Aussies Supporters

Australian XC mountain bikers are historically fairly hard-up when it comes to racing World Cups in the Northern hemisphere. Our country is so far away that the level of cost, commitment and sacrifice required to get over to Europe is somewhat greater than the countries that typically dominate the sport. This geographical disadvantage hits us two-fold because it is also hard to find domestic sponsors that see the value of athletes racing so far away from their target market in Australia, and it is often not encouraged, which is probably fair enough. Despite these hurdles there is a committed bunch of riders that save up their pennies and put their lives on hold each year to head over the Europe and “live the dream”.

With the formation of the Discover Tasmania team in 2009, things were looking up for Aussie cross-country mountain bikers. Not only was the national program, headed by Neil Ross, bigger than ever, but all the Aussies overseas had the support of the National Coach at big races. Australian numbers in World cups were at an all time high and the results were starting to come, but unfortunately the recent high performance funding cuts have left us with no official support and on our own once again.......or has it?

We have always been lucky to have the support of our partners, parents and friends to fulfil our world cup dreams, but in 2010 we have probably needed it more than ever and those loyal plus-1's were there once again. These are a group of people that need recognition as they often make similar sacrifices as the athletes, many of them coming back year after year. Despite being dragged along by their particular rider, they are always happy to help all the Aussies equally (and usually a couple of token Kiwis as well). On behalf of all the riders I would like to thank all our supporters that have been helping us out over the years, and take the opportunity to introduce those personally that have been tirelessly helping us out over in Europe for the first half of the 2010 season. This is not an exhaustive list of support over the years, but very indicative of the kind of support the close-knit Aussie XC community have enjoyed.

Ian Potter – Driver/manager
Ian is the husband of Kate (our highest female finisher at the 2009 world champs) and he runs a MTB guiding company in the French Pyrenees called A Quick Release. He drove all the Aussies around to the first 3 world cups in the big blue AQR van, clocking up some serious k's behind the wheel.

Mark Codner - IT consultant, mechanic, general problem solver and owner of the team's “spare bike”
Father of talented Aussie junior, Mitch, Mark is a very handy guy to have around. An aircraft mechanic for Qantas back home, he has a knack for solving problems and is a magician with a bag of cable ties. The Codner's also tend to stay somewhere with a good internet connection, very handy.

Margret Codner - Team cook and back up feeder (usually stationed at the most remote feedzone!)
Mitch's mum Margret is a great cook, and looks after everyone with her caring motherly nature.

Ray Lacis - Team manager, beer sampler, procurement officer, mechanic
Kath O'Shea's partner, Ray, is a true all rounder and a seasoned campaigner. Logistics, attending manager meetings, organising shipments of product, wrenching bikes and tasting all the local beers and cold meats, he does it all.

Rosemary Barnes - Logisitc coordinater, feeder, translator, gluten free chef
Rosie (my girlfriend) is a terrific travel agent and great with languages. Having also raced at a very high level herself, she is a very good feeder as she knows what we need, sometimes before we realise ourselves. She also looks after my gluten allergy and makes sure that I never go hungry.

Jarrad Acfield - Photographer
Jarrod used to work for Southcott in Australia but is now based in Scotland. He made the trip out to Houffalize and was great to have around for moral support and to take some great photos of the race.

With some riders going home and other coming out for the second block of World Cups there will be a bit of a changing of the guard in terms of support “staff”, but I am sure that, as always, we will all be in good hands. Hopefully the second half of the season will yield some great results for the Aussie riders and that our supporters get the recognition that they deserve.

Thanks again.