An active kid, Pat spent a lot of his time as a youngster playing a variety of sports, trying his hand (and feet) at athletics, basketball, triathlons. His first love was Australian Rules Football however, his dad took up cycling after some injuries from other sports and when he was ten, Pat and his brother went out for some rides with him, and he slowly caught the bug; competing in more and more races.
Making the move across to Europe from Australia in 2022 when he joined the Development program, Pat has made steady progress each season and his hard-work and talents see him turn professional for the 2024 campaign. Such a big life-changing move wasn’t all plain sailing for the Bendigo-born Aussie.
“I lived away from home in Adelaide when I was with the Aussie track team for sixth months, but I think that was still the honeymoon phase. Then when I moved over to Europe it was suddenly all real and I had to learn how to look after myself in a new environment.”
Yet, Pat took any challenges in his stride and thinks that he learned a lot about himself in that time, maturing as a person, and he now is “as comfortable in Europe as back in Australia”. He also has grown as an athlete too; taking on some valuable information from the team’s experts on things like nutrition, but also taking more care of myself and “even the small things like going to bed at a reasonable time” – which for most youngsters is definitely a problem!
On the bike Pat already competed alongside the Men’s program in some mixed line-up races in 2022 and that is something he continued to do in the 2023 season.
“This last year I was able to do even more races with the Men’s program and had a bigger role which was nice. I’ve taken quite a lot of confidence out of that and started to feel more comfortable in my abilities. It was also really good to learn from the older guys too and I gained some valuable experience which will help in the coming years.”
Reflecting on his career so far, the ZLM Tour is a race that stands out for Pat as a highlight moment. With a future as part of the sprint group, Pat relished the opportunity of five days of full-gas racing on the flat, mixed in with some tough moments in the crosswinds; and he was able to show his power with a top ten finish in the prologue. Yet, it also says a lot about Pat’s personality that he not only focused on the highs, but also learned “how to take constructive criticism from the older guys” and bounce-back after challenging days; all of which has helped him to “believe that I can do this sport professionally.”
Looking ahead, Pat believes that there is a “really nice sprint group coming together” within the team made up of guys who have come through the Development program, experienced guys already in the Men’s program and of course some new faces – with a “lot of potential wins on the table.”
Describing himself as “eager” but “patient” and full of “vibes”, Pat looks to bring his buoyant attitude with him as he makes the step up to the WorldTour where he’s keen to get stuck in and work hard for the team.
Away from the bike you can find him sharpening his barista skills or if you’re (un)lucky enough, then you might hear him belting out Don McLean’s American Pie – which he knows all the lyrics to.