Michael Rogers Interview: By Myfanwy Galloway

Amongst all the buzz of the Australian Cyclones 2010 media call at Stromlo Forrest Park, CyclingTribe blogger Rebecca Wiasak and myself had the pleasure of catching up with Canberra cyclist Michael Rogers ahead of his World Cycling Championships campaign which kicks off on the 30^th September with the 45.8km Individual TimeTrial. Although 2010 will mark Rogers’ 14th start donning the green and gold jersey at a World Championships, the prospect of riding for his country in his own backyard has seen him more motivated then ever and I have no doubt that we can expect big things from Rogers over the course of the next week. Somehow between talking to news stations and posing for photos, he managed to have a quick chat to us about racing, partying and his real job!

MG Yet again we are seeing more Canberrans represent Australia at Worlds, why do you think Canberra seems to have a knack at producing champions? Is it the terrain? The training?

MR I just think it is the environment you know here and it’s always had quite a strong cycling presence and obviously we have the Australian Institute of sport, a bunch of experienced people... and a lot of good coffee shops!

MG (laughs) yeah – always helps!

MR Yeah

MG And i’ve noticed that you’ve competed in every World Championship since 1997, first of all congratulations – that’s no mean feat! - Including junior World Championships, sorry! Have any been stand out? Or how does this one compare competing on home soil; is it extra special for you?

MR Yeah obviously when I won my World Championships in 2004 and 2005, I also got one in 2003 – they were obviously highlights so far! And I’m kind of looking for something special in the next week; I’m pretty excited about that.

MG Is your whole family coming to support you? Your brothers Deane and Pete are obviously champions in their own right– both very successful cyclists (Deane competed in the 1995 World Championships, and 1994 Junior World Championships, whilst Pete represented Australia in the 1999 World Championships and 1998 Commonwealth Games), how was it growing up in such a strong cycling family?

MR Yeah I mean we are a pretty cycling rich family, you know, it was kind of bred into our generation, like for instance my kids and my brothers kids, so it’s going to be pretty cool and it doesn’t happen all the time you have a World Championships in Australia so it’s certainly something not to be taken for granted.

MG So have you got your girls on bikes yet?

MR O they’ve got bikes yeah, they’re pretty good yeah, and they’re only little ones of course.

MG Champions in the making?

MR Yeah, I suppose that’s a decision they’re going to have to make, I’d actually prefer them to play tennis but...

MG (laughing) Don’t do this to yourself!!

MR (laughing) yeah, it’s a hard road but, nah its good fun.

MG And you’re living in Italy, why did you choose Italy as a base? Because obviously the Australians have got a base there, Cadel lives around there.. What makes Italy so great?

MR It just so happens that the first team I rode for was Mapei and they were based there, and then I met my wife Alessia and... Now I’m in deep, yeah!

RW I know the Quon boys always love it when you come home, there’s a few going down there next week, do you expect them to be pretty rowdy?

MR Yeah, they’ll be making fools of themselves no doubt, it’s going to be fun

MG You’re going to have a big cheer squad that’s for sure

MR Yeah everyone is pretty excited

RW Have you got a leave pass for the after party?

MR Yeahhh, for sure!

MG Are you going to come back to Canberra for a bit after Worlds?

MR Yeah, just for a couple of days, got to go back and be a farther (laughs)

MG (laughing) Yeah, go back to your real job!!

MR Yeah, we stay enough on the road as it is, I mean I’d really like to stay but...

All Photos credited to Myffy Galloway - Visit her site @ http://myfanwygalloway.com/site/

--- GO DODGER!!!!!!!!!