TEENS HIT THE ROAD
SIBLINGS FOLLOW GATES’ PATH
FORMER Tour de France cyclist Nick Gates never loved riding as much as his two sons do and he says that’s half the battle on the way to becoming professional endurance athletes.
Gates’ stepsons Armani, 19, and Zavier, 17, are busy forging their own careers in cycling and triathlon respectively as the family’s next generation continue the history of sporting excellence.
Armani is a member of the Cycling Australia Academy, based at Maroochydore, while Zavier trains under esteemed triathlon coach Craig Walton’s triathlon squad out of Bond University on the Gold Coast.
“They are very similar to each good and they just love it,” Gates said. “That is half the battle. If you’re committed and continue at it you can reach your goal.
“They both want to become professionals in their sport.”
Miami-based Gates, 41, competed in the Tour de France in 2003 and 2004, riding alongside the likes of fellow Australians Cadel Evans and Robbie McEwen.
The Gates family were living in Europe in 2011 and 2012 and despite Nick managing a team at the time, he never encouraged his sons to take up cycling.
“We were in the south of France and it was quite dangerous to ride,” Gates said.
“It wasn’t until we came back to Australia in 2013 that they decided to do it.
“They started at the local club at Nerang doing some criteriums and just loved it.
“It’s just grown from there.”
Gates said it was pure determination that had made Armani such a good cyclist and he believed that is what he needed to continue to progress.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with talent,” Gates said.
“He is very dedicated. “I look at him sometimes and think I didn’t love it that much.
“He is training 20-plus hours a week and would ride up to 800km in that time.
“I’m pretty proud of them. We talk about what they have to do to take the next steps.
“But I can only guide them, the rest is up to them.”