16 January 2017
Building a successful professional cycling career doesn’t happen overnight, and according to, the new coach of Team UniSA-Australia, Brad McGee OAM, it often takes several years to learn all that is required to carve out an enduring international career in the sport.
And McGee should know - an ambitious 10 year old when he first began competing, he became an Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and raced in all the international road classics, the Veulta a Espana, the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.
After 15 years of competition, earning his reputation as one of Australia’s most successful cyclists, McGee moved into coaching. He has just recently returned to working with development squads.
McGee knows what it takes to win and he will be sharing his knowledge with some of the youngest riders in the field at this year’s Santos Tour Down Under.
“Learning is the key – and there is a lot to learn in cycling,” McGee says.
“It is not like you can take a young rider at 19 and say here is the guidebook to success, read it and let’s get cracking.
“Like any learning it is cumulative and it is strategic – it is not dissimilar to how you study at university, the knowledge and experience needs to be built up over several years before you are really ready to go for the big wins.”
McGee says this years’ team is an exciting blend of “newbies” and “old-timers” which he believes will create some positive tension.
“The dynamics will be exciting – you will have all the enthusiasm and aspiration of the younger team members balanced by the wiliness and savvy of the more experienced riders – my job will be to bring that together to create opportunities for the whole team to do well,” McGee says.
“Team UniSA-Australia has a strong reputation in this race for attacking and pushing the limits and over the years there have been some amazing performances by the riders.
“The team has also played a vital role in bringing some of the best Australian talent to the fore by giving them the chance to ride in an international pro-tour event right here in Australia – that is invaluable experience.
“I am excited by the opportunity and delighted to be working with UniSA and Cycling Australia to help to establish the careers of some new Australian names in the world of cycling.”
Team UniSA-Australia in 2017 includes Cameron Meyer, Callum Scotson, Lucas Hamilton, Michael Storer, Jai Hindley, Nathan Earle and Samuel Jenner.
You can follow every breath and heartbeat of Team UniSA-Australia’s progress this year in real time.
Team members will be wired-up to Satalyst Tracker, a refined new technology that measures their vital biostatistics as they are in the thick of competition racing.
The data, including geospatial information, speed, elevation, power output and distribution, cadence, torque, rider splits, heart rate and calories burnt, will be available on the tracker website in real time and will also feature in the televised broadcasts of the race this year.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli mobile: 0418 823 673 email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
