Taking it to the top: Edwina Tops-Alexander reveals her thoughts on LGCT Final
The clock is counting down to the 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour season finale, where one rider will be crowned the overall LGCT Champion of Champions. Throughout the year we’ve had three riders on top, however as the days draw us closer to Doha and the final Grand Prix of the year, it’s become a clear two horse race to the finish. Leading lady, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) is no stranger to being at the sharp end of the grid, with the two time LGCT Champion of Champions poised to make history should she secure a historic third win of her career.
But the top Australian rider is under no illusions just how tough that will be, and remains extremely focused and humble about the challenge and potential before her. We caught up with Edwina to get her thoughts ahead of the final, what her tactics will be, and what her highlights from the season have been so far…
As we head to the final in Doha, could you summarise your season so far? New venues, new challenges, what have been the highlights of the year on LGCT?
I'm very happy with my season and very fortunate to have amazing horses, management and team behind me. Obviously winning the first leg in Miami was amazing for me especially with Tequila. Miami is an incredible and unique event on the Tour and I love to be there.
Mexico had the most unbelievable atmosphere and winning the GCL teams event there was a great way to start the season. Mexico had thousands of people every day for every event and they were behind everyone so the feeling to ride in the ring was very special considering it was the first time ever at this particular venue in the heart of Mexico City.
I think the highlight of this year will be the final in Doha though; there has been so many changes on the leaderboard which has made it very exciting.
If you win the LGCT Champion of Champions title you'll write history by being the first rider to EVER take the title three times. What is the significance of that and what would it mean to you?
Of course it would be amazing and it would mean a lot to my overall success as a rider. Everybody likes to be known for making history but my aim is just to keep my head down and do my best.
You've seen the Tour grow from strength to strength over the course of the years it's been running, how have you seen it evolve and what does it mean to be so high up on the LGCT rankings - what is key for a good result?
I've competed in every GCT Grand Prix except for one so I've seen it grow so vastly over these 11 years; although time has passed away it's still getting more and more exciting each year and all the riders are always aiming to either stay or get to the top 30 to be able to ride in these competitions. Competing against the best riders in the world at these events makes the competition very intense and challenging so it's fantastic to win because you're winning against the best all the time. This is also important as a sportsperson to keep your level high and to know what you have to work towards to achieve success.
To be high in the rankings shows that I've had a great season and the key to this is what I've always said - it's just plain old consistency.
You also know Rolf very well, there are just five points between you as you go into the final - what would be his key strengths and do you have any tactics or strategies for the final Grand Prix?
I think Rolf has a lot of experience which definitely is a big strength and he has been trying to win this final many times. He has been so close so I know it's important for him to win. We have been in similar positions already a few times though I was ahead of him and ended up winning.
My tactic is just to do my best and be on the podium. Although 5 points doesn't sound like much with the drop off scores it does work towards Rolf so I have to have a very good result on the day to win. But everything is possible and at the end of the day there is only one of us that can win and one of us to be second.
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