Book description
The autobiography of three time Tour de France Green Jersey winner.
Professional road cyclist Robbie McEwen will do whatever it takes to win
on a bike. He is proud of his reputation as a 'competitive little
bugger' and 'a bit of a hard bastard in the peloton', yet he is at pains
to point out that what he's channelling is not rage or aggression but a
fierce determination and razor-sharp focus. Here, in his own words,
Robbie reveals what has made him one of the most successful road
cyclists of the last 20 years, winning over 200 professional races and
three Tour de France green jerseys. From his teen years in Brisbane
winning just about every possible title for his age group at BMX, to his
road-cycling apprenticeship at the Australian Institute of Sport before
signing his first professional contract with Rabobank, right up to the
present day, living in Belgium and riding for RadioShack, this is the
complete picture of the inimitable sprinter. Robbie is every bit the
feisty, single-minded battler that his fans know and love, but he is
also a father and husband who likes hanging out with his mates and
having fun. As he puts it, 'Most of the time, I'm Dr Jekyll. Mr Hyde
only makes rare appearances, but unfortunately people judge him, not
me.' Here, with his characteristic candour and energy, Robbie sets the
record straight. Robbie was born on June 24th 1972 in Brisbane,
Queensland. Very early, he showed the traits of being a winner on the
bike. He started his career riding BMX races and quickly became
Australian Junior Champion. At the age of 18, he switched to road races.
Robbie's plans to become a teacher were forgotten; our "Kangaroo of
Brakel" clearly had a future as a cyclist. Everybody soon
discovered that he as an impressive sprint. Four years later, in 1994,
Robbie was selected for the first time in the Australian National Road
Team. After a successful two years with the Aussie team where he won 50
races Robbie was ready to take the next step in his career. In 1996, he
signed his first professional contract with Holland's Rabobank and found
a niche in Brakel, Belgium. Where he would meet his future bride,
Angélique Pattyn. Robbie was three times names Australia's Road Cyclist
of the year and is still known as one of the fastest sprinters in the
world. In 2002, 2004 and 2006, he won the prestigious green jersey in
the Tour de France, the first Australian to achieve it. Robbie currently
rides for Lance Armstrong's Radioshack Team and continues to live in
Belgium with his wife, Angelique and their three children. This is his
first book.
