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Tales from the Dirt
Riding with a pro
By Paul Mirtschin
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The closest most people get to hanging with their cycling heroes is to go to a race and hope you bump into one, but a handful of downhill mountainbike enthusiasts got to get that little bit closer.
When Cedric Gracia decided to have a small holiday in Australia between the Red Bull Ride in Jindabyne and a planned stopover in Japan, ideas took root as to how to take advantage of this. After some lengthy phone calls between Red Bull, Cannondale and local bike shop Bike Addiction, a plan was put in place. Two ride days, teaching bike skills and having fun, with only 15 riders on each day.
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Cyclingnews was there on the Saturday, and from the start the riders excitement levels were high. And from the moment Gracia and team mechanic Doug Dalton arrived, it was hard to get near either of them or their bikes. A lot of drooling later, and it was time for the riders to set off down the downhill runs at Oxford falls. The first run saw many smiles, even from the guy who managed to snap a pair of bars and crack his fork, but Cannondale came to the rescue with one of the test bikes, and the rider was ready to head off again. The completion of each run saw time for some general questions about bike setup, both for general riding and competition. Everything from suspension tuning to tyre selection to the changes that the 2003 Team Gemini had made to it were thrown at both Gracia and Dalton.
A few runs later, and it was time for lunch and for Gracia to ask some questions himself. "What is with those Banana Holders?" asked Gracia, and it took a while before we realised he meant the tight swimming trunks seen on many of Australia's beaches. "And you have so many beaches, are they all like the one we were on? There are so many beautiful women there". I would not be surprised if Gracia is back for a longer holiday or some training at some point in the future. "I don't usually do any bike riding for three months once the race season is over, I prefer to just get out and ski" said Gracia, "so when I do get back on the bike I can't wait to get out and ride. I can see why the Aussies are doing so well, getting to race all season and then race again in the (Australian) summer. They are always in top form at the start of the season, where I am always a bit, you know, not ready. I'm surprised they don't win more races."
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Post lunch, it was time to get a few more runs in before we stole the bikes for photos and an in-depth run-down of what changes were done to the 2003 model. And when Gracia started asking when they would be going to the beach, we knew the day was over.
With a sold out ride planned for the next day, we thought it might be best to give Gracia a bit of his holiday back. A few group photos, signatures and some Cannondale and Red Bull Ride clothing for the paying riders, and it was time to pack up.
Red Bull Ride coverage
Cedric Gracia's 2003 signature Gemini
Photos
Images by Paul Mirtschin/Cyclingnews
- Some very eager riders await the arrival of Cedric Gracia
- Cedric and his bikes finally arrive.
- Fresh from the Red Bull Ride
- The guy with the camera was the one who called you names
- Gracia and team mechanic Doug Dalton
- Riders milling around, eager for another run
- Helmets on and ready for action
- Cedric gets some directions
- Telling the riders what is involved in bike setup
- Hey Gracia, lets go!
- Another run and another chance to learn from a pro
- Gracia taking off and trying to catch up
- The riders set off on one of the days runs
- Lunch was a chance to hear about life on the road
- And also a chance to eat
- Even pro riders can crash on the easy bits
- Do you think he will notice if I steal his bike?
- Bugger, I was busted
- Cedric, Doug and photographer Tony "TFN" Nolan
- One of many bikes now sporting a Gracia signature
- Cedric and Doug at the end of the day
- A bunch of very happy riders pose for a photo
