Paul Rowney
Photo: © Andy Lee

Fun lovin' animal: The Paul Rowney Diary

The triple Australian XC champion from Penshurst, New South Wales, is a veteran of both the NORBA and World Cup circuit. Despite a bad training crash in early August that left him with a broken hand, Rowney soldiered on at the final NORBA round in Durango, finishing third overall in the short track cross-country series.

At 32 years of age, Rowney is now at the peak of his abilities, which should bode him well for the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. A typically ocker Aussie, Rowney's diaries are sure to be a laugh, so stay tuned as the Sydneysider embarks on his quest for national championship and Olympic glory.

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August 8, 2003: I'm through crashin'

Hey guys,

Got back from the hospital yesterday. Here's the deal: they took off my cast and have replaced it with a plastic C brace that supports the bone. So I will try and race Durango next week, I may opt out of the cross-country and try and keep my spot on the STXC podium,;all I know is that my hand was hurting llike crazy being castless, but if I can get back on the bike this weekend I'll be happy days. The bone should set over the next two weeks.

Thanks for the support. I'm through crashin'.

Cheers, pr.