Simon Clarke

The Australian puncheur talks music, bike bling and controversial heroes

- Chris Marshall-Bell

CW: Where do you live?

SC: My wife and I have three houses. One is in Andorra where we live during the season. Andorra is a beautiful place. It’s 42km from border to border but with 21 classified climbs so there’s plenty of climbing. We have another one in Italy because my wife’s Italian and then I own one in Australia that I rent out but I’ve never slept in. One day I’d like to sleep a night in my own house!

CW: If you could win any race what would it be?

SC: To win Strade Bianche would be amazing. Where I grew up, there was a two-kilometre dirt road that was steep, with a section of 15 per cent. My whole younger life was spent barrelling down this descent to go out training and creeping up it on the way home. The first time I raced Strade I realised everyone was out of their comfort zone on a dirt road on a road bike but for me it was like I was cycling home.

CW: What music do you listen to?

SC: For training and when on the road, I’m a big fan of listening to Spotify and some electro beats. I love Avicii’s work – and his ‘best of ’ compilation gets a run out at least twice a week. Same with Ministry of Sound – I love their stuff.