Comments on: PRO Never Dies

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 23:40:18 +0000

That’s great, Brett – hopefully either he’ll drag you or you’ll drag him up this (Taranaki) way for the Queen’s Birthday Tour or the Mountain Race next year…

By: therealpeel

therealpeel — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:52:31 +0000

This is why I don’t worry too much about trying to be PRO. The difference is truly too great.

By: Matt L

Matt L — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:22:42 +0000

I was out last winter when a genial rider drifted alongside three of us and asked if we would mind if he rode with the group.

His kit was cobbled together, but it turned out he had a bit of history racing in Belgium. And hell, he was fast – he drove it on the front for about three hours, and then we lost him when we got overtaken and he went to join the break up the road. The only thing was that we had actually been overtaken by a car.

By: Mikael Liddy

Mikael Liddy — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:03:45 +0000

@The Grande Fondue Alby then decided for his next trick he'd stick himself in the main break at the nationals road race last year, stayed with the trade team pros til about 4 laps to go in his early 40's...

By: gilly

gilly — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:18:16 +0000

@brett. Fuck me I’d settle for a set of those never was legs Brett. Guntastic!

By: The Grande Fondue

The Grande Fondue — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 09:20:48 +0000

Reminds me of Allan Iacuone. 1994. Australian Champion, raced Europe etc. In 2010 they did a “Where are they now” story on him and he was happily running a dog-walking service and riding a bit for fun: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2010/11/where-are-they-now-allan-iacuone/

Then this happened: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/08/iacuone-jacobs-claim-inaugural-national-cyclo-cross-titles/

By: Sparty

Sparty — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:31:38 +0000

When I was racing during my collegiete days a “old pro” offered training advice to some member of our team. Riding with him was quite an experience. He was well into his 50s at the time and honestly, could best all of us climbing and sprinting. He was also a hard ass. Tough love was his nature and the way he learned the trade. I distinctly remember a very long and hilly training ride he prepared for us. He was not kind that day. The third, and second to the last climb of the day was 19 km. He set the pace and one by one we began to shatter. I, at his side with 5 km to go as the pitch increased, was in the moment and feeling pretty well and then his hand reached down – click, click. He looked me in the eyes with an expression that read your turn. I shifted up once, then again. Within seconds I was off his wheel. Meter by meter I fell away as he rode out of sight in the saddle. I was left to wonder how?

That Spring I learned many lessons. Particularly, that “pro” was another word for superhuman.

By: Puffy

Puffy — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:02:31 +0000

We have an ex NRS pro in our bunch. He’s still young and was going places but he got sick and had to give it away. Sometimes I feel sorry for the bloke… no one to give him a run for his money in these parts (although we try) but then I race with him and the sympathy evaporates! I’ve been given a couple of pushes nearing the crests of hills, and even within a race (no advantage gained – just forced me to pull the next turn as I was dragging my heels). He is a sprinter, and they can come as a surprise and the power is startling.I am generally already at max and starting to fade fading whilst this guy unleashes the guns with full power to the small of my back! Boom! Nearly took me off the first time he did it.

By: Mikael Liddy

Mikael Liddy — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 00:15:40 +0000

Yeah there's a guy here in Adelaide who's had similar racing experience before hanging up the pro-racing and starting his own business running cycling tours in Europe for 6mths a year & skills/training sessions back in Adelaide for the other 6. Nicest bloke you'll meet when he's in coaching mode, but put a goal in his sights & he's still pretty handy.

By: Ccos

Ccos — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:22:24 +0000

@Ron

Gotta love truly accomplished people who act like they're regular blokes. Not enough of these types around but, if you find one, stick around. Great story, Brett!

Yep, just like you never see a SEAL pick a fight in a bar. Though it's lots of fun when a blowhard does...

By: wiscot

wiscot — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:46:54 +0000

@wilburrox

Pro's like small bikes don't they? I see pictures of Cancellara and think bike is way too small. And I'm looking at this picture and something's just not right... And I swear it looks kinda like my daughter on her 24"³ right as she had outgrown the bike and ready to move on. Not that this cat looks like my daughter... no, that's not it. It's that the bike looks a tad too small. Ah well, what do I know? never mind... cheers all

I saw some pix of Cancellara on his new bike. I swear they're getting smaller by the year . . .

By: brett

brett — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:07:54 +0000

@piwakawaka

Had the pleasure of riding a few of the North Island Team races this spring with Fraser, while he still is a while away from top form, these guy's who have ridden at a high level never seem to lose that top end speed, he was basically our uber domestique, he knew what was going on or he would go and find out, take care of anyone who needed help, and when asked to drive the peleton look out if you weren't in position, being gapped at 60+ is no fun!

His stories of late have mainly been about "hanging on to the back of the bunch for grim life" or "pulling out after 40ks when I got dropped". Usually with a little chuckle, the kind that says "when I'm fit though, these guys better look out."

By: brett

brett — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:05:30 +0000

@minion

Yeah ferchrisssakes can you make him shave his fricken legs. Frasier's a great guy, that's a really nice write up Bretto. One nice thing I noticed once riding with Frasier, we were in a bunch heading back into town at a high clip, he pulls out of the pace line, blows the snot rockets, and pulls back in at around 40 ks an hour as smooth as silk. It's fucken weird what you remember about some people.

He's shaving the legs again too, although on Sunday he has some stubble going on... and a full beard which he's been cultivating a while now. Unemployment seems to suit him well! And the snot rocket technique is still in full effect...

By: wilburrox

wilburrox — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:05:45 +0000

Pro’s like small bikes don’t they? I see pictures of Cancellara and think bike is way too small. And I’m looking at this picture and something’s just not right… And I swear it looks kinda like my daughter on her 24″ right as she had outgrown the bike and ready to move on. Not that this cat looks like my daughter… no, that’s not it. It’s that the bike looks a tad too small. Ah well, what do I know? never mind… cheers all

By: piwakawaka

piwakawaka — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:02:10 +0000

Had the pleasure of riding a few of the North Island Team races this spring with Fraser, while he still is a while away from top form, these guy’s who have ridden at a high level never seem to lose that top end speed, he was basically our uber domestique, he knew what was going on or he would go and find out, take care of anyone who needed help, and when asked to drive the peleton look out if you weren’t in position, being gapped at 60+ is no fun!

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:18:37 +0000

Gotta love truly accomplished people who act like they’re regular blokes. Not enough of these types around but, if you find one, stick around.

Great story, Brett!

By: unversio

unversio — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:04:47 +0000

Nice Avanti kit.

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:34:31 +0000

@wiscot

Great story! Fraser sounds like a class act all round.Look at him on the bike - you can just tell he knows what he's doing, you just know.

Yup, I took one look at the lead photo and thought, "Which Follower is that? He looks fuckin' great..." Oh, it's a former PRO. Now I get it.

By: Deakus

Deakus — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:17:19 +0000

I love this article.

What an awesome story of days of yore and the love of cycling still. Only the firm knowledge in his own capabilities enables him to be this relaxed and to let you have your moment in the sun but what a great guy for being that way.

By: huffalotpuffalot

huffalotpuffalot — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:22:03 +0000

Great article, i really enjoyed that. Is he really putting the hours in now, or is it just natural ability that is allowing him to regain his fitness so quickly?

By: wiscot

wiscot — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:45:46 +0000

Great story! Fraser sounds like a class act all round.Look at him on the bike – you can just tell he knows what he’s doing, you just know.

By: minion

minion — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:03:57 +0000

Yeah ferchrisssakes can you make him shave his fricken legs.

Frasier’s a great guy, that’s a really nice write up Bretto.

One nice thing I noticed once riding with Frasier, we were in a bunch heading back into town at a high clip, he pulls out of the pace line, blows the snot rockets, and pulls back in at around 40 ks an hour as smooth as silk.

It’s fucken weird what you remember about some people.

By: Oli

Oli — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:30:51 +0000

Nice words on a man who is the very dictionary definition of Champion.

By: PT

PT — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 08:16:48 +0000

Nice story. The cap and lack of gloves iare a bit of a giveaway aren’t they?

By: RedRanger

RedRanger — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 07:11:58 +0000

shaved legs always look better @brett

By: brett

brett — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 06:55:46 +0000

Love the name on this... "Mac Master Fraser"

By: brett

brett — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 06:55:20 +0000

Sorry about the shitty photo album... I can't seem to fix the sizing and @frank has possibly been kidnapped. Here's the offending photos of a slimmer, more coiffed Fraser...