 | O'GRADY FACTFILE DOB: 6/8/1973 Nationality: Australian Best Tour: Yellow jersey wearer - 1998 |
Stuart O'Grady enjoyed something of a second life in his cycling career last season, becoming refreshed by his switch to Cofidis. The Australian admitted he had become stale at Credit Agricole and, after moving, he enjoyed a stunning 2004.
He won stage five of the Tour de France, won two stages in the Dauphine Libere, was third in the Milan-san Remo and won a track gold at the Olympics.
His dreams of the green jersey in the Tour, however, fell foul.
He finished fourth in that competition, some way off countryman and eventual points winner Robbie McEwen.
And as the young guns get steadily quicker, the pressure is on the 31-year-old to make his mark in this year's race.
He's not been in quite such scintillating form this season but has still showed he is a class act.
He was third overall in his home event, the Tour Down Under, sixth in the Tour d'Algarve and fourth in the Milan-San Remo.
O'Grady boasts an impressive CV, having won gold in the Commonwealth Games road race in 2002 and led the Tour de France in 1998 and 2001, winning a stage to Grenoble in 1998.
His best result in the race is some way ahead of his sprint rivals, having finished 54th in 2001.
And he has also worn the leader's yellow jersey on two previous Tours.
MMIX
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