Praties Cycling Team, Tasmania

Ben Mather

• Nickname: Benny
• DOB: 02/07/81
• Born: Scottsdale
• Lives: Launceston
• Years Racing: MTB 3, Road 1
• Height/Weight: 179cm, 70kg
• Fav. Food: Roast Lamb, Fruit Buns
• Fav. Movie: Anything to do with sport
• Fav. Music: Random stuff from JJJ

Cycling Highlights

2008

• 6th Stage 8 Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 5th Goulburn to Citi NRS

2007

• 8th Goulbourn to Citi
• 7th Grafton to Inverell
• 6th Australian GP ITT, 10th Australian GP Criterium
• 3rd Overall, Gippsland Tour, 4 x Top 10 stage finishes
• 4th National MTB Marathon Champs
• 5th Overall, Mersey Valley Tour
• 3rd Murwillumbah

2006

• 2006 Tasmanian State XC Champion
• Overall 10th 2006-7 National MTB XC Series

Nathan Clarke

• Nickname: Clarkey, Nath
• D.O.B: 18/02/78
• Born: Devonport tasmania
• Lives: Latrobe Tasmania
• Years Racing: 16
• Height/Weight: 184cm, 85kg
• Fav food: roast, choclate
• Fav Music: Anything but country

Cycling Highlights

2008

• 1st Stage 6 Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Stage 2 Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Stage 11 Tour of Murray River NRS
• 1st Criterium Championship Tour of Murray River NRS
• 3rd Stage 9 Tour of Murray River NRS
• 2nd Stage 8 Tour of Murray River NRS
• 1st Criterium Championship Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 2nd Stage 8 Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 1st Stage 7 Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 2nd Stage 1 Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 3rd Stage 4 Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 1st Stage 4 Tour de Perth

2007

• 3rd Launceston International Criterium

2006

• 2nd tooheys crit series
• 2nd Burnie wheel

2005

• 1st National 4000meter teams pursuit
• 2nd National Scratch race
• 1st toheys crit
• 2nd Devonport wheel

2004

• 1st Latrobe wheel

Richie Porte

Bio: Richie is a strong climber and time trialist. Coming from a triathalon background Richie has quickly found his place in the peloton and has achieved fantastic results in a very short period of time.

Richie also races in Italy with Team Mastromarco.

• Nickname: Portie
• D.O.B.: 30/1/85
• Born: Launceston
• Lives: Hadspen
• Years Racing: 1
• Height/Weight: 172cm, 65kg
• Fav. Food: Fried Rice
• Fav. Movie: Blood Diamond
• Fav. Music: Rage Against The Machine

Cycling Highlights:

2009

• 3rd Australian Time Trial Championships

2008

• 11th Melbourne to Warrnambool UCI 1.2
• 5th Overall Herald Sun Tour UCI 2.1
• 5th Stage 5 herald Sun Tour UCI 2.1
• 7th Stage 4 Herald Sun Tour UCI 2.1
• 1st Overall GC Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Tasmanian Rider Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st KOM Classification Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Stage 8 Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Stage 7 Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Overall GC Tour de Perth
• 4th Stage 1 Tour de Perth
• 1st Stage 2 TT Tour de Perth
• 1st Stage 3 Tour de Perth
• 5th Open Time Trial Australian Championships
• 4th Open Road Race Australian Championships
• 9th Overall GC Tour Down under PRO T
• 1st Stage 2 Tour of Wellington 2.2
• 1st Tour of The Channel (Aus)

2007

• 1st 19 Trofeo sportivi San Donato in Fronzano (it)
• 12th stage 1 and 14th GC Giro Delle Valli Cuneesi (it)
• 7th stage 11 Giro delle Veneto (it)
• 3rd baw baw
• 3rd ITT tour of canberra
• 8th, National ITT
• 1st Longford-Campbell town
• 1st Devonport criterium
• 1st Launceston 2 day tour
• 4th, Stage 7, Tour of Wellington NZ
• 1st GC Tour of Bright (Aus)
• 1st Stage 1 Tour of Bright (Aus)
• 1st Stage 2 Tour of Bright (Aus)

2006

• 3rd, Stage 9 Tour of Murray River
• 4th, National Teams TTT
• 6th, Stage 7, Tour of Gippsland

Josh Chugg

Bio: Josh began cycling in late 2005 after 10 years mis-spent on the track and in the mud, middle and long distance running. After seeing the light, the switch to a more team oriented sport has motivated him to reach new sporting heights. Josh is looking forward to his first full season racing and his first National Series with Praties.

• Nickname: Chuggy , Deal Closer
• D.O.B.: 11/06/82
• Born: Launceston
• Lives: Hobart
• Years Racing: 1
• Height/Weight: 181cm, 70kg
• Fav. Food: Chocolate
• Fav. Movie: Rocky 4
• Fav. Music: Scissor Sisters

Cycling Highlights:

• 3rd, Launceston to Hobart 2006
• 4th, State Road Titles 2006

Nathan Earle

Bio: Nathan joined Praties at the begining of 2007. He has been road cycling for two years with some high achievements. Previously a Triathlete and Cross Country runner as well as a competitive Mountain biker Nathan has done a wide range of endurance sports. Road Cycling is his focus but Nathan still loves to rip it up on the MTB and hit the gym a bit.

• Nickname: Nearle
• D.O.B.: 4/6/88
• Born: Goulbourn
• Lives: Hobart
• Years Racing: 2
• Height/Weight: 178cm, 70kg
• Fav. Food: Everything, if it's food I'll eat it
• Fav. Movie: Scarface, Spongebob
• Fav. Music: Bit of this, bit of that

Cycling Highlights:

2009

• 1st Mt Baw Baw Classic
• 5th GC Tour of Mersey Valley
• 2nd Stage 3 Tour of Mersey Valley
• 4th U23 National Road Championships

2007

• 2nd Mount Baw Baw Classic
• 1st Overall GC Mersey Valley Tour NRS
• 1st Stage 2 Mersey Valley Tour NRS
• 3rd Stage 3 Mersey Valley Tour NRS
• 1st Stage 4 Mersey Valley Tour NRS
• 1st KOM Overall Mersey Valley NRS
• 6th U23 National RR 2007

2006-2005

• Tasmanian U19 State RR Champion 2006
• 2nd, U19 State Criterium title, 2006
• 5th U19 National RR 2006
• 3rd, Tasmanian U19 State TT 2006
• 3rd, U19 State Criterium title, 2005
• 1st, Rnd 2 Tooheys Criterium Series 2006

Ben Grieve-Johnson

• Nickname:Maggot
• D.O.B.: 12/10/88
• Born: Hobart
• Lives: Hobart
• Years Racing: MTB 4, road 2
• Height/Weight: 184cm, 63kg
• Fav. Food: Ice-cream
• Fav. Music: Radiohead, Nick Cave, Damian Rice

Cycling Highlights:

2007:

• 5th U23 07/08 Illinbah national MTB round
• 5th U23 07/08 Adelaide national MTB round
• 5th U23 06/07 Mt Beauty national MTB round

2006:

• 05/06 state MTB series champion, open
• 20th U19 Oceania MTB championships, Rotorua NZ
• 5th U19 national MTB championships, Mt Beauty
• 4th U19 Lysterfield national MTB round

Brad Norton

• Nickname: Brian, Hitman.
• D.O.B.: 14/05/84
• Born: Shepparton
• Lives: Melbourne
• Years Racing:
• Height/Weight: 176cm, 70kg
• Fav. Food: Soft Pretzels
• Fav. Music: Lincoln Park
• Age: 23
• D.O.B: 14/05/84
• Height: 176cm
• Weight: 70kg

Cycling Highlights

2008

• 1st Stage 6 Tour of Murray River NRS
• 3rd Stage 12 Tour of Murray River NRS

2005

• Jayco-Herald Sun Tour participant with the Jayco VIS team - withdrew after stage 5 due to an injury caused by a crash
• Victorian Open Road Titles (Elite men & U23) 1st
• Victorian Open Time Trial (Elite men) 4th U23
• Victorian Criterium Championship (Elite men) 3rd 2nd U23
• Tattersals Cup Tour of the Murray River 1st Stage 8 13th overall
• Tattersals Cup Tour of Gippsland 14th (overall)
• Victorian 100km Title (Elite men) 2nd Elite Men 1st U23
• Cecil Shore Memorial Handicap 1st
• Bendigo Tour 1st Stage 1 2nd (overall)

2004

• Wagga Golden Wheelrace 1st (from scratch)
• Los Angeles World Cup - represented Australia in 4km Teams Pursuit 4th
• Sydney World Cup - represented Australia in 4km Teams Pursuit 7th
• Australian 4km Teams Pursuit (Elite men) 2nd
• Australian 40km Point score (Elite men) 2nd
• Australian Individual Pursuit (4000m) 3rd
• Victorian 40km Point score (Elite men) 1st
• Australian 50km Madison Championship 1st
• Bendigo Madison 5th
• Victorian 50km Madison Title (Elite men) 1st
• Australian 42km Time Trial Championship (U23) 8th

Ben Grenda

• Nickname:Benny, Tangles
• D.O.B.: 06/04/90
• Born: Launceston
• Lives: Launceston
• Years Racing:8
• Height/Weight: 194cm, 75kg
• Fav. Food: Steak
• Fav. Music: Interpol

Jeremy Hills

• Nickname: Jez
• D.O.B.: 20/02/88
• Born: Hobart
• Lives: Hobart
• Years Racing:3
• Height/Weight: 172cm, 72kg
• Fav. Food: Cashews
• Fav. Music: Rock , Electronic

Kyle Marwood

• Nickname:Marwood , Ox, Hardwood
• DOB: 23/06/86
• Born:Bendigo
• Lives: Melbourne
• Weight: 91kg
• Height: 186cm
• Fav. Food:Dark chocolate, pizza
• Fav. Movie: Dark Knight, 300
• Fav. Music: Muse, Queens of the Stone Age

Cycling Highlights

Achievements

2009

• Selected in Victorian state team
• 2nd Victorian indivdual pursuit titles
• 3rd Victorian point score titles
• 3rd Victorian scratch race titles
• 3rd Victorian ominium titles

2008

• 8th overall scody cup national road series
• 1st sun tour a grade lygon street crit
• 8th overall tour of Murray river
• 3rd stage 14 tour of Murray river
• 2nd stage 13 tour of Murray river
• 2nd stage 6 tour of gippsland
• First and fastest Hamilton 120
• 1st stage 4 tour of the sunshine coast
• Green jersey winner tour of the sunshine coast

Dylan Newell

• Nickname: Dennis
• DOB: 31/01/1984
• Born:
• Lives: Melbourne
• Weight: 73kg
• Height: 184cm
• Fav. Food: Peanut Butter M&M's
• Fav. Movie: Broke Back Mountain
• Fav. Music: Dance/Electronic

Cycling Highlights

In 2006 and 2007 Dylan raced for Belgium team Soenens Gemond, a highly ranked team in the Belgium and European cyding scene. Previous to racing in Europe he attended University for 3 years whilst racing competitively on the Australian circuit. Dylan is a strong all-rounder that excells in hard races.

Achievements

2009

• 1st GC Tour of Mersey Valley NRS
• 2nd Stage 1 Tour of Mersey Valley NRS
• 2nd Stage 2 Tour of Mersey Valley NRS
• 3rd Stage 3 Tour of Mersey Valley NRS

2008

• 5th Melbourne to Warrnambool UCI 1.2
• Most Aggressive Stage 3 Tour of Murray River
• 2nd Stage 3 Tour of Murray River NRS
• 4th Overall Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 1st Stage 5 Tour of Gippsland NRS
• 1st Victorian Road Championship
• 2nd Overall KOM Tour of Pennsylvania
• Most Aggressive Stage 5 Tour of Pennsylvania
• 5th Stage 1 TT Tour of Pennsylvania

2007

• 1st Geluwe Kermis, 13-0507
• 1st 1Nh Geluwe Kemis pi 1506-07
• 1 st skcc criterium
• 1 st Fwscray criterium
• 2nd Vichte Kemis 01-07-07
• 2nd Jayco bay criterium series support stage 1
• 2nd Jayco bay criterium series support stage 5
• 3rd GC Jayco bay criterium series support
• 3rd Beselare Kermis 15-08-07
• 3rd Helkdn Kemis 1908-07
• 3rd Victorian teams pursuit championships
• 4th Boitelare 12-08-07
• 5th Sinaai Kemis 07-052007
• 5th Ursel Kemis 11-06-07
• 6th Time Trial Triptyque Ardennais 2.12
• 25th Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux 2.2
• 38th Circuit de Sdne et Loire (FrJ 1.2
• 5Mh Giro del Aosta 2.2

Belgium kemises. Major Races:

• Liege Bastonge Liege U23
• Triptique Ardennais 2.12
• Giro del Aosta 2.2
• Triptique des Barrages 2.2 U23

2006

• 1st Lamborghini Super Crit
• 1st most aggressive rider
• 3rd teams

Will Clarke

Bio Will began his athletic career on the track - the running track! 400m and 800m was his favourite distance. Since discovering cycling Will has quickly risen to the top ranks through hard work and a fair dose of natural ability. Look for the rangy fella to make an impact in the near future.

• Nickname: Wilbur, Clarkey
• DOB: 11/04/85
• Born:Launceston
• Lives:Campbell Town (Tas)
• Years Racing:1
• Weight: 81kg
• Height: 192cm
• Fav. Food: spaghetti, rice cakes, rice cream, yoghurt
• Fav. Movie: Super Bad
• Fav. Music: Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies

Cycling Highlights

2009

• 4th GC Tour of Mersey Valley NRS
• 3rd Stage 2 Tour of Mersey Valley NRS
• 3rd Stage 1 Tour of Mersey Valley NRS
• 5th Oceania Championships TT

2008

• 3rd Stage 4 Tour of Tasmania NRS
• 1st Goulburn to Citi Classic NRS
• 1st Sprint Goulburn to Citi Classic NRS
• 2nd KOM Goulburn to Citi Classic NRS

Jason Rigg

Bio Jason has been riding since Jesus played full back for Nazareth, what he doesn't know about the game isn't worth knowing. A cool head in a sticky situation and a nice bloke to boot.

• Nickname: Riggsy, Unit, Big Rigg, Old Growth
• DOB: 17/07/1969
• Born:Subiaco WA
• Lives:Devonport (Tas)
• Years Racing:24
• Weight: 73kg
• Height: 176cm
• Fav. Food: Lasagne
• Fav. Movie: Pulp Fiction
• Fav. Music: Match Box 20

Cycling Highlights

2007

• 1st Latrobe 40
• 5th Tasmanian Criterium Championship

2006

• 1st WA State 100km Championship
• 2nd WA state Road Championship
• 1st 120 km Sonderborg/Denmark
• Winner Cityrace Bad Bevensen/Germany
• 3rd Criterium in Schledehausen/Germany