By PETER DOUGLAS
THERE’S no place like home when preparing to take on the world, according to elite cyclist Simon Clarke.
The Selby-raised Clarke spent many hours over summer training at the Monbulk Aquatic Centre before – on Wednesday
3 February – heading off to Europe for the coming racing season.
He says the gym facilities are essentially world-class and believes training in his home environment will hold him in good stead.
And what a year it promises to be for the Tour de France stage winner.
With a new team and an Olympics dream on the calendar, Clarke has plenty to be excited about.
“One of my goals this year is the Olympics in Rio, but it won’t be an automatic selection,” he said.
“The standard of cycling in Australia is improving and there is plenty of competition for spots, but I’ll give it my best.”
Clarke previously competed at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, which he lists as one of his greatest achievements.
Another highlight was being awarded the coveted polka dot jersey at the Tour de France in 2012, becoming the first Australian to win the climbing classification.
This season, Clarke has moved from the Orica GreenEDGE team to Cannondale-Garmin, saying he needed a fresh start.
“I just needed to re-assess where I was at, I needed new scenery, new challenges,” he said.
Clarke is set to be a leader within the young team, which will cycle in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
Clarke attended Selby Primary School and Billanook College, acknowledging the Dandenongs had contributed greatly to his success.
“Many cyclists travel hours to get to the Dandenongs, but I just head out my front door,” he said.
Clarke said he would like to thank the team at Monbulk Aquatic Centre for helping accommodate his intense training regime over the past months.
