2008 South Australian Champion, Gene Bates is a recent recruit to the Drapac Porsche Team. Gene comes to the team with a wealth of knowledge and experience after living and racing in Europe for the last 8 years. For the last two seasons Gene rode professionally for the Swiss team LPR, competing in ProTour events including the Tirreno-Adriatico, Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Lombardy. Additionally, Gene has raced a lot on the Track, crowned Junior World Teams Pursuit Champion in 1999.  The younger riders in the program will benefit greatly from Gene and his cycling background.

Gene is currently completing a Bachelor of Health Science at Flinders University in Adelaide. He is looking to pursue his interests in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Daniel is a recent recruit to the Drapac Porsche team.  A stagier for the team for the 2007 season, Daniel travelled with the team to the Japan Cup.  He was a key contributor to the team’s results and is looking to have a great 2008 season.  Earlier in 2007, Daniel was heavily involved in mountain biking, competing at the highest level of mountain biking.  His success included winning the U21 International Italian series.  His talent as a hill-climber will be a great asset to the team.  Daniel is currently completing a Science degree at Melbourne University .

Mitchell is one of three original program members, joining the program in 2003. After watching Scott McGrory and Brett Aitkin ride to gold in the Madison at the Sydney Olympic Games, Mitch was enticed on to a bike. Mitch represented Australia at the 2004 Junior World Championships claiming gold in the Team Pursuit. Mitch’s credits also include successes in the Herald Sun Tour in 2005 and 2006 as well as representing Australia in the 2006 UCI World Cup in Moscow. Mitch is currently in his final year at RMIT University studying a Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Technology and Nutrition) at RMIT University.

Damion is entering his second year of University where he is studying Nutrition and Dietetics at Monash University in Melbourne.  Damion started competing in cycling from an early age. As a junior, he was very competitive on both the track and road representing Victoria at a number of National Championships. Aside from cycling, Damion is an active snowboarder regularly competing in competitions. His other interests include medicine and animals, particularly horses.

Grant joins the 2008 Drapac Porsche team as both a Road and Track rider. Grant is employed as a full time Carpenter and manages his training and racing around his work. An Australian Champion on the Track, Grant entered the team as an all rounder and will be a key rider in International competitions.

Pip has completed his VCE and this year begins university studying Industrial Design at RMIT. A talented musician, Pip can play many instruments and includes amongst his hobbies a strong passion for IT (website design in particular). On the bike, Pip has achieved five State Championships and has been a medallist at the Oceania and Australian Championships.  Recently he has returned from the Tour of East Java where he finished third in the in the second stage of the tour and claimed second position overall on general classification in the under 23 category.

Peter has recently joined the Drapac Porsche team.  Peter holds a Bachelor of Education and is looking to own and operate his own unique bicycle store. A strong competitor throughout this years 2007 National Road Series, finishing in second position behind Drapac Porsche’s Stuart Shaw .  Peter’s experience in cycling will be of great benefit to pass onto the younger athletes in the team.

Angus has come from Real Aussie Kids Junior Development program, another innovative program which shares the core philosophy of Drapac Porsche - developing Junior riders both on and off the bike, with an emphasis on school and social development.  In 2006, Angus was selected for the Australian Junior World Championship Road Cycling team, spending five weeks in Europe where he achieved excellent results.  Angus will finish his year 12 HSC this year and is looking to study Marketing / Public Relations at University. 

Casey joined the Program in late 2006 after a strong year on the bike. His results to date include two Victorian Championships and two National Series victories. Casey is currently studying a diploma in Hospitality Management at William Angliss TAFE after graduating from Strathmore Secondary College in 2004. Currently working part time at La Lucciola restaurant, Casey hopes to open his own restaurant with his brother after the completion of his course.

Mark joined the Program in 2006. Hailing from Bendigo, Mark comes with an excellent sporting background and a strong work ethic. Currently studying Commence at Latrobe University, Mark has shown he is successful in many areas, including winning local sporting awards and representing Australia at the junior level. Mark has won 2 National Championships as well as 10 victories in multiple stage and one day races.

Miles is one of the team’s newest recruits after spending the last three years at SouthAustralia.com/AIS. Miles excels on both the track and road and is well known for his successes in 6-day races, finishing first in the U25 Amsterdam and Dortmund 6-Day events. When not cycling, Miles works full time with Gunter Constructions as a labourer.

Stuart is one of the elder statesmen of the Program and a very accomplished individual. Stuart completed a four year traineeship through AGL and currently works for Agility as a Draftsman on its Natural Gas pipelines. He is excellent in dealing with the younger riders on the Program and is a naturally effervescent personality. Stuart has been a past Triathlon champion and he has only recently crossed into cycling with devastating results including five international victories.

Phil is currently employed with Gosford City Council as a Road Asset Engineer after completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at UTS. A very savvy individual, Phil has travelled the world competing as a cyclist but not at the expense of his studies or his work. Phil’s results include Oceania Champion in the Individual Pursuit, ten stage wins in National events and Sydney University’s Sports Person of the Year. Phil is a great example for our younger riders and gives them something to follow as he strives to make the Australian Team for the Beijing Olympics.

Robbie is a very accomplished cyclist, but is just as skilled off the bike. Currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Wollongong, Robbie has previously also undertaken Business Computing and Computer Accounting Systems courses of study through TAFE in which he received a distinction. Named Bomaderry RSL ‘Sports Star of the Year’ and bestowed the ‘Pierre de Coubertin’ award (In recognition of sporting achievements and demonstration of those endeavours which are consistent with the aims of the Olympic Movement), Robbie is a well rounded individual who has also participated in the ‘Gold Medal Fitness Program’ which sees athletes visiting schools to discuss sport. Robbie’s cycling achievements include two State Championships, five National Series wins, and five top 20 results in International races in Belgium.

Dean is currently completing a Bachelor of Education at the Charles Sturt University, between studying and Cycling Dean still finds time to Mentor children at his local High School and work part-time. Dean also enjoys the mechanical side of cycling and has even invented a number of new cycling products. With these time constraints in mind Dean’s results can only be described as outstanding. Starting off the year with a stage win at the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic, Dean continued to show is great form finishing a close second in the third stage of the Tour De Taiwan and Bendigo International Criterium. Dean got a taste for European racing in the middle of the year, travelling with the team to a number of high profile events.