Riding with a Legend: Stuart O'Grady reflects on Paris-Roubaix and his continuing love affair with cycling
In 2007, Stuart O'Grady became the first Australian to win Paris-Roubaix, one of cycling's most prestigious and brutal one-day races. Today, the former professional cyclist shares his passion and expertise through Mummu Cycling tours, guiding cycling enthusiasts through the iconic routes of the Spring Classics and Tour de France. We sat down with Stuart to discuss his historic victory and his transition from competitor to cycling tour host and ride guide.
Your 2007 Paris-Roubaix victory was a landmark moment in Australian cycling. What memories stand out most from that day?
The build up to that day was incredible. My roommate & close friend Fabian Cancellara was the red hot favourite, but I was also (quietly) alongside him, in the form of my life. To win, you have to be prepared to lose it all, so I made sure I was aggressive from the opening kilometres and stayed out of trouble, up the front as long as possible. Then things certainly have to fall in your favour…
I punctured in the Arneberg Forest. I crashed a while later. But I always styed motivated and used all my experience to get me back to the front again. Then when I went solo.. It was all or nothing.
The final kilometres were surreal. After racing for nearly six hours over those brutal cobblestones, entering the Roubaix velodrome alone was a moment I'll never forget. The pain just disappeared. I'd dreamed about winning this race since I was a kid, and suddenly there I was, making history as the first Aussie to lift that cobblestone trophy.
To have my wife (pregnant with our daughter Keira) inside the velodrome with my son Seth, was even more satisfying.
How does it feel now returning to the pavé sectors as a ride guide rather than a competitor?
It's a completely different perspective but equally rewarding. When I'm showing guests these iconic roads, I get to relive my racing days through their eyes. There's something special about sharing the history and challenges of these routes with people who are experiencing them for the first time. Their excitement reminds me why I fell in love with cycling in the first place.
I absolutely love heading back to Europe for the Spring classics. I get to enjoy all the other emotions and festivities surrounding the event which you don’t see or get to feel when you’re racing.
Flanders & Roubaix are two of the greatest One Day races to see live.
Why Mummu Cycling? What made you want to be part of their team?
What drew me to Mummu was their genuine passion for creating authentic cycling experiences. From the first trip, I knew we were going to be able to deliver special cycling journeys for any of our guests that came along for the adventure.
They understand that it's not just about riding the routes - it's about immersing people in cycling culture and history. They have strong relationships with race organizers and local communities, which means we can offer unique behind-the-scenes access. Plus, their attention to detail and dedication to personalized service aligned perfectly with my vision of how cycling tours should be run. It felt like a natural fit from the start. With my network of friends within the World Tour and Mummu’s commitment to make every trip the greatest possible experience for each client, we were always going to be able to offer more than what any other Tour Operator could.
What's the most challenging aspect of the cobbled classics that casual cyclists might not appreciate until they ride them?
How ridiculously hard core the cobble sections are in Roubaix and how steep the climbs are in Flanders. The technicality of the run in’s to each section and just how bad the roads really are.
Most people focus on the cobbles themselves, but it's also the positioning before each sector that's crucial. On our tours, I teach riders about reading the road, choosing the best line, how to hold the handlebars properly, how and when to use their brakes and maintaining momentum. The vibrations are brutal, yes, but it's the constant fight for position and the technical aspects that really make these races special.
How do you prepare tour participants for tackling these legendary routes?
We start with a proper bike setup and equipment choices - things I learned through years of racing. Then we focus on technique, racing lines, how to “read the cobbles” and pace. I always tell them it's not about racing, but about experiencing these roads that have shaped cycling history. We want them to challenge themselves while staying safe and enjoying the experience.
My saying is – “Pain is temporary. Memories are forever!”
What's the most rewarding part of hosting cycling tours?
Seeing the joy on people's faces when they conquer their first cobbled sector or reach the top of a famous climb. These tours aren't just about riding; they're about creating memories and sharing stories. Afterwards we’ll share a beer and have dinner together, and I love hearing everyone's different cycling journeys and what brought them here.
Cycling is such a unique experience and every single day is different
What advice do you give to cyclists attempting their first cobbled classic route?
Keep a strong grip on the bars but relax your upper body, keep a steady power output, and don't fight the bike - let it float a bit over the cobbles. Choosing the right gears at the beginning of each section is important as it’s hard to change once you’ve entered the section. A nice high cadence and hit the cobbles with as much speed as you can (safely!) But most importantly, take it all in. These roads have so much history, and every rider who tackles them becomes part of that legacy, whether they're racing or touring.
Looking back at your racing career and now your role as a tour host, what's been the biggest surprise about this transition?
I never expected to find the same excitement and enjoyment in guiding as I did in racing, but it's incredibly fulfilling. Helping others experience their cycling dreams, whether it's conquering the Arenberg Forest or climbing Alpe d'Huez. If I’m having fun I can only imagine how much the clients are out there pedalling away with a smile.
It's like I've found a new way to contribute to the sport I love.
If you haven’t been to the Classics or a Grand Tour, you absolutely have to add it to your bucket list.
Just read the reviews to get an idea how much enjoyment past guests have walked away with.
I hope to see a few new faces on the next trip.
Ride Safe
