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Tassie devil: The Sid Taberlay diary 2004
24 year-old Tasmanian Sid Taberlay is a man on a mission. The current Australian and Oceania mountain bike champion, Sid is, like so many athletes this year, striving for a berth at the Athens Olympics Games. But his never-say-die attitude, down-to-earth deameanour and a desert-dry sense of humour - not forgetting a bloody big motor! - puts Sid in the best position possible to realise a life-long dream.
European Cup XC #1 - E1 Thuin, Belgium, May 2, 2004
Bugger, I'm the first loser
A dry, rocky and dust course, with lots of flats, joined by short descents and sharp climbs. The first two laps were flat, but with guys trying to get an early break. At the end on the second lap of seven, I went with Bart Brentjens. We had a small gap, I started pushing the pace, trying to put some time into the other Australian riders, due to our Olympic selection based on time difference. After being on the front for 4-1/2 laps, Bart attacked with half a lap to go. I had used all my cookies. Bugger, I'm the first loser, behind the past world champion, Olympic champion and who knows how long world number one. Reigning world champion Filip Meirhaeghe came in seventh. Now I've got to get rid of this flu and keep the form till the first World Cup in Madrid on 23rd May. Regards, Sid.
