The latest accolade from Cycling Australia puts him in elite company
WHEN he was racing on the road or track, Tim Decker was well aware he was far from the fastest or most powerful in the field.
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What he had in the early years of his cycling career and still has many kilometres and seasons later is a burning desire to "be the best he can be" at his craft.
For a long time it was as Decker the racer, now it's as Decker the coach.
Over the years he has racked up a catalogue of impressive victories, Melbourne to Warrnambool and Bendigo International Madison are two that readily spring to mind.
The latest accolade - Cycling Australia's international coach of the year - puts him in elite company.
As the national track endurance coach, Decker played a key role in the Australia Cyclones success at the world titles and Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
A goldrush by Australia's top track cyclists in 2014 included victory in the teams pursuit in Glasgow.
The Cyclones squad included Bendigo's Glenn O'Shea.
The link between Decker and O'Shea, firstly as clubmates and later coach-cyclist has lasted many years.
Both teamed as coach-cyclist when Decker was in charge of the Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport's cycling squad.
After moving from Natimuk near Horsham to Bendigo, Decker has gone on to achieve plenty.
His victory with Eaglehawk's Chris White in the 1996 Bendigo International Madison was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the iconic race.
At the time, Decker was in B-grade of the scratch races at the open carnivals held across the state.
Not the fastest or strongest in terms of legpower, Decker's determination was to the fore in many more madison hit-outs.
As a coach he has played a massive part in the success of Glenn O'Shea, Zak Dempster and many more.
O'Shea has gone on to star at the Olympics, world titles and Commonwealth Games.
Dempster raced in this year's Tour de France.
An incredible effort by someone who first started racing in Castlemaine.
Wins by Decker, O'Shea and Dempster have earned multiple honours in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Advertiser Sports Star of the Year award.
Finalists in the 50th year of Sports Star, which is supported by Prime 7, include Dempster and O'Shea.
On the weekend Decker, pictured with the CA award in a John Veage shot, tweeted he was "lucky enough" to win a prize for coaching.
Lucky is winning the raffle at the pub.
The dedication from the likes of Decker, his family, plus support coaches, and of course the cyclists means the Cyclones will be tough to beat in their pursuit for individual and team success at the Rio Olympics.
