Robert McLachlan
Date of birth: 17-4-71 (35-years-old)
Born: Leeton, NSW
Lives: Canberra
Weight: 87kg
Height: 1.88m
Occupation: I’m a professional cyclist but I’m also a qualified school teacher.
Cycling history and achievements
Club: Tuggeranong Vikings Cycling Club
Professional team: Drapac-Porsche
Bike: Giant
Longest distance on a bike: 303km training with Charlie Walsh (former national cycling coach) in Adelaide when I was 19 or 20-years-old. It was supposed to be a 280km training ride but we got lost. It took 10 hours.
Career highlights: Representing Australia at the Olympics in 1992. Three stage wins in the Sun Tour in 2004. Second place in the Australian Open Road Championships in 2004 and 2005.
Ambitions for 2007: It would be great for the Drapac-Porsche team to do well this year. We will be racing overseas as the first Australian based pro-continental team.
The Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under appearances: This year will be my third.
How do you prepare for the Tour? I did some big miles in December and some high intensity rides. A bit of strength work as well. I will also be doing the Bay Series Criteriums for some speed work in the lead up to the TDU.
What do you hope to achieve in the Tour? I believe we have a team that can win the tour and can also get a rider on the overall podium.
Other facts and figures
Someone you look up to: Stuart O’Grady has a great attitude and winning spirit. Michael Rogers who was world champion three times in a row – that’s an amazing feat for someone who is only 26.
Favourite music: Midnight Oil, U2
Favourite TV show: Seinfeld
Favourite food: Seafood