[1] She was Irish Ladies mountain biking champion six times,[1] and rode in a range of national and international MTB and road races, including stage events and the World Championships.
She was then selected to ride at the Sydney Olympic Games,[1] with funding of 3000 euro a year from the Sports Council and earnings as a gym instructor.
After the 2000 Olympics, Owens decided to pursue a professional road racing career, and moved from the Helly Hansen team to accept an offer from the Michaela Fanini team for the 2001 season, making her Ireland's first professional female cyclist[1] (one or two cyclists had earlier been offered posts but had remained amateur).
[1] With her then partner Robin Seymour,[1] Ireland's top-ranked mountain biker, Owens competed in, and won, the mixed category of the seven-day 2005 TransRockies Challenge.
[citation needed] Owens qualified as an osteopath in 2012 and is owner and lead operator of Roundwood Osteopathy and Sports Clinic.