Ellesse Andrews

Ellesse Andrews is a New Zealand track cyclist and the finest sprinter her country has produced. Born on December 31, 1999, in Christchurch, she has built a career defined by explosive power and tactical poise, with four Olympic medals to her name. She is the reigning Olympic champion in both the keirin and the sprint, having swept those events at Paris 2024.

Andrews races for Cycling New Zealand and trains in Cambridge, a town known as the hub of elite cycling in the country. Her Instagram bio, which lists her Olympic medals with emojis, reflects a straightforward pride in her achievements. As of 2026, she remains one of the most dominant figures in women's track sprinting, with her sights set on further international titles. [edit]

Ellesse Andrews was born at Christchurch Women's Hospital on New Year's Eve 1999, the last day of the 20th century. Growing up in Christchurch, she was surrounded by sport: her father's cycling career gave her an early introduction to the track. She began riding competitively in her early teens, quickly showing a natural aptitude for sprint events. Her early development centred on local velodromes in Christchurch, where she balanced school with rigorous training.

She attended school in Christchurch while her cycling career began to take shape. Her first major international moment came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, where she made her senior debut for New Zealand at just 18 years old. That early exposure to top-level competition proved formative, setting the stage for her rise to the top of the sprint ranks. [edit]

Andrews' international career took off at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where she claimed a silver medal in the keirin, her first Olympic podium. She followed that with a treble of gold medals at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, winning the keirin, sprint, and team sprint. The Paris 2024 Olympics were her crowning achievement: she won gold in both the keirin and the sprint, and added a silver in the team sprint, becoming a four-time Olympic medallist.

At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, held at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, she took a bronze in the 1km time trial, having been "a fraction off her best" but showing "the fight of a champion." She also competed in the keirin final, where she was boxed in and sitting last with a lap to go before fighting back. She admitted that returning to the track after Paris "has been an adjustment." Her performances kept her within reach of New Zealand's all-time Commonwealth Games gold record, which has stood for 60 years. Andrews is managed by Nicole Antonelli of Halo Sport and remains a central figure in New Zealand's cycling programme. [edit]

Andrews is widely regarded as the finest track cyclist New Zealand has ever produced, a label that carries both weight and expectation. Media coverage often highlights her determination and competitive fire, with NBC Olympics noting how she dominated the women's sprint final at Paris 2024. Her racing style blends raw power with tactical intelligence, especially in the keirin, where she reads the race and strikes at the right moment.

On social media, she comes across as professional and focused, sharing training updates and competition results rather than personal content. There is no official fandom name, but her achievements have made her a source of national pride, and her Instagram bio, which lists her Olympic medals, speaks to a quiet confidence that resonates with fans. [edit]

Ellesse Andrews is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine but holds no placement in the published rankings, a status that reflects her standing as a highly specialized athlete rather than a global pop culture figure. While she commands significant attention within New Zealand and among cycling enthusiasts, she has not crossed the threshold required for inclusion in the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top lists as of August 2026. Her public profile remains anchored in athletic achievement rather than celebrity circulation, with her reach defined by the specific demographics of track cycling fans and national supporters rather than a broad international fanbase. The audience surrounding Andrews is characterized by general national pride and engagement through standard social media channels, where she maintains an Instagram presence with approximately 14,900 followers. There is no formal name for her fandom, nor are there documented instances of organized subcultures, internal rituals, or fan-funded campaigns such as billboard drives or subway advertisements. Unlike many icons who inspire chart pushes or charity initiatives in their name, Andrews' support base operates through direct appreciation of her competitive record. Her interaction with this audience is described as effervescent and focused on connection, yet it lacks the structured lore of viral incidents or crowd disruptions found in other spheres. The cultural mythology attached to her career is built almost entirely on verified competitive milestones, most notably her historic success at the Paris 2024 Olympics and her earlier achievements in Tokyo. Recent narrative arcs, including her shock exit from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games semifinals, have added layers of dramatic tension to her story, framing her journey as one of resilience amidst high-stakes competition. This focus on athletic performance ensures that her legend remains strictly within the realm of sport, defined by explosive power and tactical brilliance rather than the chaotic energy of celebrity culture.[edit]

Ellesse Mote Andrews holds the rank of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to cycling and is a second-generation Olympian, having followed her father Jon to the Games. Born on December 31, 1999, she is one of the youngest athletes to achieve such success, having been born on the last day of the 20th century. Based in Cambridge, a town renowned as a hub for elite cycling, she maintains an Instagram handle @ellesseandrews with roughly 14.9K followers. Her racing style in the keirin is defined by explosive sprints and tactical patience. Beyond these established facts, her legend includes dominating the women's sprint final at Paris 2024 to secure gold, a victory widely cited as a peak moment of explosive power and tactical brilliance. Another defining chapter involves her shock exit from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games semifinals after qualifying ninth fastest, a significant upset for the defending champion. This was followed by a dramatic struggle in the Keirin final where she appeared boxed in with a lap to go, only to demonstrate resilience in subsequent comebacks. Her journey from a Tokyo 2020 silver medalist to a Perth World Cup returnee in March 2026 illustrates a career marked by high-stakes competition and enduring public interest.[edit]

Ellesse Andrews comes from a cycling family. Her father, Jon Andrews, represented New Zealand in track cycling at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, competing in the team pursuit. That background shaped her early interest in the sport. She was born in Christchurch and later moved to Cambridge, New Zealand, to train. As of 2026, she has not publicly shared details about siblings or other family members, keeping her personal life largely private. [edit]

Ellesse Andrews is the daughter of Jon Andrews, a former Olympic track cyclist. She is managed by Nicole Antonelli of Halo Sport. Her rivals include Welsh sprinter Emma Finucane, who set records at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and other top international sprinters. [edit]

Ellesse Andrews has kept her personal life out of the public eye. As of 2026, there are no confirmed reports of her dating, being engaged, or married. She has not shared details about any romantic relationships on her social media or in interviews. Her focus appears to be entirely on her cycling career, and she has not been linked to any high-profile partners in the media. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Ellesse Andrews' net worth to be $1 Million as of 2026. Her financial standing derives primarily from her contract with Cycling New Zealand, which provides a high-performance athlete salary alongside performance bonuses linked to Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals. New Zealand's Olympic programme rewards medallists with substantial financial incentives, and her four Olympic medals have contributed significantly to her earnings. Additional income flows from sponsorship and endorsement deals, though specific commercial partners have not been publicly disclosed. While track cycling is not among the highest-paying sports globally, Andrews' status as a multiple Olympic champion has likely enhanced her marketability. Appearance fees at track events and potential speaking engagements further augment her revenue. Her net worth is modest compared to mainstream sports stars, yet it reflects a solid career in a niche discipline where elite performance yields tangible, albeit specialized, financial rewards.[edit]

Ellesse Andrews has won four Olympic medals, including two golds at Paris 2024. She also has multiple Commonwealth Games medals, including a treble of golds in 2022. Her honours include being appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to cycling. [edit]