Ryan Bayley is a great kid who has really come of age with his cycling since he started training
with sprint king Darren Hill. He makes no bones about how hard it is keeping up with Darren Hill but he
is determined to succeed at a tough sport that demands so much from its participants. National
coach Charlie Walsh happens to think he is a rider of the future and definately one to keep an eye on.
I caught up with him in this exclusive interview immediately after he had won his third GOLD medal for the
championships with a magnificent win in the U/19 Keiren. For his efforts Ryan was awarded the "Champion Of
Champions Award". It could not have gone to a more worthy recipient.
Congratulations Ryan, that certainly was a great keiren final and one you must be really happy with.
Tell us a little about the race and the tactics of keiren racing.
Yeh its a hard thing to understand, keiren racing. I've gone into it thinking well theres three New South
Wales riders and I'm either going to have to out-power them or out-smart them and I think roughly I've
done both. I've been pushed around a bit by Mark Renshaw and I wasn't going to get a good move staying where
I was so I decided to run straight at them and they weren't ready for it. So basically I gapped them and I'm
quite happy with the result of it.
In that first round though you nearly gave me a heart attack when you took it out so early and got beaten. It was
a pretty bold move that failed, but fortunately you had the repocharge to come back through.
It must have left you wondering what you had done though.
The first rep I was just going round, sort of follow someone, then I was going to do this or that. I ah..
panicked and went but someone got on my wheel. Mate I was just not thinking, got nervous, then panicked and that was
the end of the race.
I guess this is one of the things you'll settle down with. Training with Darren Hill you'll notice that the panics don't
get hold of him too often. Its only a matter of gaining that experience isn't it.
Yes well it's a psychological thing you have to learn to think above and having not raced too many keirens,theres a few
things can happen and its an easy thing to do, to panic, where-as nothing phases Darren.
Well theres one thing that always counts with championships and that is just winning them no matter what happens and thats
the main thing. Once you've got it no one can take it away, its yours for life so you'll have lots of good memories from here.
Yes definately. Three GOLD and a SILVER I'm very proud of what I have done and so is my coach.
And now there are a few people keeping and eye on you to see how you go over the next few months too.
Well a few people have talked to me about the world titles and its nice to know that I've basically been selected, so I'm quite
happy with whats going on.
It also must be good to know that the Australian teams are really settled and bond together really good. Everyone sems focused
on the task at hand.
Their all top of the line and have done junior worlds plus their very competant people.
And now being a part of this exciting talent thats coming through it's just a matter of being patient and taking your opportunities
as thay come through.
Yes I just take things as they go and when it comes to me I'm quite happy how it goes and thats all
I think about. I just want to enjoy myself
Ryan, once again congratulations. It really is great. You've made a terrific effort.
Thanks a lot Richard.
