience, but I’ll happily pin a number to them too!

Is there a particular piece you reach for most often, and why?

SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Shorts is a clear staple for every ride. I love the seamless finish and the leg grips that don’t budge. I’m very particular when it comes to chamois, and don’t cut corners when it comes to finding quality bibs. I need to be able to train and race with comfort, and the SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Shorts do just that.

As someone with serious time in the saddle, what do you look for in performance kit?

A good chamois, high-quality materials, and seamless finishes – basically comfortable kit that lasts.

CLAUDIA SPONSORS

Photography by: Ron Short