Professional road cyclist Robbie McEwen will do whatever it takes to win on a bike. He is proud of his reputation as a 'competitive little bugger' and 'a bit of a hard bastard in the peloton', yet he is at pains to point out that what he's channelling is not rage or aggression but a fierce determination and razor-sharp focus.
Here, in his own words, Robbie reveals what has made him one of the most successful road cyclists of the last 20 years, winning over 200 professional races and three Tour de France green jerseys. From his teen years in Brisbane winning just about every possible title for his age group at BMX, to his road-cycling apprenticeship at the Australian Institute of Sport before signing his first professional contract with Rabobank, right up to the present day, living in Belgium and riding for RadioShack, this is the complete picture of the inimitable sprinter.
Robbie is every bit the feisty, single-minded battler that his fans know and love, but he is also a father and husband who likes hanging out with his mates and having fun. As he puts it, 'Most of the time, I'm Dr Jekyll. Mr Hyde only makes rare appearances, but unfortunately people judge him, not me.' Here, with his characteristic candour and energy, Robbie sets the record straight.