Working behind the scenes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is local Pat Ryan, a bicycle mechanic for the Australian women’s road cyclists team.
A mechanic for 14 years, Pat also works for Team Jayco-Alula, a professional road racing cycling team.
Eldest son of locals Brendan and Therese Ryan, Pat attended Pyalong Primary School and Assumption College Kilmore before travelling to Europe, where he has resided for the better part of the last 10 years, coming back to spend the Australian summer with friends and family.
During his visits back home, Pat spends his time playing for the Pyalong Cricket team, and enjoys fishing with best mate Dan Zoch.
While this is not Pat’s first Olympic Games – his first being the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – it is the first time that he has participated in a gold medal race.
Pat was responsible for building the time trial bike, and was in the car behind Olympian Grace Brown, who won Australia’s first gold medal at the games this year.
Despite the wet conditions, Brendan and Therese said Grace rode ‘brilliantly’, finishing 91 seconds ahead of the silver medal rider.
Grace will retire at the end of the 2024 season, concluding her eight-year cycling career that has seen her win several medals and boast incredible achievements.
Therese and Brendan proudly shared their son’s achievements and experiences.
“Prior to Europe, he trained in Bendigo then took up a position in Adelaide with Cycling Australia,” they said.
“Pat had a dream to be a bike mechanic – little did we know it would take him to the Olympics. Like the elite athletes, he has shown dedication and skill to be working at the highest level.”
Pat will take a well-earned break back to Girona, Spain, after the Olympics.
