Bunch Ride Finder was lucky enough to chat with Rabobank’s Aussie sprinter Graeme Brown. Born in Darwin, ‘Brownie’ is a Dual Olympic medalist (Athens) and all round good bloke. We decided to ask a few questions about Bunch Rides and his goals and plans for the 2010 season.

Rabobanks Graeme Brown (© image S Schenko)

Q: What Bunch Rides do you frequent:
GB: When I am in Perth- the Parkers Ride, Papa’s, Barrack St WAR etc
Sydney – Coluzzi, the Gong ride,  Belgium – only train with the Rabo guys.

Q: What’s your favourite bunch ride?
GB: That’s a toughie. Sydney would be Coluzzi because it’s mad and fast and Perth the WAR ride cause it doesn’t start at sparrow’s fart!

Q: What annoys you about riding with non-pros?
GB: Their occasional dangerous manoeuvres regarding traffic!

Q: What do you like about riding with non-pros?
GB: Sometimes their just not afraid to go hard and show you up.

Q: What’s your favourite coffee shop?
GB: Coluzzi because the barista remembers my order every single time- regardless of how long I’ve been overseas.

Q: When in training do you use bunch rides as part of your training schedule?
GB: In Australia I only use bunch rides, it’s good intensity and works well for me. Even on a bad day you get a good day’s training in.

Q: When someone punchers in a bunch ride – what’s your thoughts on the time limit 3mins? 5 mins?
GB: The bunch should always stop and if the person is struggling that bad they need ten minutes someone should jump in and help- cause one day it’ll happen to you. Unless the person tells you to stop.

Q: What are you pet hates with bunch rides?
GB: People that don’t stop for punctures, porno knicks (see-through) and people that freewheel behind you with campag- zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of the year and for the 2010 season?
GB: For this year and next year my goals are to just win as many races as possible.

Q: In the TDU you had a great win in Victor Harbour, will Rabobank be at the 2010 TDU? Yes it’s Protour so they have no choice. Hopefully I’ll be there again to repeat my win and even go better.

Q: What do you think about having Lance Armstrong at this years TDU ?
GB: It was excellent for the race. There were twice as many spectators and hopefully he’ll come again in 2010. It was great to race with one of the kings of cycling.

Q: What Aussie pro-cyclists do you catch up with the most when you are away?
I see Matt Hayman the most because he lives 5km away and we race on the same team. If I was travelling to see anyone I’d see Big Bird (Brett Lancaster), he lives in Italy where I used to live.  And then I catch up with a heap at the races. Aussies always have a chat – even Robbie and I chat in a race

Q: What Aussie pro-cyclists do you catch up with the most when you are back in Australia? Cam and Travis Meyer, CJ Sutton, ‘Briano’, ‘Big Boy’. Depends where I am but during the off-season you catch up with most of them around the traps.

Q: We heard that in the TDU, a few fellas owe you 2 Bottles of Grange in a bet when you won 2 Gold Medals at the Athens Olympics – have you received them yet?
GB: NO!!!!!!!

Q: Do you think you’ll ever get them?
Doubtful… it’s been 5 years now.

Get out to the Tour Down Under this year and cheer Graeme on!

• For more information on the Tour Down Under click here
• For more information on Graeme Brown Visit Team Rabobanks website by clicking here

Graeme Brown Tour Down Under 2009