For the pros the official start to the 2009 racing season is just two weeks away. Sho-Air/Specialized rider Sid Taberlay is poised to be a major player on this year's domestic racing scene. The five-time Australian National Champion brought his game stateside the middle of last season. Since then he has posted multiple high-level wins including 1st at the National Mountain Bike Series race in Los Olivos, California and the recent U.S. Cup opener at Bonelli Park.
Although Sid is a National Champion and a Beijing Olympian many American mountain bike fans are unfamiliar with the newcomer from down under. We took a moment to speak with Sid and let him introduce himself. We expect to be hearing a lot more from Sid Taberlay this season.
MTBracenews -How would you introduce yourself to the U.S. audience?
Sid Taberlay -One of the luckiest guys alive!
I have been living the dream; eight years of travelling the world and making a living from what I love doing - riding my bike. It may have taken many years of hard work and determination but I reached my goal of getting to the highest level, the Olympics.
Other results include:
5 x National Champion
World Cup Podium
World Championship Medal (2001)
MTB Tour de France Stage Winner
Although Sid is a National Champion and a Beijing Olympian many American mountain bike fans are unfamiliar with the newcomer from down under. We took a moment to speak with Sid and let him introduce himself. We expect to be hearing a lot more from Sid Taberlay this season.
MTBracenews -How would you introduce yourself to the U.S. audience?
Sid Taberlay -One of the luckiest guys alive!
I have been living the dream; eight years of travelling the world and making a living from what I love doing - riding my bike. It may have taken many years of hard work and determination but I reached my goal of getting to the highest level, the Olympics.
Other results include:
5 x National Champion
World Cup Podium
World Championship Medal (2001)
MTB Tour de France Stage Winner
MTBracenews -What brought you to the States after such a successful career in Australia?
SD -It was time to ground my feet, I have followed my wife to Los Angeles in support of her career.
She is the brains of the relationship being a medical research Doctor, the old saying, “it is not
rocket science” certainly doesn'’t apply to her. Cancer research has to be as close to cutting edge
as you get. Fingers crossed she will come up with a cure.
Fortunately for me I have met some great people along the way, including none other than Team
Sho-Air owner, Scott Tedro. Scott’s passion for mountain bikes is unquestionable; it is great to
have Scott’s support to be able to continue racing here in the States.
MTBracenews - What are your strengths as a racer?
SD -I know how to suffer! I can hold my own on a climb or descent but I guess my weakness is consistency. Though, flying 30+ hours to Europe and spending 5 months living out of a suitcase has its side effects.
MTBracenews- Your wins at Bonelli Park and Los Olivos featured tactical racing. Was that something you had planned or did the situations just develop?
SD -Every race is tactical; even for tight singletrack courses you need a game plan. I guess what you are asking is: What was the game plan on the more open courses (Bonelli, Los Olivos) where group work is stronger than any individual ability? Simply, it’s about position and being able to read the race as it goes. I'’ve spent enough time both on the MTB and road to have the experience to know when a break is going to be successful. I then just hope I have the legs to get to the line.
SD -It was time to ground my feet, I have followed my wife to Los Angeles in support of her career.
She is the brains of the relationship being a medical research Doctor, the old saying, “it is not
rocket science” certainly doesn'’t apply to her. Cancer research has to be as close to cutting edge
as you get. Fingers crossed she will come up with a cure.
Fortunately for me I have met some great people along the way, including none other than Team
Sho-Air owner, Scott Tedro. Scott’s passion for mountain bikes is unquestionable; it is great to
have Scott’s support to be able to continue racing here in the States.
MTBracenews - What are your strengths as a racer?
SD -I know how to suffer! I can hold my own on a climb or descent but I guess my weakness is consistency. Though, flying 30+ hours to Europe and spending 5 months living out of a suitcase has its side effects.
MTBracenews- Your wins at Bonelli Park and Los Olivos featured tactical racing. Was that something you had planned or did the situations just develop?
SD -Every race is tactical; even for tight singletrack courses you need a game plan. I guess what you are asking is: What was the game plan on the more open courses (Bonelli, Los Olivos) where group work is stronger than any individual ability? Simply, it’s about position and being able to read the race as it goes. I'’ve spent enough time both on the MTB and road to have the experience to know when a break is going to be successful. I then just hope I have the legs to get to the line.
MTBracenews -You made a big splash at Los Olivos last season beating North American greats like Todd Wells, Geoff Kabush, and JHK what should we expect from you this season?
SD -Hopefully plenty of time at the front of the race. The difference between 1st and 5th at this level is who is having a good day and who is just that little bit off. I have a great network of people around me, in particular, Scott, Ty and Sam at Sho-Air; and also with the backing of Mike,
Ben and Ned at Specialized. I’m sure I will be having many good days this year.
MTBracenews -You raced much of last season without a U.S. sponsor. What made you decide to sign with Sho-Air/Specialized?
SD -Hopefully plenty of time at the front of the race. The difference between 1st and 5th at this level is who is having a good day and who is just that little bit off. I have a great network of people around me, in particular, Scott, Ty and Sam at Sho-Air; and also with the backing of Mike,
Ben and Ned at Specialized. I’m sure I will be having many good days this year.
MTBracenews -You raced much of last season without a U.S. sponsor. What made you decide to sign with Sho-Air/Specialized?
SD -I'’ve formed a great relationship with Avanti Bikes Australia/New Zealand over the last 10 years, they are also the Specialized importers, making an easy switch to go from Avanti to Specialized mid season. Combining the relationship with Ned and the guys at Specialized (after riding with their Global Factory Team in 2005) and being able to continue my relationship with John Dawson at SRAM, I couldn'’t have asked for a better scenario. Then add Scott’s, “We’re doing it attitude” and the close proximity of being based in LA and Sho-Air in Orange County it all became a perfect fit.
MTBracenews -Do you plan to race outside the States this season?
SD -My main focus is the US Cup, outside that; I’ll probably go home in October to defend our 4-Man team National 24hr title. I love being able to line up with the boys (Chris, Brent and Perrin) and working as a team instead of racing each other all the time. The event also has a great atmosphere with 2500+ competitors and their support crews.
MTBracenews -How does racing in the States differ from racing in Australia?
SD -American has more depth of talent, since you can also include Canadian riders who race here, so you have 6+ guys who have finished top 10 at a world level. In Australia it is Chris Jongewaard and I. That makes racing here: faster, more tactical and more exciting, resulting in the race being harder to win.
MTBracenews -Which country has better mountain bike trails Australia or the U.S.?
SD -Now that’s getting political! There are great trails all over the world, every trail has its
own characteristics that make it unique, so it’s impossible to really judge. If you would like a
travel guide, that can be arranged.
MTBracenews -Do you plan to race outside the States this season?
SD -My main focus is the US Cup, outside that; I’ll probably go home in October to defend our 4-Man team National 24hr title. I love being able to line up with the boys (Chris, Brent and Perrin) and working as a team instead of racing each other all the time. The event also has a great atmosphere with 2500+ competitors and their support crews.
MTBracenews -How does racing in the States differ from racing in Australia?
SD -American has more depth of talent, since you can also include Canadian riders who race here, so you have 6+ guys who have finished top 10 at a world level. In Australia it is Chris Jongewaard and I. That makes racing here: faster, more tactical and more exciting, resulting in the race being harder to win.
MTBracenews -Which country has better mountain bike trails Australia or the U.S.?
SD -Now that’s getting political! There are great trails all over the world, every trail has its
own characteristics that make it unique, so it’s impossible to really judge. If you would like a
travel guide, that can be arranged.
MTBracenews -Which is cooler Ayer’s Rock or Mount Rushmore?
SD -Sorry, I haven’t been to either, though the ROCK has my vote. (Because of the Aussie connection)
SD -Sorry, I haven’t been to either, though the ROCK has my vote. (Because of the Aussie connection)
