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David Zabriskie prides himself on not being serious.
Unless he's racing his bicycle.
Known for playful antics such as conducting absurdist interviews with fellow racers and growing a silly-looking mustache, the 29-year-old Olympus High School graduate has become one of the most feared cyclists in the world - a three-time national time-trial champion and the only American to win stages in all three of his sport's Grand Tours.
He's one of only three Americans to lead the famed Tour de France, but feared he would miss his chance at competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he fractured a vertebrae in his back in a crash during the Tour of Italy in May. He missed the Tour de France, but healed just in time to return to training in the Park City area and convince USA Cycling officials to put him on the U.S. team.
Like fellow Olympian and former Utahn Levi Leipheimer, he has been working with Max Testa, a doctor and coach who has created with speedskating legend Eric Heiden a performance-enhancement program at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Murray.
And though he missed valuable training time while recovering from injury, Zabriskie believes he can contend for a medal in his time-trial specialty, though he also will compete in the road race in his first Olympics.
Web site: http://www.davezabriskie.com" Target="_BLANK">http://www.davezabriskie.com
Competition dates: Aug. 9 and 13
Timeline:
Born Jan. 12, 1979 to Sheree Hamik in Salt Lake City. Endures strained relationship with alcoholic father who dies at age 42.
Inspiration: Buys a bike after being inspired by the movie "Breaking Away," and joins a local cycling club at the suggestion of a coach who'd watched him easily pass other runners during a physical education class at Olympus High School.
National honors: In 1997, having graduated high school early, joins national team program and moves to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Finishes fourth in the time trial at the World Junior Cycling Championships.
Pro start: Turns pro in 2001 and joins the U.S. Postal Service team, led by the legendary Lance Armstrong. Begins living and racing in Europe while building his pro career.
Serious injury: Suffers career-threatening wrist and leg injuries in 2003 when hit by a sport-utility vehicle while riding in Mill Creek Canyon. Requires months of rehabilitation to resume cycling.
Back to racing: Returns to form spectacularly in 2004, winning the first of three national time trial championships and a stage of the Tour of Spain.
Tour highs and lows: In 2005, joins Team CSC and wins the individual time trial to begin the Tour de France, becoming the first American to win stages at all three Grand Tours. Wears yellow jersey as race leader for three days until a crash during team time trial forces him to abandon the race. Marries Randi Reich.
Moving forward: Wins third national time trial championship in 2007, finishes fifth at the Dauphine Libere, and founds Yield to Life, a charitable organization aimed at promoting cycling safety and awareness on the roads.
Another recovery: Injures back in crash during second stage of Tour of Italy this year and abandons the race, but recovers to earn nomination to the U.S. Olympic Team for the first time. Wife delivers first son, Waylon.