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Our wheel hero By PETER DOUGLAS AND VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS ALTHOUGH last-minute, the Dandenong Ranges will have another hero to cheer on at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Selby-raised road cyclist Simon Clarke, 30, has been called up to the Australian team as an 11th hour replacement to cover for Simon Gerrans, who broke his collarbone while competing in the Tour de France. Gerrans has withdrawn from the team, with officials selecting Clarke as his replacement. “I feel really sorry for Gerro,� Simon Clarke said. “We are good friends and live near each other in Andorra. It’s just such unfortunate timing to have an injury like this.� Clarke, who rides professionally for the Cannondale-Drapac team, will join Richie Porte, Rohan Dennis and Scott Bowden for the 256km road race, which starts and finishes at Copacabana Beach. Clarke’s inclusion in the Australian team comes after 1500m Upwey runner Melissa Duncan withdrew due to injury just three weeks before the Games. Meanwhile, Macclesfield’s Amanda ‘AJ’ Reynolds is aiming for a medal in the paracanoe at the Rio Paralympic Games. Clarke is the son of Yarra Ranges Shire’s Cr Mike Clarke, who said he couldn’t be more proud of his son’s achievements. Simon Clarke said he had worked very hard to get to where he was, and it was no easy feat getting selected for the Australian team. “The Australian Olympic team is the hardest team you can possibly get selected for, so it's always a very tough ask,� he said. “I knew that I was in the mix for selection being on the shadow team and last year the Australian team took me to Rio for the test event.�
Cyclist Simon Clarke with personal trainer Henry Yallah from Monbulk Aquatic Centre. 149720 Simon Clarke will be riding support to cycling ace Pichie Porte during the games, but says being part of the team was an experience like no other. “The team will put our full support behind him and with the course being so tough he is Australia’s best chance to get a medal,� he said. In what will be a double-win for the Clarke family, Simon’s brother, Danny, will also be heading to Rio to be a part of the Australian cycling team. “Danny is a masseur for Orica- BikeExchange, a professional cycling
team so he was asked to be a part of the support team for both road and track cycling,� Simon Clarke said. “He is really looking forward to being a part of the Australian Olympic team in Rio and it will be very special for me to be able to compete with my brother supporting me.� The ‘Mail’ spoke with Clarke in February this year, just after he had completed a pre-season training block at home in the Hills. At the time, he paid tribute to the Monbulk Aquatic Centre for helping
accommodate his intense training regime. Although he had a busy calendar planned, which included the Giro d’Italia, the Olympics Games was his priority. “One of my goals this year is the Olympics in Rio, but it won’t be an automatic selection,� Clarke said. “The standard of cycling in Australia is improving and there is plenty of competition for spots, but I’ll give it my best.�
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However, those ambitions seemed dashed after he was overlooked for the four-man Olympics team. In fact, Clarke feared his chances of debuting at an Olympics may have passed him by, with suggestions the Japan Olympics in 2020 is going to be a flat course. Nonetheless, Clarke is expected to play a vital role in the team, which is likely to be lead by Porte. Clarke attended the 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. His inclusion in the Olympics squad is another achievement in a stellar career for Clarke, which includes competing at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2013. Another highlight was being awarded the coveted polka dot jersey at the Tour de Grance in 2012, becoming the first Australian to win the climbing classification. He first jumped on a road bicycle at age 11, then winning the Under 15s time trial bronze medal at his first National Championships. He went on to win gold in the Team Pursuit at the 2004 Junior Track World Championships. In 2006, he competed in the first of six senior World Championships. Clarke was expected to have joined his Australian team-mates in Spain on Sunday, 30 July. Simon has said the support he has received from his supporters here in Australia has been “terrific� and he is very excited to represent Australia at the games. Please feel free to leave messages of support for Simon Clarke. Email editor@mailnewsgroup.com. au.
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