Remembering Paige: A Light That Will Never Dim
Way back in 2015, on an early Tuesday morning, I met a young woman named Paige Greco. Her mum had driven her out to the Yarra Boulevard in Kew — The Boulie, as we all know it. Every Tuesday we hosted a women’s ride to introduce new riders to the group, and it was Paige’s first time joining us.
I remember it so clearly. As we climbed my nemesis hill, I was grunting and groaning while Paige floated up beside me like a mountain goat, chatting away without missing a beat. She told me she’d come from Para Athletics, was giving cycling a try, and asked if I thought she could become a para cyclist and make it to the Paralympics. There I was barely breathing, and she was a breath of fresh air. Through the gasping I just said, “You’ve got nothing to worry about — you can absolutely do it.”
She soon became a regular on our St Kilda Cycling Club rides, especially our Women’s Wednesday ride along Beach Road. She always had that smile — bright, effortless, genuine — no matter the pace or the weather.
In 2018 she made the decision to move to Adelaide to train, and I was honestly heartbroken. She’d become important to me. We said goodbye knowing our paths would cross again on the Australian team — and they did. I ended up rooming with her more often than not. I still remember a World Cup in Canada: she’d won the time trial and, after placing in the road race, was in tears. When I asked why, she said, “I don’t think Jamie and Denise like me… they wouldn’t let me ride with them.” I had to hold back a laugh. I told her they weren’t avoiding her — they were scared of her strength. That’s who Paige was: she liked everyone and hoped everyone liked her too. And they did.
Jamie messaged me just days ago to say she had the best conversation with Paige at this year’s Road Worlds. Competitors, yes — but also friends. That was the effect Paige had on people.
She faced some incredibly tough years — the crash in Italy, missing the Paris team, health challenges — but she fought back with a resilience that still blows me away. She was on her way back to the top. She was hungry for it. Ready for it.
But the universe had other plans. On the 16th of November, a medical episode took Paige from us. She had just moved back to Adelaide, and I’ve been told she had a beautiful ride the day before and was genuinely happy. I hold onto that — that she was in a good place and excited for her next chapter.
I will forever love that beautiful young woman. Her smile, her spirit, her sunshine. Paige, you will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, my friend.
