Russel Van Hout
Date
of birth: 15/6/76 (30-years-old)
Born: Adelaide
Lives: Adelaide
Weight: 70kg
Height: 1.78m
Occupation: Plumber
Cycling history and achievements
Club: Adelaide Cycling Club
Professional team: Savings & Loans Cycling Team
Bike: Avanti
Longest distance on a bike: I raced in the Melbourne to Warnambool, in 2005 – and it was 300km. It’s actually the longest race in the world now. It used to be shorter but they made it longer this year. I finished fourth in that race.
Career highlights: Winning a stage in the TDU in 2006 and taking out the nationals jersey. Also riding in the Giro d’Italia twice in (2004 and 2005) and getting an eighth place in one of the time trials, being South Australian champion (2005) and winning three bronze medals in the National Time Trials (2000, 2001, 2005).
Ambitions for 2007: I’d like to have another good year on the bike.
Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under appearances: 2007 will be my seventh tour
How do you prepare for the Tour? As I have been working full time I’ve been doing a lot more intensive training – shorter, harder stuff rather than the longer stuff.
What do you hope to achieve in the Tour? Another stage win would be great as would a strong team performance.
Other facts and figures
Someone you look up to: Lleyton Hewitt. I like his aggression and desire to win all the time. In cycling it would be Lance Armstrong. He’s the best Tour de France cyclist ever.
Favourite music: I collect music. What I listen to depends on my mood but I’m into every type of music.
Favourite film: I like all the Quentin Tarantino movies and I don’t mind a bit of Jim Carrey.
Favourite food: Pizza