FAST: After his gold medal win at the Arafura Games, ABET Dion Blair is contemplating whether he has what it takes to pursue his cycling career.

Photo: CPOET John Anderson

By LCDR Antony Underwood

ABET Dion Blair, who boosted Defence’s medal tally with a gold in cycling in the recently completed Arafura Games, could have a big future in cycling according to his trainer.

And the Navy’s recognised his potential too.

But Dion, 25, originally of Ulladulla, doubts whether he has what it takes to challenge professional cyclists. It began when Dion took up cycling as a better way to commute from Bondi to work at Garden Island. “It’s not very far on bike and, once I got a racing bike, I got hooked – and started talking to CPO Anderson. He’s been coaching both a team mate, POET Dean Mason, and me and helped us a lot,” he said.

Since ABET Blair took a more serious interest in cycling in January, he’s enjoyed conspicuous success in a variety of events in NSW and the Top End.

“He’s shown exceptional form that rivals athletes of considerable experience,” says trainer, CPOET John Anderson.

“Although he has always been fit, he’s been transformed from a gym-junkie into a lycra-wearing cyclist.” ABET Blair didn’t have much in the way of racing tactics when he first experienced criterium racing in February.

CPOET Anderson told him: “Don’t do too much and if you’re still in there towards the end, give it everything you’ve got on the last hill.”

ABET Blair won his first race by a convincing 200m. Since then he’s been consistently winning places in the local B-grade races and occasionally A grade competitions in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, renowned for the top-level athletes it produces.

“Dion has been holding his own with some of the best,” John said.

“During a recent camp, he trained with the Team MG Xpower-Bigpond powerhouses Troy Glennan and Shaun and I think these guys will be watching their backs if Dion holds his form.”

AB has a big future on bikes

“Holding form” means training – lots of it. “I ride 300 to 400 kilometres per week. I’m usually up at 4.30am and start riding at the Sutherland Shire Criterium Track (about 25km south of the CBD) about five,” ABET Blair said.

“Then I go on for a stretch which ranges from an hour to four or five hours – that’s five or six days a week.” ABET Blair’s first big race was at the ADF Championships in Brisbane.

In a strong field with his minimal experience, he placed 5th – good enough to be selected for the Arafura Games, where he won gold.

“If Dion stays on his current track, he will certainly receive recognition on the national scene – and, you never know, might also do something on the international scene,” CPOET Anderson said But Dion is dubious.

“I might go to A grade in state races but I’m too old for the Olympics and you really need to have been riding from age 17 to get onto something like the Tour de France.”

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