Damian Grundy
- In: Topbike Staff
TOPBIKE TOUR LEADER
In the early days Damian just rode for fun, but he did love racing anything that moved! Damian and his mates modified 3 speed Sturmey Archers and raced them around the dirt tracks in Melbourne’s East, a portend of the future.
When Damian finished school, he went into the bike trade and graduated to a real racing bike, then he tried everything Road, track and even BMX. Most of all he enjoyed long days riding and touring by bike.
In the mid-eighties finally Damian had a chance to combine his love of cycling and love of the bush as the first mountain bikes appeared on the Australian market.
Some 20 years ago, Damian found himself involved in a bike shop in Eltham, working mostly on the weekends. On occasions, a gangly, awkward and somewhat shy 15 year old kid turned up at the shop. Rachael (Damian’s better half) noticed that this 15 year old kid finished 2nd in Under 17s at National Championships in Thredbo.
Damian was also racing at Thredbo. Even then as later he had an eye for natural talent and so took the opportunity to introduce himself to the kid.
“Hey I’m Damian from Eltham Cycleworks, well done in the race, I hear you come in the shop, what is your name?”
“Thanks, I’m Cadel!”
“Nice to meet you Cadel, if you need any help with your riding I’d be happy to help, just drop in on a Saturday when I’m at the shop and we can chat.”
And the rest as they say is history..
Damian Grundy has travelled the world with cycling and been to lots of races in many different places including 3 Olympic Games as Australian National Mountain bike coach. Damian has coached many great and wonderful athletes and was Cadel Evan’s first coach. He was probably the second person in the world to realise it was possible that one day Cadel would wear Yellow in Paris….
