Stage 3- 112km with a big hill and the same hills as the day before. The KOM was on a 500m 15% climb which comes up suddenly. It is flat and fast all the way to the bottom and it doesn't change once you hit it except not flat.
I was tasked with keeping Tim with the Yellow jersey. So I paced for him, chased for him and drove the bunch at as high a speed as I could before Tim gave me some time to recover. Problem is no-one else in the team was in a position to take over so I sat in just behind for 1km and was back into it. We hit the climb at 45km/h and that was me, rapidly heading backwards as I suffered u the KOM. I got over the top just off the back of the main group(lots more behind me though) and motored at over 75km/h down a sketchy descent through light an dark, wet and dry, and off camber corners to catch the main group. After nearly over cooking a couple of corners I resigned myself to not catching the main group solo so waited or some other chasers and pickup some up and formed a nice working Gruppetto. We worked hard to limit the losses and ended up only losing 14min on the leaders.
A nasty crash in the lead group saw another rider going to hospital. The crash the day before saw the worst rider get a rod in his leg. All up agood day and I survived for another day.
Stage 4- 1.1km Criterium around the SALT Village.
This was always going to be a very fast and hard race, so I made sure I was near the front at the start. Sure enough the U/19 started off at a blistering pace with speeds in excess of 55km/h for the first 10mins. As a reult I over cooked myself and was going out the back at a rapid rate. At the 20min mark there was a bad crash with a rider hitting a parked car, which stopped the race. Just as the Coms were stopping the race they pulled me and the 2 other riders up and stopped us first. By the time the rest of the race had stopped they had decided that my group was going to get caught and we were pulled out of the race as lapped riders. When the race was restarted they had 4mins plus 2 laps. Why couldn't my group ride the last 4 minutes and finish the race properly. At least they gave us a finishing time not a DNF.
End result was 30th on GC @ 36min plus some change.
Time to recover and rebuild for the next event.
CIAO
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Tour de Tweed Coast Stage 1 and 2
Stage 1-ITT-8km
Start time-07:37:30
After no warm up and a rushed start due to following another car who got lost, I took off. My main aim was to finish strong and not blow up. Also not to get caught by the rider 30secs behind me.
Well I manged all of the above and stretched the time between me and the following rider(not by much though). End result was an 8km ITT in 13:35. For me, as a non TT specialist, I satisfying result.
Time to get ready for a punishing 66km Road Race.
Stage 2-Road Race-66km
Start Time-1030
After warming up and a change of clothes from my ADCC skinsuit into my HYPE Energy Team kit, I headed off for a coffee. The roadie is setup ready to go and the team is gathering for a shot of HYPE and some coffee and food. The next thing you know a tyre explodes and guess what? Its mine, my rear Zipp tubular blows out the side wall. Probably a saving grace as the 21-11 gear was to big for the course.
We took of with ELite B, MAsters A and U/19 Boys all starting at the same time. 93 riders and a small part of the road to use. The comms were handing out fines for crossing double white lines and the police were doing it too and with a double demerit points this weekend things were a bit tame, until.....
We hit the first of the hills and from there it blew up. I got stalled on the KOM by a touch off wheels which helped in a big way to split the race. From then on in it was a matter of finishing and saving as much time as possible. SO the forming of a gruppetto of those whoi got shed because of crashes and mechanicals was on the cards and we rode a steady tempo to the finish. We came in 18min behind teh winner and survuved to race another day. We did mange a sprint from the gruppetto(which I won) to keep in some form for the Crit in 2 days time.
Anyway rest time. More tomorrow 112km with a lap of todays course plus a KOM on a 500m @ 15% climb. ANother update tomorrow
CIAO
Start time-07:37:30
After no warm up and a rushed start due to following another car who got lost, I took off. My main aim was to finish strong and not blow up. Also not to get caught by the rider 30secs behind me.
Well I manged all of the above and stretched the time between me and the following rider(not by much though). End result was an 8km ITT in 13:35. For me, as a non TT specialist, I satisfying result.
Time to get ready for a punishing 66km Road Race.
Stage 2-Road Race-66km
Start Time-1030
After warming up and a change of clothes from my ADCC skinsuit into my HYPE Energy Team kit, I headed off for a coffee. The roadie is setup ready to go and the team is gathering for a shot of HYPE and some coffee and food. The next thing you know a tyre explodes and guess what? Its mine, my rear Zipp tubular blows out the side wall. Probably a saving grace as the 21-11 gear was to big for the course.
We took of with ELite B, MAsters A and U/19 Boys all starting at the same time. 93 riders and a small part of the road to use. The comms were handing out fines for crossing double white lines and the police were doing it too and with a double demerit points this weekend things were a bit tame, until.....
We hit the first of the hills and from there it blew up. I got stalled on the KOM by a touch off wheels which helped in a big way to split the race. From then on in it was a matter of finishing and saving as much time as possible. SO the forming of a gruppetto of those whoi got shed because of crashes and mechanicals was on the cards and we rode a steady tempo to the finish. We came in 18min behind teh winner and survuved to race another day. We did mange a sprint from the gruppetto(which I won) to keep in some form for the Crit in 2 days time.
Anyway rest time. More tomorrow 112km with a lap of todays course plus a KOM on a 500m @ 15% climb. ANother update tomorrow
CIAO
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tour de Tweed Coast-2 days to start
Well we are now only 2 sleeps form the start of the Tour de Tweed Coast, the Battle of the Border, Cyclings State of Origin if you will.
Everything is going good. The bags are nearly packed the bikes are right to go. The legs feel good, and my mind is in the right place for where we are right now.
It will be good to have the family down there with me, even if they will only watch the Crit on the last day.
I have seen some names on the start list from some of my old stomping grounds in Newcastle. Curious as to their form, and some inquiries to some of my club mates down that way have not yielded any help, YET.
ANy way will post some stage results and reports daily once in location. I will also let you all know what the Salt Mantra Resort is like as well.
CIAO
Everything is going good. The bags are nearly packed the bikes are right to go. The legs feel good, and my mind is in the right place for where we are right now.
It will be good to have the family down there with me, even if they will only watch the Crit on the last day.
I have seen some names on the start list from some of my old stomping grounds in Newcastle. Curious as to their form, and some inquiries to some of my club mates down that way have not yielded any help, YET.
ANy way will post some stage results and reports daily once in location. I will also let you all know what the Salt Mantra Resort is like as well.
CIAO
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Every thing right- Except the finish
Well the Metro Crit Title was run yesterday and another great race. Fast aggressive and all eyes on me. Being the defending Champ, I was a marked man and as a result so was my whole team. HYPE Energy made sure that we had a rider in every attempt to gap the race, giving us a chance at every point. THe boys did a mountain of work and still had enough in the legs to pull me to the front for the finish.
THe finishing 2laps, OMG, very sketchy. Bikes and riders going everywhere, chopping wheels, some riders power sliding on some corners. At one stage, I had one of my team mates bars under my leg and ended up sitting on them at 55km/h. The last lap I was positioned perfectly for the sprint but a second lineout on the right of me kicked at 200m and the wheels in front of me faded leaving me dropping of the pace a bit. I jumped across to the other line and started to sprint but all I ended up doing was saving myself from being passed. I picked up 2 slots and finished in 7th. THe first 6 places were pretty much lined across the course not leaving a path through, so being in the winning roup is a good result in the end.
Pictures to come soon
Good Luck to the HYPE Energy Team at the Metro Road Race at Mt Alford today.
For me it is time to get some TT training in and some hills ready for the Battle on the Border-Tour de Tweed Coast, next weekend. I ahve all this week off to ride and get the kms in and finalise my condition.
The plan is for Tim for GC and me for stage wins. But you know what they say about plans, theye go out the window as soon as the race starts.
Wish us luck!!! ;)
THe finishing 2laps, OMG, very sketchy. Bikes and riders going everywhere, chopping wheels, some riders power sliding on some corners. At one stage, I had one of my team mates bars under my leg and ended up sitting on them at 55km/h. The last lap I was positioned perfectly for the sprint but a second lineout on the right of me kicked at 200m and the wheels in front of me faded leaving me dropping of the pace a bit. I jumped across to the other line and started to sprint but all I ended up doing was saving myself from being passed. I picked up 2 slots and finished in 7th. THe first 6 places were pretty much lined across the course not leaving a path through, so being in the winning roup is a good result in the end.
Pictures to come soon
Good Luck to the HYPE Energy Team at the Metro Road Race at Mt Alford today.
For me it is time to get some TT training in and some hills ready for the Battle on the Border-Tour de Tweed Coast, next weekend. I ahve all this week off to ride and get the kms in and finalise my condition.
The plan is for Tim for GC and me for stage wins. But you know what they say about plans, theye go out the window as soon as the race starts.
Wish us luck!!! ;)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Been a while
Sorry it has been awhile since I last posted. But, due to work committments I have been kept decidedly busy.
ANyway tomorrow morning is the metro Crit Titles, which I am defending, so should be interesting. Just for nostalgia resons, this time last year it rained and I won. It rained again tonight after a hard rain period, so i Hope it is a good Omen. Anyway the HYPE ENergy race team will be supporting me.
1 week until the Tour of the Tweed Coast or Battle on the border. ENtry in and Accomodation in, all that is needed is form and condition. Army hasn't given me the best lead up but that as never stopped me and it wont now.
ANyhow,
Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow.
FINGERS CROSSED
ANyway tomorrow morning is the metro Crit Titles, which I am defending, so should be interesting. Just for nostalgia resons, this time last year it rained and I won. It rained again tonight after a hard rain period, so i Hope it is a good Omen. Anyway the HYPE ENergy race team will be supporting me.
1 week until the Tour of the Tweed Coast or Battle on the border. ENtry in and Accomodation in, all that is needed is form and condition. Army hasn't given me the best lead up but that as never stopped me and it wont now.
ANyhow,
Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow.
FINGERS CROSSED
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wishing Good Luck
I would like to wish my mate Ryan(thechargingrhino.blogspot.com) all the best during his month of living the dream in Belgium. Hope he has some some success and has a safe trip.
Keep us posted buddy with all your exploits and send heaps of pics.
Keep us posted buddy with all your exploits and send heaps of pics.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Form coming in
After a good weekend on the bike, I have seen my form coming in. Racing at Murrarie on Saturday was really good. I felt a bit dubious about my form when I got there as I haven't raced at Muzz in a while and the differnece in speed and ability between Nundah and Murrarie is huge. But, once the race started and I got intot he flow of the race I wa pleasantly surprised. The speed was there the strength was there and the gaps found me.
Sunday I headed out to the Zupps bunch ride and once again the feelings were good. Legs were light and loose and the body was relaxed. When the ride kicked into top gear, I found it easy to move up to the front and get across the gaps.
The only downside to the wekend is small tear in my right Hamstring which started to hurt at the 100km mark on Sunday. But after 230km over the weekend with some very hard and fast racing efforts forming the majority of the kms I am happy.
Today, being a public holiday, I have had a quiet day, no bike as yet but I will probably get on the rollers for 30min just to spin the legs and keep them soft and supple.
Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Wade(US rider in Cinelli-Down Under Team) after his huge crash and Coma over the weekend.
Ciao
Sunday I headed out to the Zupps bunch ride and once again the feelings were good. Legs were light and loose and the body was relaxed. When the ride kicked into top gear, I found it easy to move up to the front and get across the gaps.
The only downside to the wekend is small tear in my right Hamstring which started to hurt at the 100km mark on Sunday. But after 230km over the weekend with some very hard and fast racing efforts forming the majority of the kms I am happy.
Today, being a public holiday, I have had a quiet day, no bike as yet but I will probably get on the rollers for 30min just to spin the legs and keep them soft and supple.
Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Wade(US rider in Cinelli-Down Under Team) after his huge crash and Coma over the weekend.
Ciao
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