Rory Sutherland

Rory won his second consecutive NRC Individual Points title in 2008 on the strength of a torrid late spring tear that included overall wins at Joe Martin, Mt. Hood and Nature Valley. Rory will look to continue his dominant riding in 2009.

Date of Birth/Location: 2.8.82; Canberra, Australia

Height: 188cms

Weight: 78kgs

Current Residence: Carlsbad, CA

Education (include what years): HighSchool till 1999

Years Racing: 12

Years as a Pro: 5

Previous Teams:
Health Net Presented by Maxxis, 2007-08
Rabobank ProTour Team, 2005
Rabobank TT3, 2003-04
Rabobank Amateur, 2001-02

Strengths on the bike:
Versatility

Strengths off the bike:
Excessive over organization and planning…

Nickname: Ror, Roren, Rors, Roz, anything people can make out of my name.

Family Status: In a relationship

Favorite Movies: Snatch, Wedding Crashers, anything stupidly funny

Currently on my iPod: As long as it’s not Country, I’ll listen

Palmares

Career Highlights
1st Overall, NRC Individual Classification, 2008
1st Overall, NRC Individual Classification, 2007
U23 Australian National Road Champion, 2004

Wins:

2008
1st Overall, Joe Martin Stage Race
1st Overall, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
1st Overall, Nature Valley Grand Prix
1st Stage 1, Joe Martin Stage Race
1st Stage 5, Nature Valley Grand Prix
1st Stage 3, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
1st Prologue, Redlands Classic
Most Aggressive Rider Overall, Tour de Georgia
Most Aggressive Rider, Stage 6, Amgen Tour of California
Most Aggressive Rider, Stage 3, Tour de Georgia

2007
1st Stage 2, Redlands Classic
1st Stage 3, Redlands Classic
1st Overall, Joe Martin Stage Race
1st Stage 3, Joe Martin Stage Race
1st Stage 5, Nature Valley Grand Prix

2005
1st Overall, Young Riders classification, Tour of Denmark

2004
1st Australian u23 National Championships
1st Stage Thuringen Tour, Germany
1st Stage Tour of Liege, Belgium
1st Cras Avernas, Belgium
1st Stage Giro d’Abruzzo, Italy
1st Stage Olympias Tour

Other Major Results:

2008
2nd Stage 7, Amgen Tour of California
2nd Australian National Time Trial Championships
2nd Stage 4, Tour de Georgia
2nd Stage 1, Joe Martin Stage Race
2nd Stage 2, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
2nd Stage 3, Nature Valley Grand Prix
2nd Stage 5, Nature Valley Grand Prix
2nd Sequoia Classic Time Trial
3rd Australian National Road Race Championships
3rd Stage 1, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
3rd Stage 4, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
3rd Stage 3, Redlands Classic
4th Overall, Redlands Classic
4th Stage 6, Tour de Georgia
4th Stage 3, Joe Martin Stage Race
9th Overall, Tour de Georgia
Most Aggressive Rider, Stage 3, Tour de Georgia

2007
2nd Overall, Nature Valley Grand Prix
2nd Overall, International Tour de ‘Toona
2nd Overall, Central Valley Classic
2nd Australian National Time Trial Championships
2nd Stage 2, Central Valley Classic
2nd Stage 4, Tri Peaks Challenge
3rd Stage 6, Nature Valley Grand Prix
3rd Stage 3, Jayco Bay Cycling Classic
3rd Stage 1, Central Valley Classic
3rd Stage 4, Joe Martin Stage Race
3rd Boulevard Road Race
4th Prologue, Amgen Tour of California
4th Stage 1, Jayco Bay Cycling Classic
4th Stage 2, Jayco Bay Cycling Classic
5th Stage 1, Nature Valley Grand Prix
5th Chris Thater Memorial
5th Garrett Lemire GP
6th Overall, Redlands Classic
7th Australian National Road Race Championships
7th Reading Classic
8th Atlanta 100 km Classic
13th Overall, Amgen Tour of California

2005
2nd Australian Time Trial Championships
2nd Stage, Tour of Denmark
3rd Overall, Tour of Denmark
Finishing the Giro J

2004
3rd Grand Prix des Nations, France
8th U23 World Cup

In his own words

What was your most memorable race day of 2008?
Getting through all the good and bad days having the team protect our lead in three tours. The guys really went above and beyond, and I think, including myself, really learned what the body really can do.

How did you spend this off-season?
Moving house about what seemed like five times, but which was in fact just twice. Pay movers to do it for you. Apart from that the normal things, not ride, go to the beach, relax a lot etc.

What are your goals or expectations for the 2009 season?
It’s going to be an interesting one that’s for sure. I want to challenge myself more, diversify a little more, and help get the team firing together as one.

When did you start racing, and why?
When I was 14, just liked the look of it all. How wrong I was….

Who were/are your cycling mentors and/or influences?
I have more influences than mentors. Past coaches, and directors are usually the main influence into the person/rider I have become. My family is also an amazing influence, which motivates me even though I have to live on another continent to do my job.

What was your first bike? When/how did you get it?
It was a Giant. I got it because my parents decided to pay for it.

What was your first win?
No idea…. Maybe a crit somewhere in outback Australia with two farmers and a dog watching.

What would you consider your finest moment on the bike?
Just enjoying racing, and being part of a great team is enough for me.

What was your worst or most embarrassing moment on the bike?
If it’s my most embarrassing moment, wouldn’t that mean I’d keep it to myself?

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen on a bike ride?
Isn’t 200 + Spandex clad riders with shaved legs enough of a strange thing?

When you’re not on your bike, what do you like to do?
Spend time with my friends, relax, keep planning to take over the world, scheme, and definitely not think about anything bike related.

If you weren’t a professional cyclist, what would you be doing?
Bad question…..where’s the closest jail??