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Stuart O’Grady. Only a short time ago, simply his name was enough bring a smile to any cyclist’s face.
He is ‘the Aussie battler’, a true hard-man of any pro-tour peloton. O’Grady, admittedly, was hot headed in his youth.
He provided a blinding turn of speed not many experienced European professionals could match.
Later in his career, he transformed into a super domestique for various professional teams, most recently Australia’s first World Tour cycling team OricaOrica-GreenEDGE.
Throughout his successful career, O’Grady held the hearts and hopes of fans worldwide.
This was due to his hard working attitude, as well as showing European professionals the boys from ‘Down Under’ had some serious talent.
He paved the way for many prolific Australian cyclists, being somewhat of a role model for three-time green jersey champion Robbie McEwen.
Most likely, you already know this.
You also probably know, about the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) O’Grady used, two weeks before his triumphant campaign in the 1998 Tour de France.
This information has been painfully spread throughout media, the story becoming global in a matter of hours after O’Grady’s confession.
O’Grady announced ‘I sourced it (EPO) myself, there was no-one else involved, it didn’t involve the team in anyway’.
With no doubt, this was an incorrect decision.
The consequences of his actions, could possibly lead to the loss of Olympic gold medals, loss of sponsorship, and result in a toxic cloud over his otherwise lustrous career.
However, what is most excruciating for O’Grady, is the loss of respect from his fans. Telling his parents that he had used an illicit substance, O’Grady stated, ‘was the worst moment of my life’.
What does this tell us about Stuart O’Grady?
The disappointment is understandable. After so much accomplishment, the first thing O’Grady would like to ensue, is for the past to be forgotten.
He is not alone though. 83 other cyclists named by the French senate inquiry that tested positive for illicit substances, also have been burdened with inner demons regarding the events that occurred 15 years ago.
Stuart O’Grady knew his time would come. Before anything was proven, O’Grady announced his use of banned substances. At a recent press conference, O’Grady states ‘There is nothing more to hide. I have done everything since then on natural ability’.
Understandably, many people have chosen not to believe this proclamation. The likes of Lance Armstrong, Michael Rasmussen and the recent case of Mauro Santambrogio, have all revealed incessant lying and dishonest behaviour was rampant throughout the sport of cycling.
The untruthful nature of these men comes as no surprise, as their arrogant behaviours are indicative of such immorality. However, for such a grounded, humble man, with a relatively ordinary approach to the elite end of cycling, only a truly cynical man would doubt his legitimacy.
The personal sacrifices Stuart O’Grady made captured the hearts of Australians, including Non-Australian support as well. His hard-working mentality lead to an intense training schedule.
O’Grady would spend months away from his family, training in foreign parts of the earth, often living with lingering hunger, as many professional cyclists do in an attempt to remain supremely lean.
His victory in the 2007 Paris Roubaix was nothing short of phenomenal.
Previously to 2007, no Australian had ever won this prestigious event.
It has been titled the toughest one-day race in the world by the cycling community due to the brutal cobble-stone surface the cyclists pedal over. This is often undertaken in unpleasant weather, all the while through passionate crowds screaming for carnage.
The Paris Roubaix is a suitable race for Stuart O’Grady. Someone sensible, intelligent, who races with compassion, is required to win on such a tasking day of competition. He has been the only Australian to win this highly esteemed cobble classic.
We, since then, have thanked him for the exposure to Australian cycling he has provided.
This has been the case until now. It seems the cycling population has ignored such feats of strength and endurance in the midst of the drug-scandal. What angers me primarily, is the people who have turned their back on this wonderful role-model.
They have thrown the blanket of shame over him, along with other cyclists who proven positive.
This is the man Australia was in love with only weeks ago, as he captained Orica-GreenEDGE to their first stage win in the Tour de France among various yellow jerseys.
Now it seems he is a ‘filthy cheat’, a burden on the sport of cycling.
O’Grady stated to the media, regarding his parents, ‘I just asked them to listen so I could paint a complete picture. All I’ve ever wanted in my career was to make mum and dad and my family proud.’
What I ask of you, is to see the whole picture. A young man, thrust into the deep-end of cycling in 1998, was justifiably incredibly nervous. His first Tour de France, was unfortunately at a time when performance enhancing drugs were raging through the peloton.
To beat them: impossible. To join them: the worst decision of his life.
A lose-lose situation had been presented, and Stuart O’Grady, unfortunately chose the greater loss. This mistake has potentially ruined his career.
I would like you to consider, is there anything you have done you are ashamed of?
If so, how would you feel about the world knowing?
It is highly hypocritical to criticise O’Grady from the comfort of your home, about something he is terribly ashamed of, which occurred 15 years ago.
I urge you to continue supporting Stuart O’Grady, as he is an icon for Australian cycling, paving the way for future generations of Australian champions.
He made a mistake, he has apologised. He is currently suffering the consequences of his acts, while remaining humble and true to his nature.
What more can you want of such a highly esteemed champion?
Long live the legacy of Stuart O’Grady.
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