Photo: © Mikkeli Godfree

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.

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Sunday, August 8

Next stop: Athens

Swiss Cup. After arriving in Europe earlier in the week, I wasn't expecting a great race. The course was a 10 minute road climb and grass paddock descent - seven laps. Start was straight up and full of wobbly riders. I was given the hip and shoulder a few times; I had to move up and avoid the trouble. Came off the first lap in a group of three, working well together, until it was broken up on the fourth Lap. I held onto second before being passed on the last lap, finishing third. Good result for first race back in Europe. Next race: Athens...