Ben Bradley is a hot new talent rising in the MTB scene. Ben at the bright young age of 14 is the 2009/2010 National Series Champion! This is a massive effort for such a young rider. This said this young guy isn’t just any new cyclist to the sport – although he kinda is… He is a young cousin to one of Australia’s best riders – Sid Tabelay – Who is currently living and racing MTB’s in the USA with team Sho-Air/Specialized. Please read below to find out a little more about this rising star.
OZRIDERS: Ben, long have you been cycling for now?
Ben: About 2 years now, but pretty sure I am hooked. 
OZRIDERS: How old are you?
Ben: Im 14, but I’ll be 15 soon!
OZRIDERS: Tell us a little about yourself.
Ben: I live with my Dad at Kingston Beach, Tasmania.I am in Grade 9 at St Virgil’s College. I used to play footy but now riding takes up all my time. I got started riding because of cousin Sid, back when I had a 24″ wheeled MTB shitta that I just started riding around the backyard/street. Then I decided I wanted to do a race, but the only one on at the time was the Mount Wellington Challenge – a 1270 metre vertical gain uphill road time trial. Everyone except Sid was against it, since I hadn’t ridden any further than around the block a couple of times. He just said, “Let him go, all he has to do is turn around and roll back down the hill when he is buggered”. I borrowed Pip’s bike (Sid’s wife). I had to get special permission from the organisation to enter because of my age and Sid had to ride with me. I had the best domestique carring my bottles I think he and everyone else was expecting me to turn around at some point, but I wasn’t going to quit!! I made it up in 1.5hrs, a little slower than Richie Porte’s 49 minutes – though he’s been giving some of the best bike riders in the world a butt kickin’ of late. I guess that is my future target!! …. and since then I have been addicted to riding.
OZRIDERS: Being Related to Sid Tabelay – does that mean big boots to fill in the future?
Ben: Na, he’s only a 42 (Shoe size) , I’m already a 43. LOL… 
– Perhaps, Sid says that if he was half as good as me at my age he’d been World Champ by now. So you could say I’ve got my goals set high.
OZRIDERS: Has Sid been a good mentor?
Ben: Definitely. He knows what to do and how to do it. Best of all he can show you exactly how to do it.
OZRIDERS: Who do you currently ride for atm?
Ben: I’m getting great support from a number of people:
At home, Ray Appleby Cycles look after me, as well as Dion, the SRAM Rep. I’m also now part of the NTID (National Talent Identification program) through the TIS (Tasmanian Institute of Sport) so I’ve been doing their training camps and riding their kit on the road. Overseas I was helped out by Sid’s Team: Sho-Air/Specialized. I also get a lot of Sid’s hand-me-downs and his connections with Specialized also help out. I even got to meet the founder of Specialized and his wife, who were kind enough to help me out while in America. Thanks Mike and Linda!
OZRIDERS: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Ben: I’ve got the Tour of Canberra on the road coming up, followed by the Road National Championships. Then I’ll do the MTB National Series. Having won U15 MTB Nationals last year (2009), I’d like to also win another one, as well as a Road National Champs.
OZRIDERS: Where is your fav. place to go training?
Ben: Being new to the sport I’m still learning the trails and roads, so every ride is an adventure and wicked!
OZRIDERS: Where would be your fav place to ride in Australia?
Ben: I haven’t done a lot of riding outside Tasmania, so it’s really hard to give a spot outside of Tassie. At home I like Westringa off Mt Wellington.
OZRIDERS: Tell us a little about your first experience racing Sea Otter in the USA.
Ben: LONG!!! I had to race further than Sid!
It was awesome, I couldn’t believe how big it was, so many tents and everyone had displays. The newest and greatest of everything bike related. Better than being in a candy store Lots of food and drink samples, as well as the newest product to test ride. It was also crazy full of people. As for the race, I did a couple of local [USA] West Coast races leading into Sea Otter and won those, so I knew I was going ok and wanted to finish top 10 at Sea Otter. Then I found out we were do the same laps as U19 and all the Men except the Pro’s. The Pro’s do a smaller lap around the venue for spectators. My two big laps usually takes the Men 2hrs 15min. This was about to become the longest race of my life, probably the longest for all the U17 guys. I remember Sid’s advice, “it will be survival of the smartest. Whoever looks after themselves on the first lap and has the legs for the second lap is going to win”. I just paced myself on the first lap and kept drinking and eating. I gave it everything I had on the second lap and passed all the guys who went out hard, to win by 8 minutes in a time of 2hrs 45min. One long day, though it was a nice feeling knowing that I had won from
tactical advice.
OZRIDERS: How do you fit training and school into such a busy lifestyle?
Ben: It gets hard in winter when it gets dark so early. I generally have shorter rides during the week and longer ones of a weekend.
OZRIDERS: How long have you been riding our grips?
Ben: Forever!
OZRIDERS: Do you like them?
Ben: Yep, they are wicked
OZRIDERS: Whats planned next? (Road races etc… MTB events you have planned)
Ben: Tour of Canberra, then Road Nationals.
OZRIDERS: Thank you for the interview mate, Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Ben: My dad has been a great support and of course there are a lot of other people, everyone that has been mentioned above and all those at the races who are always full of encouragement. And of course, OZRIDERS for all of their support.
Thanks mate, we hope to see you out on the trails again soon.
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