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On 1/4/08 Bec wrote - I thought that I would update you on my latest results. I raced at Carnegie Club criterium on Sunday morning at Glenvale. I have been racing C grade all season, with the hope of being promoted to B grade by the end of the April. I have placed in the top 10/ 15 overall most of the season, but have not had a top 5 finish overall, which I have found frustrating. Anyhow on Sunday I finished 3rd overall and 1st female, which shows all the hard training is paying off. It also means that I get to race in B grade for the rest of the season.

On 14/4/08 Bec wrote - As most of you know I was recently promoted to B grade at Glenvale and had my first race last weekend (6th April). We had our race tactics and I was to follow Ben and Ollie all race and they were going to lead me out for the sprint. The race was going really well and we were in an excellent position until the 2nd last corner when a crash happened on the inside just as we were heading around on the outside. The crash pushed everyone wide, leaving me nowhere to go except into the gutter. I came off, but lucky enough I landed on the only dirt patch around and did only minor damage to my bike. It was a great experience and I looked forward to racing again. I raced the Tour of Coleraine over the weekend and had mixed results. I was up against the best girls left in the country, a lot of who are AIS or VIS scholarship holders. I was hoping for a top 5 finish in the GC, but wasn't sure how it would all go. The format of the tour was Saturday morning 9.6km time trial, Saturday afternoon 72km road race, Sunday morning 66km road race and Sunday afternoon criterium. I was most nervous about the time trial not having done any before and knowing all the elite girls would be on full time trial bikes and disc wheels. I was reasonably happy with my time trial only finishing about 2 mins behind the winner (Kathy Watt). I was looking forward to the road race that afternoon, but due to my own disorganisation I didn't have the best warm up and preparation and I suffered all afternoon on the bike. The bunch was split up on the first KOM and I ended up chasing with 4 other girls. Unfortunatly we didn't manage to close the gap and we finished 4mins behind the leaders. I won our group sprint and finished 9th or 10th overall. After having such a bad afternoon, I was feeling quite disappointed with the day. I was already 6mins behind the leader on GC and with not much chance on closing the gap. I made sure I had a good sleep and prepared myself for a better day of racing on Sunday. Sanday came and I was ready to go. I had a great warm up and was feeling really good. Most of the bunch stayed together for majority of the race. In the last 5km it became obvious that it was going to come down to a bunch sprint for whoever could hang on. I made sure I was on the right wheels and knew the VIS girls had a train going. We came around the final corner and I was in a pretty good position. I ended up coming 4th and got a small time bonus which I was happy with. Unfortunately it didn't change my GC position. I was still sitting around 11th. I was looking forward to the criterium, as it is one of my strengths. During the warm up my legs were starting to feel very heavy and tired. The overall GC was going to come down to the crit with time bonuses up for grabs, so it was going to be attack after attack. I managed to hold on with the lead girls and we dropped most of the field over the first 5 laps. We ended up lapping a number of them and with most finishing about 2 or so mins behind us. The race was frantic and I thought my legs were going to drop off. It came to a sprint finish with 7 of us to fight it out. I came 5th which I was really happy with. So overall, a mixed weekend. As tour racing goes it's unfortunate to have bad days where you loose time, but I have learnt heaps over the weekend. I finished around 8th on GC (results to be finalised and published). Bec.

On 28/4/08 Bec wrote: Since my last update, I have had a rest week with a couple light roller sessions thrown in and my first week of winter training. I enjoyed my rest week, although I found it hard not to feel guilty about not doing my usual 400km. The body enjoyed the rest and I found Sunday's race (19/4) really comfortable. I raced well at Glenvale. I sat in the bunch for the day and planned to save my effort for the final sprint. It paid off, I won the women's section and I placed somewhere in the top 10. This week has been spent on the Rollers everyday with 3 weight/strength sessions as well. I am really starting to feel the effects of my strength program and look forward to improving my overall strength in the coming months. It has been a little challenging fitting everything in this week, especially with the weather being so nice, training indoors at night isn't as mush fun as riding outdoors in the sun. But as the saying goes "You have to do, what you have to do". I am enrolling in a cycle skills course, which is the first step in getting my level 1 coaching qualification. The course is a full day course on May 11th. I look forward to getting a better understanding of cycling from a technical/coaching perspective.

On 17/7/08 Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, Sorry it has been a while since my last update. I have just arrived home from 3 weeks holiday/riding in France. We spent a week in the French alpes, where we rode most of the major climbs used in the Tour de France. We climbed Alpe d'Huez, Col de Telegraph, Col de Galibier, Les des Alpes, Mount Ventoux, we even did Aple d'Huez as a warm up on our way to climb Col der la Croix Fer. The weather was teriffic, a warm 35 most days. The mountains are incredible. Long, steep and beautiful. A lot of the mountains, still had snow on the top which made decending the 30 or 40km quite cold. There is nothing more satisfying than reaching the top after numerous hours of slogging it out at a max speed of 10km per hour. During our second week we were based at Arnaud's house in the south in a tiny village of only about 7 dwellings. We did alot of local rides through the surrounding villages. Towards the end of our stay there, Arnaud took us on a 125km ride around the provence. We came across the most incredible little villages and ate some of the best tasting pastries at cutest bakeries. Our third week was based just outside of Paris at a friends house. Again we did a few rides through surrounding vilages. On our last day in France we got up very early to drive to Paris and ride through the heart of Paris and up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. We finished at the Le Sacre Coeur over looking the whole of Paris. We were lucky enough to have chosen the day that the Champs-Élysées was closed to traffic because the army were practicing their marching and the choir their singing for Bastielle Day on the following Monday. So got to ride up the Champs-Élysées by ourselves being given the go ahead by an army member on each corner with the sound of music bouncing off the river. I wouldn't recommend riding in Paris in Peak hour as we did at the end of our trip. It is organised chaos, and really scary. But we managed to navigate our way home safe and sound. As for up and coming events, I am racing in the Club Team Time Trial Champs this weekend, just outside of Ballarat. My main focus though is on the Open State Champs in Ballarat in mid August. I plan on racing the Time Trial, Crit and the Road race, with my main hopes for success in the Crit and the road races. Training is resuming back to normal this week, after battling Jet lag and going back to work. Hope all is well with everyone. Bec

On 31/7/08 Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, Since coming 2nd at the Victorian Club Team TIme Trials in Ballarat a couple of weeks ago training has continued to be hard and fast in preparation for State Open Championships again in Ballarat in two weeks. I had a good race a Casey Fields last weekend, practicing a few things I have been focusing on in training. This weekend is a club 100km handicap race at Modella. Again it will be a tough race with the back markers breathing down your neck. Hope all is well with you, thank you again for your continued support. Bec.

On 18/8/08 Bec wrote - Well after a couple of good nights sleep I am starting to recover from a big weekend of racing. The Australian Cycling Grand Prix which included the State Open Championships went very well for me. I raced all three events, TIme Trial, Criterium and Road Race. The Time Trial went well, and I finished 8th overall (6th Victorian). It was a positive start and considering my short TT specific training I was pleased with the result. The next day was the Crit. The weather was looking like crashes would have been on the cards, but luckily by the time we had to race, it had cleared up and the roads were dry. In the field were all the big names left in the country. The National Crit champion and National TT champion took the road, as well as other Institute riders and the best what Victoria has to offer. I fought allday to stay with the main bunch after numerous girls got dropped early on. It was the toughest crit I have raced and the intermediate sprints made the pace ferocious. On the final lap there was 2 off the front and I was in the group fighting for 3rd. With about 500m to go, I made an attack down the inside, but ran out of legs and wasn't able to hold the chasing bunch off. I finished 9th overall and 5th Victorian. A very successful day of racing. The final race was 8 laps of a grueling 10km loop. It involved 3km of climbing every lap with sprint points and KOM points every second lap. I had heavy legs from the previous days racing, but I went in it and gave it my all. After getting dropped on the steepest part of the climb I spent the next 3km chasing the bunch. After getting back on and recovered a little, we went back up the hill again. And the vicious cycle continued. After 5 laps, I had nothing left in the tanks. I wobbled up the hill for the last time and called it quits. I was spent. It was great experience racing against some very strong competition and I have learnt a lot from the experience. I look forward to my next big events (bay crits and Nationals) which aren't until summer but lots of training needs to be done until then. Thank you again for all your support, Bec

On 31/8/08 Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, Since States I have had a rest week and a week back into training. I enjoyed my week off the bike, but work very quickly took up the extra time. I was due to race the Club Champs this weekend, but on Friday I came down with the cold that is floating around and put me in bed for the entire day yesterday. Today I am going into the VIS for testing to join the London 2012 and beyond program. Im not expecting too much, as I will be operating on about 1 lung and a congested nose! Its all good experience though. Once Im fighting fit, I will be back on the bike and back into training hard. I plan on racing in 2 weeks at Wangaratta in the High Country Challenge (crit and road races), but we will wait and see.
Hope all is well with you all, Bec

On 8/9/08 Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, With a couple of days off work, some sleep and drugs (legal of course)
I am over my cold and back into training. The VIS testing went pretty well last weekend. I did as best as I could given my health status. I have been put in the initial squad of riders for the talent ID program, which they will select about 5 or so riders in January who will be officially in the program. I went riding with some of the girls and Anna Wilson on Saturday morning. We headed out to Humevale, which we did SE up it. It was a good experience. I trained on Sunday with the usual gang which was good. It was great to be back on the bike and to get the legs ticking over again. I am getting back into hard training this week. I have had some responses from teams in the USA. Not too any have said thanks, but no thanks, which is encouraging. Most teams are looking at rosters for next year in the coming weeks, so it is still a waiting game. I resigned from work today (well took a years leave without pay). I will finish teaching at the end of the year, and spend next year either in the US or training full time here. Im desperate for it to be OS though. My principal was very understanding and dissappointed at the same time. Disappointed that I am leaving, but excited that he might be able to say one day "I know that girl". He is even paying me over the summer holidays, which is great. I will keep it quite at work for a little while yet, well at least until after the holidays. I will have my first race in a while this coming weekend at Crib Point, which I am looking forward to. Bec

On 14/9/08 Bec wrote - I had a full week on the bike this week after being sick. I did all my sessions during the week, raced yesterday and rode today. My race was uneventful, as I was suffering from severe lack of speed and race fitness. Today I felt reasonable, even with the gale force winds that greeted us for the duration of our 110km ride. Looking forward to school holidays and being able to get out on the bike during the day and do some km's. Hopefully it will be just what I need before the crit season starts up. Get the speed and sprint legs back. Hope you are all enjoying this warmer weather we are having, although the weather forecast doesn't look like it will last for long. Bec

On October 6 Bec wrote - Hi All, Today was my first day back at work after having a great 2 week holiday (well a holiday from the little kiddies). It was great getting out on the bike and doing some good kms and training. I think I managed to almost clock up 1000km for the two weeks. Results wise, I raced at the regional time trail championships 2 weekends ago up the 1in20. I did a 1.20PB (17.28) which I was happy with, but slightly disappointed with 3rd place overall (and 1st in the club champs). I thought if I could go mid 17 minutes I would have had a shot, but the winner did just under 17min. At least there has been some improvement. I also raced on Sunday at the first crit of the season at Glenvale. B grade had a strong field, and especially a good women's contingent. I felt physically good all race, which was a positive. This season my main focus is on race tactics, riding more towards the front, win the women's category and then mix it with the men. One step at a time I guess. I am racing the Amy Gillett Cup during next week in conjunction with the herald sun tour. A crit on Sunday in Taralgon, Mansfield to buller on thursday and the lygon crit on sat. Looking to get some good results on the board. I have a busy rest of the year coming up with the Amy Gillett cup, Doherty tour, tour of bright and club racing every other weekend. I am looking forward to what the future holds for me and my racing. Thank you again for your support, Shall see you soon! Bec

On October 22 Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, I have had a busy two weeks on and off the bike. I race the Amy Gillett Cup which ran in conjunction with the Herald Sun Tour. We had 3 stages during the week. I raced at Traralgon on the first Sunday of the tour. It was possibly one of the hardest races I have ever done. It was 35 degrees by the time we raced, a strong head wind into the home straight and to top things off a 200m 13% climb to conquer every lap. Physically I was right on the limit all race. I knew who would attack and where, but I just didn't have the horsepower to go with them. A lead bunch of 4 got away, in which the winer came from. I was racing in the B division (not quite sure why, I guess CSV didn't really bother to check out results), and with extra money being paid out, I still had a chance of winning my division. On the final lap I made a tactical error and let another B grader get a gap, that ultimately cost me the victory. I chased solo, but left my run too late and finished a couple of bike lengths behind her. I managed to come 7th overall, and 2nd in B grade. I was a bit disappointed with the results,but at least I managed to beast 3/4 of the A grade field. The second race of the series was last Thursday, the accent from Mansfield to Mt Buller. I can sum up this race in 5 words. "The worst of my life!" My heart rate was unusually high (close to 90%) on the ride out (which was a nice easy talking pace), and as soon as we started to climb, that was it. I was off the back and in for a character building 16 km solo ride. It was hot and I felt terrible. Plus the added psychological trauma of knowing there was women up the road who... well shouldn't be. I managed to get to the top in a unpretty state. After the race I was seriously rethinking my ability to cycle and my decision to go full time next year. The poor result hit me really hard and knock back my confidence significantly. With only a day to recover physically and mentally, I was back racing the final stage of the Cup at Lygon Street. I was particularly nervous, because of my results in the previous race and I knew the stacks were higher (a larger and more quality field, with alot of spectators). I had a good warm up and prepared well. Again I knew who to watch, who was working together and were the attacks most likely going to happen. For the first 15 or so minutes the pace was fairly high. Alot of B graders got dropped early, which left left a main field of about 20 going around. There were a few attacks but they were brought back quickly. Finally one break went clear which included 5 girls (all A graders)They were the most well known and the one expected to do well. I was unable to get onto the break, and my chances of an overall win went up the road. I road the rest of the race with the remaining 15 A and B graders. The pace was high and the hotdog corners were starting to take its toll on my legs. On the final lap, I roughly knew who to watch. The same lady who beat me in Traralgon tried the same move, but this time I was ready and covered it. We got around the final coner and I was sitting 5th Wheel. We had about 400m to go. The four in front sat up and started to look at each other wondering who would go first. I saw this and attacked up the inside. It was very early, but I knew if I could get a gap, I would have a pretty good chance of holding them off. As a result only the girl on my wheel managed to come with me and in the end I won the bunch kick. This was a good sign for me, that although I didn't get the break, I attacked instinctively and even managed to use my gears in the sprint, I raced smart (minus missing the break). I got 6th overall and 1st B grade. It was a confidence booster and helped to restore my faith in my ability. That is the long winded version of my racing over the past week or so. Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday, Bec

On 2 Nov Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, I have had a good week of training and racing. I raced the first summer crit at Kew on Wednesday night. I had a really great race, possibly the best one I've had there. I was on the front all night, and felt really strong. I got 1st women and 3rd overall. I got piped for 2nd in a bike throw. I raced today at Glenvale, and again was having a good race. I was in the right spot for the last 20 mins of the race and especially with 3 laps to go. On the 3rd last corner of the race, there was again another crash, bringing down at least 8 riders and 2 of our own. I was on Bob's wheel ready for the sprint, when he went down. The only option I had was the gutter, and at 40km/ hr its not a great option. I went into automatic mode and somehow managed to completely bunny hop over the gutter, navigate my way through trees and stopped safely. Not a scratch. I will have to thank Matty F for insisting that I learn to ride like him and be able to bunny hop gutters! It saved me from a very bad situation. So overall a really good week on and off the bike. I feel like things are starting to come together. I have the Doherty Tour coming up in to weeks, which will be another challenge. Thankyou again for all your support and generosity. See you all soon, Bec

 

On 20/11/08 Bec wrote - Hi Everyone, I have been racing recently at Glenvale, Kew Boulevard and I competed in the Great Doherty Tour on the weekend. I have been having mixed results at Glenvale, finishing in the bunch,but just outside of placing, when not being caught up in crashes. Kew has been going really well with consistent wins in the womens placings and in the top 5 or so overall. The Doherty Tour was a points based tour and consisted of 3 stages over the two days. A time trial up the 1 in20 on the Saturday morning, a 60km road
race at Yarra Glen in the afternoon, and a crit in Thomastown on Sunday morning. I placed 2nd in the TT and the road race and 1st in the crit. This gave me enough points to secure the overall GC in B grade women. The next couple of months are very busy. The Tour of Bright is on the 6th and 7th December, with the National Crit Champs in Sydney the following weekend. Then its finish work,training camp for bay crits, christmas, bay crits and national road champs. A big few months approaching, but am excited about how it will all unfold. Thankyou again for your support, Bec

 

On 8 Jan 09 bec wrote - Hi Everyone, Well it's been two days since the Bay Crits have finished and I have had time to recover and reflect. I must first off thank you for your support and backing the gani/CBD/Chartermason team. Without you it would have been impossible for me to have had the incredible experience that I did and achieve the results that I did. This was my first Bay Crit experience and huge learning curve. It was filled with mixed results both team and individual, but overall I found it a very positive experience. Race 1 - Williamstown. I had been ready for the first race for about a month. I was prepared and ready to go. I knew that a good start would be crucial as we hit the well known round about only about 150m from the start line. Laura and I were the designated riders to take the position on the start line, which gave us a great opportunity for success. I was feeling good for the first part of the race until a puncture disrupted my rhythm. I got back into the race, but found myself at the back of the lead group. As we went around the round about an attack went off the front as I was going around, which broke our group up. I chased for a couple of laps to get back on, but made very little ground. I decided that that was enough and I should prepare for the next race. Race 2 - Eastern Park Long Course. This stage was a long and not so technical course. With no tight corners it was destined to come down to a bunch sprint. I had good positioning on the last lap, but on the final climb I found myself taking the long way round and lost my good positioning. I finished with a top 20 result, which was an improvement on the previous day but still not the result I was searching for. Race 3 - Eastern Park Short Course. This was going to be a tough stage, with the very tight first corner, and the climb up to the finishing straight. Again excellent position on the start line was going to be crucial, but our team was called up last. The gun went and by the time I was clipped in and rolling off the start line, the leading girls were around the first corner. From there I was playing catch up. I was in the 2nd group of about 15 chasing the lead group of 10. A crash caused a restart and 10mins later we were off again. I thought the restart was just what I needed to get back up with the lead riders, but the worst start meant I was chasing again. I lasted only another 5 or so laps, before we got the red flag. I was really disappointed with this race, as the course suited me. But an important lesson was learnt. Be aggressive and push your way to the front of the start line! Race 4 - Portalington. Renowned for being the toughest race of the series. I was feeling a little tired during the morning, so decided to have a nap after breakfast. We rode the 30km out to the race, which I felt pretty good. I was prepared for the start and had good positioning. I started behind the yellow jersey and got off to a flyer. As we went around the circuit the climb started to take its toll and I found myself left with the remaining 20 riders. An attack went around the 35min mark, which I didn't have the legs to go with it. It broke the race into 2 groups of 10. The lead bunch of 10 had all the big names and the yellow jersey. I was in the chasing 10. We got the bell on one lap to go, and I thought that I would have a pretty good shot if it came down to a bunch kick. Unfortunately the lead group crashed on the 2nd last corner, which meant we got the red flag. A very disappointing way to end the race. Race 5 - Eastern Beach. I went for an early morning ride, and the legs felt very heavy! Not surprising after doing 30 hill sprints the day before. I knew the course suited me, but again I knew the start would be crucial and that the race would break up very quickly. I got the start I wanted, but managed to be caught up in 3 crashes during thefirst 35minutes. By the 35min mark there was only 20 riders left to battle it out. I had really good positioning on the last lap, but came around the last corner a little too far behind. I sprinted and made up
a few positions and claimed 10th. My first points for the series and the first team points. I was really happy with the result. So at the end of the series I finished with 2 top 20's, 10th and Equal 17th on GC. It was a great experience and I can't wait to tackle it agin next year with a full year of full time training and racing under my belt. I hope for podium finishes and top 5 on GC. I am heading off to Ballarat tomorrow lunch time for the National Road Champs on Saturday. I will take a good set of legs and more experience that this time last week and give it my best shot! Will keep you posted. Thankyou again for all you support. It was great to see most of you down there at some stage.

 

On Feb 6 '09 Bec wrote - The fast month has been very busy with racing and training. I have settled into full time athlete mode very easily. Training and racing is going well and having the time to fully recover between sessions has made the world of difference. My training load and intensity have increased and I worked out that I actually spend the same amount of time on the bike as I was in the classroom teaching last year! So it is really a full time job! I have been racing club races every week. I have been riding solidly at Glenvale and over the past few weeks and have really improved my positioning in the bunch and giving myself the best possible chance for the final laps. I won first women in B grade last week and placed about 8th overall. February is a very busy and big racing month for me. I have the Oceania RR Champs in Portarlington on the 14th Feb. I hope to do well and gain valuable experience. I have also managed to get myself onto a team for the Tour of Wellington (UCI 2.2 race) and the Wellington World Cup Race (UCI 1.1 race). I fly out to Wellington on the 23rd of Feb. The Tour is a 3 day tour starting on Wednesday 25th and the World Cup Race in a one day race on the Sunday March 1st. These will be the biggest and I dare say the most difficult races I have done, so it will be a good starting point to see what level Im at and where I need to go. I am really excited about these pportunities to race overseas against world class fields.

 

On March 2 Bec wrote - Well I have just finished a very big 2 weeks of racing. Oceanias went well. A solo effort from Alexis Rhodes upset a bunch sprint for victory, but the bunch stayed together for 2nd. I managed to stay up near the front for the finish but lost position in the bunch just a 1km out. I fought to get back up to the front and finished 16th in the bunch kick. I was reasonably happy with ride and I felt good on the climbs. I was making up ground on the climbs, as opposed to me often loosing ground as the ground starts to go vertical. I found training on the course earlier that week made a huge difference in being ready for the event. The next race on the calendar was the Tour of NZ and the International Cup. I flew out to Wellington last Monday 23rd Feb. I arrived at the airport and boarded a bus to head to Masterton about and hour and a half where we would be based for the week of racing. We were being billeted out and I was very lucky to have a fantastic host family who made me feel so welcome and at home. It made my first experience racing away from home that more positive. I was staying with 2 other team members and our team manager. The other 2 members of my team were staying down the road with the mayor. I put the bike together on tuesday and went for a ride over part of
the stage 3 course. It was good to get the legs spinning and I felt pretty good after a big day of travel.

Tour of NZ

Stage 1 -127km: The course was a generally a "flat" course (the kiwis have a funny idea of flat) heading out of town to complete 3 laps of a 30km circuit. There was one climb on the circuit with KOM points and a sprint. We figured that it was more than likely to come to a bunch sprint with the Aus National team and MB cycles team trying to set the race up for their sprinters. I was in a team with Chloe Hoskings (an u23 rider with a very impressive kick). So the aim was to set her up for the win. During the first lap of the circuit I crashed as we
climbed one of the hills heading out to the KOM. I was brought down by the rider next to me who lost control after riding up the back of the rider in front of her. I flipped over the handle bars, but lucky enough to be relatively unhurt. I had a flat front tyre and dropped my chain. The mechanics were very quick to get me back up and running, but then the chase began. I was lucky enough my team car was Car No 1 and saw the accident happen and was able to pull over immediately. I was then motor paced back to the back of the convoy at 70km/hr for the next 4km. Once reaching the convoy I made my way through the trucks and cars and rejoined the peloton. The rest of the race was reasonable uneventful with attacks being shut down very quickly. The run home was very fast and the sprinters teams were working to get their riders over the line. The last 1km was a technical finish and I managed to finish in the bunch and finishing 30th. Our sprinter Chloe finished 2nd and was the U23 White Jersey leader. A great result for the team. Stage 2 - 122km: Again another so called flat course with the KOM at the top of the previous days climb, but in reverse and a couple of sprints. Again we figured it would come down to bunch sprint, but today we went in with team tactics. We had to defend the U23 Jersey
and try to set Chloe up for the win. My job was simple, feed and look after Chloe during the race and with 3km to go be on the front and drive the race and prevent other teams swamping us in the finish. Another team member was to attack at the 80km mark. She managed to get away and claim some sprint points but was reeled in with about 20km to go. THe plan was going well. I was learning the skill of feeding from the convoy quickly and making numerous trips through the bunch to feed our lead rider. With 3km to go I was on the front, giving the race everything I had left. I was in the hurt box, with my lungs and legs burning. As we entered the final corner for the sprint, Chloe was in a great position and my job was done, I pulled off and watched her
sprint to 2nd again and hold onto the U23 White Jersey. I finished in the bunch around 26th. Stage 3 - 125km: The penultimate day. A day for the climbers. With a course profile like an ECG it was going to be a very hard day in the saddle. I knew I wasn't going to be able to contest the overall GC and mix it with the climbers on the steep gradients of the final 20km. The aim was to get to the last 20km within the time cut and with the bunch. I achieved this but it was no easy task. We went up and down all day. I got dropped on one of the climbs at about the 60km mark, but worked with 5 other riders to pull back the lead bunch. I have never been so happy to see a line of slow moving cars before. The last 20km of the race included a climb called 'the wall' and a hill top finish on top Admiral Hill (about 15km of the last 20 was up). I got to 'the wall' and thats when the race broke up. The climbers went off the front and everyone else went into survival mode. I went over the top with 4 other girls and we worked really hard to catch the group in front of us which included Rochelle Gilmore. We were riding at speeds over 50kms at an hour and to our surprise made up no ground. We reach the bottom of Admiral Hill well within the time cut. We had 10km to go. I was feeling pretty good at this stage. I drove my bunch up the climb, which was similar to the 1 in 20 back here. with 2km to go we caught and passed the bunch we were chasing. As we approached the finish I was allowed to ride off the front of our group and finished with a time gap over the girls I had shared a very tough last 20km with. It was nice to be repaid for doing all the work. I finished
12minutes behind the winner, but I was very glad to be finished and to have completed my first UCI tour.


International Cup UCI 1.1
The International Cup race was held in the streets of Masterton. It was a 8.5km circuit with us having to compete 14 laps. The last 2km was technical and very fast. Again, a bunch sprint was predicted as we
knew the Aus Team was aiming to set Rochelle Gilmore up with the victory. With our team depleted of numbers it was left up to 3 of us to work and try to help Chloe for the win. The game plan was simple, I was to feed the team, especially look after Chloe and with about 1.5km to go I was to attack and either create confusion and to make others chase and drag Chloe along. I wasn't feeling comfortable all day. It was like a large crit and the constant trip up and down the peloton for feeding and passing on info was taking its toll. I was staying
comfortably in the bunch and keeping an eye on things, but had no thoughts of attacking. Breaks were unsuccessful and a bunch kick was destined. As we approached the 2nd last corner I got a great line and
came out in 5th wheel. But MB cycles was on the front and they had one rider 20m up the road with 1.5km to go. I knew I had to get on the front and chase to close the gap before the final corner if Chloe was
going to have a chance for the bunch kick. I dug deep and chased hard. We were strung out and I caught Lauren Kitchen with about 500m to go. I was totally spent, as I pulled off and tried to hold my position
towards the front, I was swamped and over run by the peloton. As I crossed the line I could see what looked liked Chloe celebrating and as I rode passed the commentators announced that an upset had occurred
and Chole had won! It was one of the most happiest races I have ever ridden. I finished 43rd but the overall victory was so sweet! I did my job and we won! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Chloe mentioned
that work I had done throughout the race and especially in the last 1km when interview on the podium. I was stoked for her and the team. It was a great way to finish my first overseas racing experience. I have been on a huge learning experience over the past week. Here is a list of things I have learnt or experienced: The hardest racing I have ever done The longest stage race I have ever completed Crashing and having to use the convoy to chase Feeding from a car Carrying 6 extra bottle in my jersey to feed my team The meaning of team and team racing The feeling of contributing to someone else's success Riding against and International field (UCI 2.2 but a great place to start) The importance of recovery Not letting athletes with a 'name' push you around
That Kiwis say Ay at the end of everything The NZ roads are not flat and smooth despite them thinking so

I had an absolute ball and I cant wait to race again, well at least after a bit more sleep. Next on the Calendar in Bendigo International Crit on Friday night, and then the Tour of Southern Grampians and Mersey Valley (Tasmania) in April. So lots coming up...

 

On 30 March Bec wrote - Im sure your well aware by bow that the State Crit champs for juniors and masters were held in Castlemain over the weekend. In conjunction with the State Chaps there was an Elite race held as well (although not our State Champs). It was a relatively small field of about 14 or so girls. Helen and I teamed up to tackle our main opposition of the new RACE women's team. The main objective was one of us had to win.
The games plan was simple keep attacking and make them chase until one of us was successful is getting away. In the end Helen's attack was the successful one and with me sitting in and making RACE chase all day she was able to get around and lap the field. Once she rejoined the remaining 6 riders, she continued to help me by increasing the speed which by this stage was really hurting the legs of the girls who had done all the chasing so far. I was still able to sit in and try to attack when the opportunity arose. In the end I went around the final corner in 3rd position and that was where I finished. Overall a very successful day out, and team tactics worked a treat. The only thing that could have gone better was a 1 2, and me not crashing (took the corner way too fast and slid put - got back in with 99.9% of my skin still intact).

 

 

 

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On 25/3/08 Clare wrote - I would like to say that I had a great weekend racing. On Saturday the team and I raced a crit at Greely. It was windy and had a false rise in it. I though this course and the conditions would be perfect to break away. Cari, Leda, one other rider and myself broke away early into the race and about 2 laps to go Leda took off and got first place while Cari and I sprinted for second and third. Sundays crit in Boulder had a much stronger field. Mara Abbot (team HighRoad), Tiffany Cronwel (Colavita), (Bob,George, remember her in last years Gelong tour)? and other pros from Cheerwine and Webcor. It was a great race and I felt good. I attacked about 4 times and closed down any breaks. The last attack I made was at 8 laps to go and I stayed away for 4 laps, at 2 laps to go I took the front and led out my team mate Cari who is our major sprinter/crit rider and got second place. After the race I went out training in the mountains and tried to do some efforts. I was in denial that I had nothing left in me, and killed myself climbing this 6 mile climb. All up, it was an eventful weekend and am pleased with how I'm racing.

On 3/4/08 Clare wrote - I've had a very great weekend down at Tucson. The team and I raced the Tucson Bicycle Classic with good results. It was a three day stage race with a up hill TT, 100k RR and a 56k circuit race. I got 8th in the TT and was not happy with that result. The RR was hilly and windy, my team mate broke away and I got on the chasing group of two girls and myself. I was not going to chase down my team mate so I sat on while they chased and controlled the group so my team mate stayed away. I waited for the sprint and got second and my team mate got first. This brought my team mate 1st GC and myself at 3rd GC. I needed 35 seconds to get to 2nd GC. The circuit race the same team mate and I broke away after the third lap which was a time bonus lap of 15sec for first which my team set me up to win, which I did then we realized tha we got into break and stayed away for the rest of the seven lap race. I won the stage and got 2nd GC. I felt awesome that the team and I were able to control this race through communication and team work to get a 1st, 2nd, 5th and 11th overall. This weekend we are off to Wisconsin, which is covered in snow, for our team photo shoot.

On 28/4/08 clare wrote: Hi there The last two weeks have been an epic two week. My road bike is totally trashed, I was riding back fast from a 150K ride when I changed gears and my duraler got caught in in my spokes in my rear wheel (which made the wheel oblong) and it broke my duraler off and bent my duraler hanger up and into the cassette. I doesn't sound bad, right? Well the Trek Madone's duraler hanger is integrated into the frame, even if it was bent back into its right position, the carbon would be so fragile it would just crack off! So the the whole frame was shipped back to the Trek factory in Wisconsin to get fixed. So for the last two week I have been riding around on a MTN bike and I got to say its hard work training on that thing! I have ridden on some single tracks and some rocky technical tracks, it is so fun Im thinking when I get back to OZ I would like to give MTN biking a shot. Today I got the chance to ride on the 7 Eleven Velodrome at Colorado Springs. Its a 333 meter outdoor track with a roaring head wind going around the front straight. I had a great day training and I've got some pictures for you of the day. Back to my road bike, it is getting fixed and I should be getting it back on Friday so I can race this Saturday. Next week is Gila which is a five day stage race. Im having concerns about it and my training preparation for it because I have been training on a MTN bike. I am going to give it all I got and see how I go. Keeping you in the know ....Clare

On 12/5/08 clare wrote: Well i did it! I finished the tour of Gila. I would have to say it was the most difficult bike race I have ever done. There was a lot of drama going on if I was or not going to get my bike back on time from the trek factory in Wisconsin. But with alot of praying it was sent to Gila Bike and Hike to be assembled and ready to go the day before the race. On the first stage before the race I found Bob and it was really nice to see a familiar face and for it to be my coaches (Believe it or not)! Bob gave me a few words of encouragement before the race because I was unsure of my form because I didn't have a road bike to train on for past three weeks. Stage one, 117.6K. Every one was conserving their energy for the big climb at the end of the race. There were two close calls of crashing that day. The first was probably 20k's into the race, it forced me to ride off the road and into a grass ditch! Good thing I was training on a mtn bike for past few weeks that I had the skills to hold it together and ride back into the race. The second crash happened during an attack going up hill. Wheels overlapped and riders came down, one of them crashed right in front of me, I heard her her helmet crack and I missed riding over her head by an inch! It was scary! The climb had alot of switch backs so every turn I was hoping that it was over but was demoralized to see that the road kept going up hill. I made it to the top hyperventilating, it was a mixture of the climb and the high altitude that caused it. It wasn't the first time this has happened to me so I didn't panic and relaxed till my breathing came back. Second stage,125.4K. Now the race has started! It was tough. I started the race felling tiered and my legs were heavy. I stayed with the pack till we came to the first climb and I blew up. I spent the rest of the race alone riding into a 45mile wind and hoping to make time cut because the next stage was a TT so I knew I can have one more day of racing. Stage three, 26K TT. What can I say? I went hard and fast. The course went Up hill then the turn around went down hill. It would of been a better experience on the down hill part if I had bigger gears. I think I was spinning out at 145rpm going down with 53-12 gears. Stage four was the crit, crits are what i like most. I was feeling good until I cramped! I had to keep going though, if I pulled myself out of the race that was the end of the tour for me. I spoke to Bob and my DS of what happened and the reason behind it was that I kept drinking water after the stages and not keeping my electrolytes up. One big lesson learned. Stage five, the Gila monster road race, 115.5K. That says it all. I did, however, think I raced well. I did get dropped twice but chased to get back on and move up to the front. There was a moment that I got into a break but that was short lived because Rachelle Heal (one of the top GC riders) was in it and no one was going to let her get away! Once the pack reached the last climb the pack broke up. I was glad to see the finish line at the end of that climb and felt good that I have accomplished a five stage race. I did have fun, besides the punishing pain, and enjoyed stage racing. Clare

On 26/7/08 Clare wrote - Sorry I haven't kept you up informed of my racing for the passed few months but I would like to say that the end of my season finished off just the way it started, with a nice crash. If you remember, I crashed in a huge pile up during the last lap of the Sequoia crit in March. This time it was during Superweek on the first stage. I crashed pretty bad, I remember falling and landing on my shoulder and my head bouncing on the road. I hit the road so hard that the lenses of my glasses popped out. I got up and finished the race in pain and then cleaned up my road rash. I was not feeling well, I checked my helmet and realised it was cracked in half! I tried to race the next day but it was not a good idea. I had a concussion and felt nauseous, so for the next few days I was playing the director sportif for the girls and got one of the girls third on the podium. I raced on the last day of superweek and I think I went out too hard, I had no team to counter attack any attacks that were made so I was making all the moves and blew up. I should have sat in the pack and waited for the finish but I really wanted to be in a break but was hard to with no support. Right now Im resting no more training or racing till I come back home. I have to say that Im enjoying the rest and cant wait to come back home. Speak soon. Clare

On 7/8/08 Clare wrote - Hello all! I thought that i will give you all a heads up on my time off the bike. I have been staying with my sister and brother in law just south of Hilo, Hawaii. I have been doing a little riding on my brothers mountain bike and hitting the track down here, nothing to hilly, technical or long, just riding and looking at the scenery. Clare

 

On 15 Jan 09 Clare wrote - I would like to start by thanking all the sponsors for putting their time, money and
effort into putting together a team for the Bay Crits. I appreciate all the work you all the work you have put into it and Im very grateful. My week for the Bay Crits did not go the way I would have liked it. I had a scratchy
through the week before the Bay Crits and thought nothing of it until the day before the first stage. I raced the first stage and felt like my head was going to explode and my throat was on fire. So I couldn't race for the rest of the week. I did try to race on the last day but I waspushing it and was in no condition to race. What I
learnt from this is that I need to be in top form so I could be able to give it 110% The following Saturday I raced the National Road Race, I felt good at the start but unfortunately my speedometer sensor slipped down my fork and started hitting my spokes and getting caught up in my wheel so I had to slow down just before the KOM.
It slipped because I moved it around to fit the timing transponder because it had to be on the placed on the fork at a particular aria. I chased but used up all my matches. I lasted for six laps till I was cut, I didn't want to quit the race because it would have made me feel worse. I raced Kew boulevard on Wednesday and came second woman and I raced at DISC and came 5th in the scratch, 5th in the points and 3rd in the motor pace. Im trying to become a better track rider so racing Thursday nights will help me with understanding how to race track and developing more speed. I have the Wangaratta sports carnival and CBD criterium coming up next and I will
keep you posted.

 

On March 8 Clare wrote - Hello all! Here is my race report of the tour of Wellington! My team consisted of three riders Fiona Maede, Fiona Spargo and myself. There was no team strategies as they had no experience and we all raced for ourselves. Our team manager was Fiona Spargo's husband, David and he was just filling in as the manager. Day 1. Today's course was flat with a climb in it and was about 127Km's in distance. I thought I would use this day to try and be involved in getting some sprint points. There were three intermediate sprints then the a sprint at the finish. For each sprint I had to use other teams to get to the front and into a good position and try and go for the points. For each sprint I kept on getting fifth so no points for me. At about the 20km mark I was involved in trying to get into a break, I followed a attack but the girls weren't willing to work, since I had no
back up because there were only three of us in the team I played is safe went back in the group and waited for the final sprint. At the 1k mark I was moving up really fast trying to get into a better position, at 500m there was a left hand turn which I didn't know about so I lost a few places all the while two riders of the Australian National team crashed into each other right in front of me so I had to manoeuvre around them and got 28th place. Im pleased with my result as I really felt I put myself out there and gave it a shot with the sprint points.
Day 2. Today's race was rolling roads and about 120 Km's in distance. Since I didn't get any points for the sprint I thought I would conserve my energy for the final sprint. Today's race was really fast, there were attacks going left, right and centre. A few riders did get away but were quickly brought back. By the 20km mark I was feeling my legs start to feel very heavy, I was thinking "this is not good" so by the 1 km mark I had to bring myself up the front and felt my legs burning, around that corner at 500m mark I heard a pop and it was me, I exploded. I got 34th placing. Day 3. Today's race was about 125Km's with mountains. This was not my day. All Im going to say is that 40km left of the race I got dropped. I couldn't back it up from the last two days. On the good side, my team mate got 6th on that stage and very happy for her. Day 4. Day off Day 5. UCI circuit race, 18 laps, 119km's of flat terrain. Today I started this race feeling nervous as I did not do so well on the third day of the tour so I felt a little apprehensive too. I started off strong and followed wheels and stayed up the front as much as possible to get the nerves out of my legs. At three laps to go, I stayed in and waited for the the last lap, around the last corner I found myself up the front and went for the sprint at the finish and came in 10th. Im really happy with my result and feel my sprint is coming along.

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On 3/4/08 Oli wrote - I returned from Sydney on Monday after the Australian junior track champs, while up there I raced the teams pursuit, individual pursuit and teams sprint. The team arrived in Sydney early on Tuesday and after putting our bikes together we had a good session on the track, in this I just did an easy effort with the team pursuit team trying to get used to the track and practising our turns. We had another session on Wednesday were we did two efforts a 1.5km flyer and a 2 lap standing start just to open up our lungs. Thursday was race day for the team pursuit; we had been training hard for this for a month or so and were really looking forward to it. After a good race we qualified 3rd just 0.2 of a second of making the gold medal ride off! We re-grouped for the final and still managed to get third! Then on Friday I had the individual pursuit, I had a great warm up and was really pumped. This was probably the best pursuit I have ever ridden as I kept to my schedule really well and powered home at the end to record a Pb of 2:27.077 for 2km. I finished 6th overall and about 5 seconds off the winner’s time, but more importantly 2nd Victorian improving on 4th at state champs!! With this result I have also been invited to a training camp held in conjunction with the junior worlds team for a week up in Sydney from the 24 of April on. My final race for the week was the team sprint on the Saturday, I had only been put in this the night before so I was extremely nervous but we had a good race finishing 6th overall which was respectable for a bit of a mish-mash team of endures!! Now I have a two-week break just relaxing and not really touching the bike (I will still race Glenvale this Sunday). Id like to thank Everone for their help this summer as I could not have achieved these results with out you! Cheers Oli .

On 13/4/08 Oli wrote - Since I last wrote to you I haven’t been doing much riding at all having just raced Glenvale last Sunday and today. Last Sunday the team had a big turn out in B grade with about 7 of us rocking up. It was the first B grade race for Bec and Ben and I were assigned the task of looking after her for the race and trying to lead her out for the sprint to get top 3 in the women. Unfortunately that didn’t come off as there was a crash on the second last corner, just as the three of us were coming around the bunch, that Ben and I just missed while poor Bec’s back wheel was clipped by another bike which sent her over the handles bars and into the kerb! Luckily she came out of it with no injuries and only very minimal scratches. Apart from the crash on the last lap it was a good, fast race and Bec raced extremely well to stay with the bunch in what was her first b grade race. During last week the only training I did was my core strength exercises and relaxing!! Then today I rocked up to a cold a gloomy Glenvale with a rather small field of more like 40 – 50. Since a lot of the team is away doing the tour of the southern Grampians this weekend I didn’t have any particular goal and just raced for fun! I found it extremely tough after no cardio work this week and both my lungs and legs were burning for most of the race. Now I’m slowly getting back into training and with no big races till June and then the bulk of them in July Iv got plenty of time to get some endurance and even get some climb legs back.

On 30/4/08 Oli wrote - Well what a crazy week it has been since I last wrote to you. It started last Wednesday when I competed in the Australian School Cycling Cup as part of the Melbourne High School team with Dan and Jamie. It was a great day with around 250 students rocking up to race, which for many was their first time, around Kew Boulevard. I had a good day placing 9th in the TT about 30 seconds down on the winner, 3rd in my road race also picking up 2 KOM sprints and one Points sprint and second in the Team TT with Dan and Jamie. It was also a great day for the team as we one the KOM and Sprint jerseys while Matt and Ben's team picked up the GC. Great day for the boys!! That night I was getting ready for my week long development camp with the Aussie Junior team which is off to worlds in July, I was lucky enough to be invited on this, along with 5 other under 17s, following my results at nationals. I had an early rise to get to the airport in the morning and arrived in Sydney around 9.30. After being picked up at the airport and dropping are bags off at the motel the 6 of us U/17 boys (ocieana development squad 08) went to the velodrome to build are bikes and go for a light 40km ride. That night we went out to dinner with the entire junior worlds team. We were up early on Friday for breakfast before riding to the velodrome for a double track session. This may have been one of the hardest training sessions I have ever done! After a warm up on the track we had 5 flying 5km team pursuit efforts then 5 standing 1km team pursuit efforts. After lunch we were back on the track for a points race session in which we rolled around the top of the velodrome and sprinted for a lap followed by around 6 laps recovery and another sprint, this went on for around an hour!! Then after packing up we headed off for our ride home (A nice HILLY 25km). After Dinner us under 17s went back to Gary Suttons to meet up with the older kids who were having a meeting, which we just sat in on and observed. We were up early again on Saturday for an 80km road ride around a national park south of Sydney, this was a great ride that I really suffered on, as it was very hilly and I still don't have the road kms in the legs at this time of year. After this we had lunch at Suttos house and then in the arvo we headed off for a local club race, a handicap around a hilly 4km circuit! I suffered lots in this race after the mornings ride and dropped off my bunch after about 2 of the 8 lap but continued to chase and got finally detached from the group on the long uphill section 3 laps later after enjoining them 2 times. I did manage to finish the race being passed by only 3 other groups including the scratch group driven by the U19 team pursuit team!! Again it was an early rise on Sunday for breakfast and another double track session. So after riding there and having a bit of a stretch we were on the track again to do the same session as Friday just with reduced numbers due to illness and injury, sorer legs and a faster schedule to ride to! I found this session incredibly hard and in many cases fighting just to hold the wheel in the closing laps! But I held in there and did the "team thing" pulling my turns strong and not slowing the team down! (The point of the camp was to develop riders as good "team" riders in TPs). Our last day of riding was on Monday with another track session however this was only a single one but it defiantly wasn’t any easier! We started off again with the team pursuit efforts followed by some more standing km efforts but this time we were going all out in the! Km efforts doing two 1:06s and a 1:04, which for a bunch of u17 riding larger than normal gearing is really good! Tuesday we finally got a sleep in and after saying good bye to Sutto, who was driving up to merimbula with all the bikes of the 19s who were competing at nationals this coming weekend, we just relaxed all day and even went to a shopping centre to have some fun! It was a great week of training and although I suffered a lot I got so much out of it and I think I have come out of it so much stronger, tougher and more determined than ever! Now for me it’s back to normal school life Cheers Oli

On 20/5/08 Oli wrote - Hey all Just thought id drop you a quick note. Since getting back from Sydney 3 weeks ago I have got back into training and school well although I have been trying to catch up a bit with school having missed a week. I raced out at Phillip island two weekends ago felt pretty good and had perfect position coming into the finish in second wheel and just as everyone behind me began to kick I went but did have any gas left in the legs and got swamped by a couple of the older blokes finishing about 7th or 8th. that Monday to Wednesday I was home sick and didn't do any training managed to do some school work in between sleeping but wasn't feeling all that crash hot! had a ride on Thursday just and easy 25km spin to see how the legs were going. I was up early on Saturday for the Metro road champs out in Castlemaine. got out there at about 9 for an 11 o'clock start in very wet and cold conditions, I think it reached a max of about 8 degrees! and was raining for some of the race. It was a good race with Matty and myself both having goes out the front. With 9km to go I went for a attack and got away and put about 20 seconds into them quite quickly as I was coming into the hills just before the finish I was holding them off all right but near the top of the last climb I started cramping a bit in my hammy. got over the hill with about 10 seconds on the bunch but it wasn't to be as with 150 meters to go they caught me. Hopefully next time it can be successful but hey that's bike racing for you! Schools been real busy at the moment with heaps of projects and teachers hunting us down to get them completed before exams in two and a half weeks. up and coming races are a club race this weekend and then Ararat Junior Tour on the 31-1st June which I'm looking forward to as its the first open for the road season. Not aiming to high for this just see how I go really looking to go well in some bigger races later in the season. that's all for now. Regards Oliver

On 3/6/08 Oli wrote - Hi all Been busy lately with school just tying everything up before exams and revising. But on top of everything now, I have exams coming up in the next week with 3 on Friday then another 3 next Tuesday and the final 2 next Thursday. Training has been great, started weight training a couple of weeks back and that's good. Other than that been doing a couple of bunch rides with 1 Wind trainer session a week and some longer rides or races. I raced down I crib point on the 24th, was a very flat 70km race around a 8km circuit. Raced well, was a team effort just learning how to race as a team, each taking turns to put are-selves in the brakes while the others rested and stayed watchful of other breaks going up the road. In the end the race was forfeited because people were riding over double white lines and it was deemed unsafe. However this was only done after the finish, I placed 4th in the bunch sprint. Then last weekend Dan, Matt, Jamie, Eric, Harry and I were up in Ararat for the Ararat junior tour. I finished 10th in the TT in 15.17 over 10km. I was 15seconds off second with the winner ( a S.A kid) finishing over a minute ahead. I a quite happy with this because I did not use aero bars and no one who beat me wasn't using them so this would make a difference so that is one positive to take away from the weekend. Other than that I dropped my chain in the road race after 5km and lost contact with the bunch. I chased along with 4 others for 20km but we only got within 50m of the bunch before someone went on the attack and off they went. After the road race my left knee pulled up really sore for in dropping my chain while jumping out of the corner I whacked it on the handlebars and bruised it badly. I wasn't able to ride probably on it on Sunday morning riding out to the race so didn't start but cheered on the rest for a couple of hours. My next race is future stars at Revolution 3, at Vodafone on the 12th. After that I have a couple of tours in late June -early July then states at the end of July were I hope to finish well. Cheers Oli

On 25/6/08 Oli wrote - Hi All Recovered from my sore knee and fully back into training and racing. On the weekend I was racing up in Shepparton taking part in the Shepparton junior tour. I didn't have high expectations considering I was only coming off one week of full training. The results however were very positive. In the first road race, three 15km laps of a flat loop, the race split up on the last lap leaving a front bunch of about 10 riders after a very fast section chasing a break away. Coming into the finish with 700m to go there were two riders just off the front and I was in third wheel on the outside. after the two were caught, As the sprint opened up I found myself on a great wheel and with 100m to go I was second wheel, coming off it in the last 50m winning it in a bike through by a mere 2 inches. The second stage was a 15km TT on the same loop. By 2 in the Arvo a reasonable wind had picked up to make the race even harder with a 7km head wind section in the second half of the loop. I felt good during my time trial, passing 5 people along the way, I came in with a time of 22minutes 8 seconds. At the end of the day I ended up 3rd in the Time trial just 8 seconds behind the winner. I am extremely happy with this as I took 8 seconds out of my deficit from Ararat over a 5km longer race. The Sunday was a new day and different circuits. I started the day in the lead overall on GC by just 2 points. The first race of the day was a 60km race in some of the small hills that Shepparton has to offer. it was a tough race in blustery conditions. I was feeling really good after completing the hilly section but luck wasn't on my side. I got a flat with 15km to go and as I did the attacks started to come and the race was up the road. The final stage, a crit, was called off due to rain and I finished the tour 2nd overall. I am really happy with my condition, I felt strong the whole weekend and am especially happy with my TT result. As you may have known I also had Exams two weeks ago. I am happy to report that I passed all of them and gaining high distinctions in three subjects including science along with distinctions in Math and visual communications. My next big race is the Canberra junior tour on the 5th and 6th in Stromlo national park, ACT. This is a huge event when it come to junior races in Australia with over 70 kids in my age group alone from all-round Australia and New Zealand. The following weekend I have another state selection race in the Eildon junior tour. I am looking forward to this and the challenges of some big hills. Cheers Oli

On 17/7/08 Oli wrote - Hi all Since I last wrote to you I have had a bit of a quiet patch mainly due to being stuck at home with the flu. The first week of the school holidays was great finally having time to relax while putting in some good, solid training leading up to some important races. The first one of those was the Canberra junior Tour. This took place over a weekend and included two hilly road races, a crit and a time trial. It was a tough weekend of racing made tougher by a ongoing knee injury (which is getting better now) and the onset of the flu over the weekend. I lost considerable amounts of time in the two road races, got a 12th in the crit and a 18th in the TT. Overall I was slightly disappointed because I was expecting slightly better results but considering the problems I cant complain. Following this I had planned to race the Eildon junior tour last weekend but after a complete week of bed rest I still wasn't 100% and chose not to take part. This week I have finally gotten back on the bike, only for light roller sessions, on Tuesday, Wednesday and tonight. I am also finally getting back into racing this weekend as part of a club team taking part in Victorian Club Teams Champs. So I am hoping for a good hit out and a good result. Next weekend is the Vic State road Champs, with the TT on the Sat and road race on the Sun. I am hoping for good results here, especially the TT, but not expecting anything after a week and a half off just 3 weeks out! Optimistic to say the least. Cheers Oli

On 20/7/08 Oli wrote - hey all had a good week last week finally getting back on the bike and into training again.. thoroughly enjoyed just being able to ride again. This weekend rode with bob on yesterday at the track (DISC) for 2 hours or so and had a good hit out before today's race. Today was the Victorian club teams championships and consisted of a 32km team time trial for us U/17 men. I was in a team with Matty and another mate from CCCC. the was held up in Ballarat so as you can imagine it was quite cold, wet and windy.. but it made for great and very tough riding conditions. We rode really well, struggling a bit in the long head wind section with only three riders but for the rest of it we were moving well and ended up 2nd about 40 seconds behind 1st. this was a great result because that team had two very strong riders and a full team... so really happy with the result and extremely happy with my form going into states after a week off! So yeh next weekend I have the state road champs, with the time trail on the Saturday and the road race on the Sunday. Hoping for a good result in the TT, Podium would be great and hopefully making the state team. Fingers crossed till then, as long as I don't get sick again or injure myself im in with a good chance Cheers Oli

On 28/7/08 Oli wrote - Hi all Had the Victorian Junior State Championships this weekend in Wangaratta, these included a Time Trial on Saturday and a Road race yesterday. Saturday was a great day with the sun shinning, no wind and some what warmer temperature. After the long drive up I got there at around 11:30 pumped for my race later that in the afternoon. One definite highlight of the day was getting the new team kit, which I must say looks amazing and is feels SO comfortable! Well I started my warm up about an hour before after getting everything set up and ready. Got into it slowly and by the time I went over to the starting area to have my bike checked I was felling warm and ready to go. Started off felling pretty good, as the race went on the usual pain kicked in and I wasn't feeling so hot. come the end I Finished 4th only 3 seconds behind 3rd, which is my best result ever one the road. Sunday was another day, completely different to the last. Woke up very tired, to hear the depressing news about cadel Evans time trial at the tour and then was presented with dark grey skies and puddles outside. After breakfast with Dad, Dan and a couple of others I was back in my room getting my bike ready for the road race. After riding to the start in the cold on wet roads and just chatting to some people before beginning my warm-up proper the clouds were getting darker. half way through the warm up the rain began to come down and with it the talk of what should be worn for the race, rain jacket or not, arm warmers or long jacket, long gloves or not. As matty and I rolled up to the start with are legs warm with the oil and nerves playing up a bit it was racing time. To put it briefly the race was very fast very wet and very aggressive. The pace was on from the start, and the first attacks came within 5km. As the first of the hills approached the rain started coming down hard. The pace finally died down as the bunch approached the big hill the first time everyone was a little on edge for what was to come. After a kilometre and a half of climbing the bunch had been split from 55 strong to just 15 or so and the pace was on again with the attacks coming. with about 5 km to go before the hill on the second lap I attacked and managed to go off the front alone, joined a couple of minutes later by one other we quickly got 30 seconds on the bunch and held it till the bottom of the hill. Up the hill I just rode tempo feeling a bit sore from the attack. I got caught with about 500 meters to the top withe the main bunch riding straight past me but I caught them easily on the descent. In the bunch sprint for second I got 4th, making it 5th for the race. This was a great weekend of racing and I am really happy with were I am at considering I had a week off the bike only 3 weeks ago. I am not 100% sure whether or not I am going to race at nationals at this point but will be making the decision this week some time. Other than that I will just be doing a couple of club races over the coming weekends. Cheers Oli

On 10/8/08 Oli wrote- Hi all - Had a easy week following states two weeks ago and then got back into the long Kms the following weekend. I just went out with a local bunch on Saturday which turned out to be a bit of a disaster getting a couple of flats and having no more inner tubes left. The Sunday I went out with Dan and a mate for a good 100km ride down to Frankston and doing a few hills down there. Last week just had my normal training throughout the week with 3 sessions of gym as well. felt all right getting back into it and doing a bit of bigger gear stuff as I only have 3 more races in U17, and therefore only three races on tiny gears, before I start racing U19 in October. I am really looking forward to this step up and the challenges and opportunities that will come up. This weekend I have had a very busy one. I raced at Casey fields on Saturday in A grade due to a complete lack of B graders, I was the only one. This was a tough race with the wind blowing, attacks flying and no where to hide. Then today after a small ride in the morning I raced at DISC this evening with Hawthorn. This was great fun with some long races, including a 100 lap points race. Felt good a finished up with two 2nds and a 3rd out of the three races in A grade. In other news the state team was announced last week and unfortunately I wasn't picked. The final team consisted of the top six riders in the state aggregate series, I finished 7th in this series. I am slightly disappointed at this considering my results at the state championships but you cant help these things and that's the decision. Next Friday I am racing the Zone finals of the Vic Schools Cycling Championships at Casey fields and then on Saturday I am racing in Ballarat on Saturday in a support crit as part of the Cycling Gran Prix. The crit is being held in the main street of Ballarat so should be a good day. Other than that I am just doing club races for the time being and will be starting some regular track training in the coming month or so before the track season starts in November. Cheers Oli

On 25 August Oli wrote - Hi all I was finally back on the bike this weekend after having two weeks off with a cold or flu virus. It feels good to be back on the bike although I am still taking it easy. Both rides this weekend were quite easy but I still felt quite sore and tired after them so I am defiantly not at 100% yet. don't have many races at this time of year, I will be racing a zone final for the Victorian school cycling championships in the coming month and a half once I fell I am better. hopefully I can make the state final for this which if so will be raced on the morning before the last stage of the Herald Sun tour in Melbourne on Saturday the 18th of October. Till then I will just be getting back into training. Cheers Oli

On 1 September 2008, Oli wrote - Hi all - Been off the bike for a bit now with this virus that hasn’t really gone
away, however I am finally feeling better and planing to get back into full training this week after a couple of rides over last week. Because I have been sick I have missed a few races, I missed the zone final for the Victorian Schools Cycling Champs but am planning to ride a different zone to try and qualify for the final. I would love to make the final because it would be a great way to finish my year as a junior before a move up to U19 come October the 1st. I am currently really looking forward to track season, which starts in about two months time. I guess I am really looking forward to summer in general with track and the crits starting again. For the summer I really want to move up to A grade in the crits and post a result there, while on the track I would love to make the viccie team again and see how I go at nationals. Cheers Oli

On 16 September 2008 Oli wrote - Thankfully I am fully over that cold/ flu now and back into training. completed a good weeks worth of training this week hitting the gym a couple of times and getting out three times including racing on Sunday afternoon. The racing was at disc and it was great to race on the track again and getting the feel for it. Because I am moving up an age group it is also good to play around with different gears on the track and see what suits me, whets suits certain races and what gears I need to be able to push by the time track season proper comes around in a month and a half. On the school front I am looking forward to school holidays, which start at the end of this week. Its always good to have a chance to relax, train a bit more an just have fun without all the pressures of school. Cheers Oli

On 28 september Oli wrote - Hi all I have been on school holidays for a week now and have really been njoying it. Its great to have so much free time and no deadlines to meet regarding schoolwork and having to be at school from 9 to 3. The holidays have been great for riding too . Last weekend I had the Degani Kinglake ride which was really good. I found it enjoyable but relatively hard being the longest ride I had done in about a month and still getting my fitness back. Then this week I have been down at Anglesea with a mate, we went out everyday along the great ocean road. I don't know why but riding along the great ocean road always feels hard and feels as if you are working doubly as hard compared to in Melbourne. It was a great week riding each morning and then relaxing on the beach for the rest of the day. Today I am flying up to Darwin for a family holiday. I will be up there for a week and a half but I am taking my bike so wont lose anything in terms of fitness. I may be racing while I am up there with the Darwin cycling club but that is to be determined depending on what the family is doing etc... When I get back from Darwin it is back to school for me. Regards Oli

On 25 October Oli wrote - Hi all I know it's been a while since I last wrote life has been a touch on the hectic side. School holidays were great, spent the first weekend riding and relaxing then went down to Anglesea for the first week. It was great riding along the great ocean rode. Just really tough riding. Then the second week saw the family and I fly up to Darwin to support my brother in the national basketball championships. I can't say I loved Darwin, the heat and humidity made me somewhat cranky most of the time... But it was defiantly fun being up there; we stayed with some friends who had moved up there a couple of years ago so it was great to see them again. On the basketball front my brothers' team had a stellar tournament finishing second out of 24 teams. While up there I got a couple of rides in and a race. It was very different to be riding at 5 in the morning in 25-degree heat and choking humidity, it defiantly felt as if the wind was harder to ride through. I raced once up there in a club race around the hidden valley raceway. It was a tough race; only a small field of 8 in a grade but all of them were pretty strong. I attacked with another bloke on the second lap and we put 15 seconds into the field pretty quickly however after a lap he broke a spoke and I was left out front by myself. I quickly got caught by the field and one person countered. This one guy happened to be the NT time trial champion so as hard as we tried he just kept riding away from us. I finished the race winning the bunch kick so it didn't go to badly. After returning from Darwin I slowly got back into training. My first race back was the Zone qualifier for the Victorian School Cycling Championships; I was really happy with how I went, after breaking away with 8km to go I put a minute into the bunch and won it. I raced Sandown the week after returning and finished a surprising 5th in B grade in the bunch sprint, after trying a few attacks. I was extremely surprised and happy with my form after this considering the inconsistent training of the last month or so. That weekend I had three races. First off was the Victorian school champs final on Lygon st on the morning of the Herald Sun Tour stage. This was a great race, after breaking away with one other just 8 minutes into it and being joined by one more 3 minutes later the three of us rode away and finished about a minute in front of the field. I lead out the final sprint from 200 meters and was just piped on the line by about an inch. The second race was the elite support race on the same afternoon. It was an extremely tough race after the morning's efforts and the speed of the race. I struggled from the start and only survived for half the race. It was my first race as an U19 and it was good for my experience to race with the big boys. My last race for the weekend was just the weekly race at Glenvale. It was a quick and aggressive race from the start with people attacking constantly. After trying my luck at getting in the winning move all day it finally presented itself when I jumped on someone's wheel with 2 and a half laps to go. We put 50 meters onto the bunch quite quickly. As we went through to see two laps to go we were both pulling hard turns however he began to tire soon after. I was joined by another person shortly after and we continued the pace to remain about 40 meters off the front coming around for the bell. Coming into the second last corner I was caught by 5 more people and jumped on them to get as much recovery as possible before the sprint. I opened up the sprint and finished about a bike length in front. Because of that win I am now in a grade, which should present a new and interesting experience. Cheers Oli

On 4 Nov Oli wrote - Hi all I had my first A grade race the other weekend, I was quite nervous before the start but got into it quickly. I tried to stay near the front and even tried a break away. I ended up finishing 9th in the bunch sprint. I really enjoyed the race, It was defiantly harder but it was a great challenge. I then had school camp during the week. It wasn't the best of fun but better than a week of school I guess. Its also fun being with your mates for a week. I took my bike with me and got a couple of nice early morning rides in around the upper Yarra valley which were really nice in the fresh air and nearly no cars. Then Saturday I did my first track session for the season. It was good to get back and do some good training. That is going to become a weekly thing leading up to states (19th, 20th and 21st dec). Then on Sunday I raced Glenvale. It was a relatively quick race from the start with quite a few people trying to get off the front. At the ten minute mark I followed a attack and found my self in a bunch of 3 off the front. We got about 30 seconds on the field and held them for about 10 minutes but finally got pulled back. Just hovered on and around the front for the rest of the race. I ended up finishing 2nd in the bunch sprint and 7th overall, with bunch of five off the front. It is quite exciting to be getting some good results in a grade already and being just outside the money. I have exams coming up in a weeks time so they are the main focus at the moment. While cycling just takes a back seat for week. Oli

 

On 29/11/08 Oli wrote - Hi all Its been two weeks since my crash now and I am finally back on the bike. I am still recovering and defiantly no where near 100% yet but im getting there slowly. The week following the crash a spent at home lying or sitting all day and suffering during the night even on pain killers. I saw Arnaud on that Friday for a very painful but beneficial massage. I went to school this week. It was really good to be out of home and moving around again. I had another massage with Arnaud on Friday which again helped. I had my first ride back this morning, just a lazy 30km at around 25km per hour. It was defiantly an odd feeling when you get passed by people when usually you would be racing past them. It was defiantly hard to fight the urge to catch up to people but a little pain in the back stopped that idea. I haven't pulled up sore which is positive and I will be out again tomorrow morning for an easy 40kms. At this point I am still targeting the state championships in three weeks time however the training will just be slow, easing into it just going on feel. Cheers Oli

 

On 12/12/08 Oli wrote - Hi all Fully back into training now. I am just trying to get myself ready for the state champs which are on next weekend. Enjoying my school holidays, more time for everything. It has just been good to stay up a bit later, sleep in, see mates and train. I think it does make you just a touch lazy though. I have had the best news today for a while. I came home to find a letter in the post. In it was letter notifying me of my selection in the Australian team to compete at the Australian Youth Olympics in January 2009. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your on going support. Cheers Oli

 

On 24 December Oli wrote - Hi all I raced the state track championships on the weekend, I competed in the individual pursuit on Saturday, then on Sunday I raced the points race and then the kilometre time trial. In the pursuit I rode a 3: 37 over 3km in the qualifier where I ranked third. Then for the ride off for bronze I rode a 3: 36 beating my competitor by four seconds. Then on Sunday in the points, I hung on for most of the race. I placed fourth in the first sprint and then won the 3rd sprint. However after that the affects and lack of training after the crash caught up to me. I attempted to go for a few sprints but just didn't have anything in me. I ended up finishing about 6th(not sure of the exact results). My final ride of the weekend was the kilo, so after attempting to recover from the points race I suffered through my warm up to ride all of 4 laps. The race itself didn't go to badly, I got a good start out of the blocks and rode a 1: 10 placing 5th which I was extremely happy with. Overall I am satisfied with where I am but would like to be travelling a bit quicker. The results should secure me a spot in the state team, which was due to come out yesterday or today but hasn't of yet. I am trying to put some solid rides in this side of new years to see if I can have some sort of form for the bay crits, which I am really looking forward to. after that I am back on the track doing a bit of preparation for the Australian Youth Olympics. Cheers Oli

 

On 12/1/09 Oli wrote - Hi all Firstly I would like to thank you for your support, the bay crits was a great week. Although we weren’t greatly successful, from talking t all the boys, we all learnt a lot and had a great time. I am sure we will all be back there next year, fitter, stronger and wiser, looking of some results. The week started out quite badly, we all rocked up to Williamstown, on Friday to be met by rain. For about 30 minutes it poured down leaving us all huddled up in the tent putting lots of warm clothes on. Luckily for us it all cleared and then the sun came out By the time the race started the course was dry and everyone was in high spirits again. I Didn’t last long in the race, but it worked out to really open my eyes to the competition. The second day was easily our best day. Nearly everyone finished, ferg collected a second in a sprint and i was off the front twice. We were all confident after the race and were really looking forward to the rest of the week. How 24 hours can change something. The race the following day was a huge shock, we all had a solid warm up and took the start line. From then on it was crazy. The boys at the front hit it out from the gun. Gaps began to open from the second lap as people dropped wheels in the middle of the groups and people weren’t able to close them. Eric and I along with a few others found are selves just off the back of the bunch together we worked hard to pull the gap back. After nearly ten laps of this we were red flagged. Although this was one of the east successful days I was extremely happy with how I rode. I had been called up last but really pushed myself for the twenty minutes I was racing and for the first time since my crash I felt strong. Portarlington was a new day, we had a very positive team meeting the night before and we were all pumped. We had planned to all line up on the same side at the start and try our best to help each other this did work quite well, with a lot of the boys ending grouped together. I was lucky enough to be called up first, and with a gap in front of me ended up in the front row on the start line. This helped immensely as i was able to put myself in the first 5 riders of the race for the first 10 minutes or so, from here i settled into the front bunch feeling strong and reasonably comfortable. This all changed after i came down. This sadly put me out of the race, with a large cut on my right knee and a slightly broke bike. The bike was fixed, thanks heaps to Sram. But bob didn’t want me racing the following day. Instead i stood on the top corner screaming words of encouragement at the boys as they went through. It turned out to be a great performance. With all the boys trying extremely hard and really putting in a fighting effort. We had a good showing at the front from both Matt and Gav riding at the front of the race for a while, matty even throwing in a few attacks. Come the end we had eric and jarrod finish, having really suffered to stay but doing a great job. I have recovered well from the crash. After the bay crits i have had a few days off in preparation for the Youth Olympics. I am travelling out tomorrow (Tuesday the 13th) and i will be competeing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. Cheers Oli

 

On 20 January Ollie wrote - As you may know I have been up in Sydney for the past week competing in the
AYOF. It was a awesome experience. It was run just like a Olympic games, staying in villages with many different countries, eating together, catching buses to venues together and of course competing against each other. The Australian team was by far the largest competing at the track, we were made up of 17 boys and 13 girls, Of which there were five from Victoria. I got there last Tuesday and went from the airport straight to the track where we unpacked our bikes and had a road ride and a track session. We then went back to the village by bus, a 45minutes journey. The next day was even fuller, we were up at 6:45 then straight to breakfast.
We then left the village by 8:30 to get on the track by 9:30. We were on the track most of the day, having lunch there. That night we had the opening ceremony. We left the village by 5, had a snack at the venue then sat around for 2 hours till the start. it was a fun night, we paraded through then sat in the stand and cheered and whistled all night. We finally got home at about 11pm. The competition itself was really tough and I didn't have the best week. The main highlight being, riding a pb in the Individual Pursuit. I took a second and a half off my previous best, riding a 3 35.2 over the 3 km.Coming out of it, I have made many new friends from around Australia and overseas. It has also given me some encouragement. I know that when I am fit I would be up with the best from all over Australia. With this in mind, I have set my self a new goal of making the Australian
Junior track team in 2010 and to compete at the junior world championships in Italy in June 2010. I know this will mean alot more time on the track, but I feel I am up for it and capable. Cheers Oli

 

On feb 20 Oli wrote - I have had a busy few weeks, with the National Track Championships, followed by and easy week on the bike but a full on week at school (being a week behind after your first week in year 11 isn’t a great start) then the Oceania Road Championships road race on Sunday morning in Portarlington. Track nationals was a great week. I was there for 8 days, and raced in 4 different events. To begin the week we had two team training sessions, on the Sunday and Monday, before competition started on the Tuesday. My first event for the week was the Individual Pursuit, after talking to bob we decided to ride to a 3minute 33second schedule for the 3km. He did mention however that he and Rick Leonard both thought I could ride sub 3:30.
I guess the mention of that put ideas in my head, ones that I didn’t forget and raced thinking about. I was up on my schedule for the whole ride finishing with a 3:29.739, a sub 3:30 ride and a whole 6 seconds off the PB I set at the Youth Olympics Just 10 days earlier!! My next event for the week was the team’s pursuit, with the qualifier on Thursday afternoon and the final in the evening session. As a team we had ridden together a whole 3 times, with only 2 of the four having raced one before. It turned out to go pretty good considering. We rode a 4:26 over 4km to qualify 3rd, 2 seconds behind second and 10 in front of 4th. The final went our way to, beating the other team, in a nearly identical time to our qualifier, by about 8 seconds. A national medal, a bronze but a medal all the same. I guess there is no rest for the wicked, or those with wild hair! I was on again just 15 minutes after the medal presentation of the Teams Pursuit for the 10km Scratch race. I struggled for most of the race, off the back chasing to get on for more than half the race. I ended up finishing on the same lap as the bunch, about 245m behind, on a 250m track! All the same I had raced my first mass start event at a national title. My last race for the week was 25km points score on the Saturday night. I felt really good for the first 70 laps or so but a lack of road km and track racing took its toll as I dropped two laps and was pulled from the race with about 12 laps to go. In all I had a great week, riding a huge PB, Collecting a national medal and gaining a lot of experience. Then last Sunday I was up at 5 30 to leave by 6 to get to Portarlington by 830 ish. As all Le Grice things go we rocked up slightly behind schedule, more like quater to than have past! But I was all warmed up and ready to race by the start. It was a fast race, with a 3 km section of a few steep climbs then about 8 km of flat roads battered by the wind. I didn’t feel my best but kept riding, I got myself into the second part of the winning move after about 40km of racing, but dropped from the group 8 km later up the hills. I sat in the bunch for another 2 laps but finally cramped on the back straight with about 20km to ride. It was a tough race, but I did feel that I was up to the standard, just lacking some road kms and just a touch tired. This last week I have put in some good riding, having done about 7 hours in the last 3 days with another few on the weekend. For now I am training up for road season with the main aim of the nationals in Queensland on the
first weekend of May. Cheers Oli

 

On March 29 Ollie wrote - I have a great past month. I have been really enjoying clocking up the kilometres, getting around 400-500 in a week, including a weekend of 320km. Its been good just feeling a lot of the fitness that I lost in my crash last year coming back and im feeling a lot stronger on the bike than I did two or three months ago months ago. I have been really trying to get out to the hills a lot and just doing some quality hill climbing in. This morning I raced up in Castlemaine in the Victorian state crit champs. It was a tough race around a 600m hot dog circuit. Our raced started with about 15 in the bunch but it split up early because
of a few attacks from myself and a couple of others. At about the 15minute mark Harry attacked and with a little bit of teamwork he rode away to a strong lead with 25 minutes left in the race. The rest of the race was a
hard, with Harry off the front I was trying to control the remaining bunch, about 5 at this stage, and give Harry the best chance. With about 10 minutes left I attacked a couple of times leaving Harry off the front with myself
and two others behind. In the end Harry finished strongly, even after getting to the know pavement a little to well, and took the win about 200 meters off the front. I just got the bunch kick for second after a long decision from the judges who were persuaded by so crafty camera work from Liz. I have a busy month ahead, this coming week I am racing in Shepparton for the Australian Schools Cycling Cup which is on Wednesday and Thursday consisting of a Individual time trial, road race, hill climb and team time trial. Then on the weekend I am racing out in Colerain in the Tour of the Southern Grampians. Then the holidays I am getting into some more intensity work and doing a bit of TT specific work. Cheers Oli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On 11/4/08 Ben wrote - Last week at Glenvale Bob had givin the team certain jobs to do in specific area's. Ollie and myself had the job of looking after Bec for the final lead out sprint.This was working fantastically until the second last corner came tumbling down on top of Bec bringing her down, luckliy got out unscathed. This weekend I am heading to the Grampians for the Colraine tour. Consisting of ITT, road racing and criteriums. A bit scared as I'm not really a hill climber. See how we go though. Will let you know how we go up in the mountains.

On 15/4/08 Ben wrote - Over the weekend I competed at the Coleraine, Southhern Grampians Tour (near Mt Gambier). This consisted of a ITT, two road stages and a crit. I didnt go very well in the ITT due to a slight muscle tear but placed 16th out of 70. Then came the first road race I had done ever in my life. A bit scared, yes, but I got on with the job and put the nerves aside. We climbed and climbed and climbed!!! A break away of 4 got away which I was unaware of, Dan and myself tried to pull the peleton back to them but clearly no-one wanted to do any work with us. Finishing Stage 2 off in 7th position. Then came Stage 3 on Sunday morning. Another road race and another nervous start. Not so bad this time but enough. Again we climbed and climbed and descented and climbed and so on. (MAX speed 89.2km/h). I saw the 5km mark so I slowly pushed my way up behind the yellow jersey. Coming into the last corner I was sitting 4th wheel back to finish my second road race off with a 2nd place. Was stoked but a little dissapointed as I was an inch off 1st and gaining.grrr. Then Stage 4 the criterium. By this stage I was fairly stuffed, fatigue had set in and the legs were singing. We had a 15 lap (28km) race around town. In the end not such a good result but a 7th was brought on there to. Over the weekend I placed in the top 15 GC riders for the tour. Wasn't the happiest with my results but its all a learning curve and my first tour. Better luck next year.

On 21/7/08 ben wrote - hi guys. sorry its been so long. have been rather busy with year 12. just a quik note about the weekend at the state club championships. The Carnegie team "who i was competing for" won silver on the day averaging around 41km/h for a 30km time trial. Rather painful but every TT is so you learn to respect that. This weekend i will be competing at the State Junior road and TT champioinships in Wangaratta. I will let you know how it all pans out, gonna be a tough race but i'll give it my all for team chartermason. thanx Ben

On 27/7/08 Ben wrote - Gday, sorry its been so long have been rather busy with school work trying to get in everything on time. Year 12 is goin strongly, putting through some good results. I am visiting uni's next month so this will also be another interesting time for me. Cycling as we know in Yr 12 isnt the best of fun but getting through school is main priority which i keep having to remind myself about. Thanking you guys for the support and also a big thanks for the new kit "very comfy". Hoping to catch up with you all soon. BRING ON SUMMER. Ben

On 28/7/08 Ben wrote - Hi team, just reporting about the weekend at the State championships in Wangaratta. On Saturday i rode a very poor time trial, wasnt sure why this was but it wasnt me. I knew that during the week i was slowly starting to get a cold but i tried to put this aside. On sunday morning before the 100km road race i woke up in a rather bad state, concluding with coach Bob not allowing me to race and to withdraw. This was very hard to deal with not being able to race but thats cycling. Go team CharterMason!!!Ben

On 20/8/08 Ben wrote - hi guys, very busy with yr12 at the moment. Haven't been able to get much training in at all which really sucks. On saturday I raced at Stigletz/Maude in the pooring rain and howling wind. This course is a killer climbing appox 350m each lap. This race in B grade was a 4 lap race of 65km. In the end of the tough conditons I won by a bike length which was very pleasing for me as I have not been putting in sufficiant training. Until next time. Ben

On 13/9/08 Ben wrote - hi team. just a quik short brief on how my life is going at the moment. I have been very sik the last two weeks (who hasnt). Today was the first time I had been on the bike for 10days, hmmm not good. School is unbeliveably stressful at the moment but the end is in sight and let me tel you I cannot wait. Stil unsure on what enter score I am going to get but I think for the courses I want to get into, my score isnt looking to flash so maybe other options are looking closer than expected, but lets cross our fingers and hope for the best, miricles can happen. Hope to see you all soon out in this great weather we are getting. talk soon ben

On October 8 Ben wrote - Gday everyone. just letting you know how i am goin at this point in time with school, i have passed all units for my classes which is great but now comes the toughest challenge of them all 'THE EXAMS' . Am studying my bum off at the moment so riding has been averaging a lucky twice per week.not good but lets face it, you only do Yr12 once in your whole life and with 3weeks left im giving it my all. hope to see you all soon out and about. fingers crossed. Ben Vieth

On October 13 Ben wrote - Hi guys. hope all is well, I have a cold at the moment after a rather stressful week. these things happen with stress, but the light is getting bigger and brighter as the ends close. This is now last week of school FOREVER. Can i wait ....well no!! Today i had meetings with the ' Victorian Fitness Academy' were i now will be completing certificate 3 and 4 for personal training and a dipolma of fitness. This is also costing me $0 as the government is granting this through a special scheme. The course goes for 12 weeks part time, consisting 2 nights a week for 3 hrs. The course starts tomoro night, Bob you will be happy i pulled my finger out for this one,(one day)haha. Anyway off to school now , hope to see you all soon and will definetly let you know how I go with my first class. Ben

 

On 17 December Ben wrote - Hi guys. School is over forever!!! And yes i am having the best time ever not being there, missing the mates though. I am currently finihing my personal training course and will then begin my diploma of fitness which will give me direct entry into a human movement course at university. Schoolies was great fun in Surfers Paradise, only thing i would have regretted is if i didnt go. I also have recieved my new bike which is absolutely fantastic, thankyou sponsers and Bob dearly for this fantastic piece of equipment, big step up!! i am currently training my legs off for the bay crits in the start of january, im staying as much as i can in Mebourne to train with Bob for the elite level of fitness required. thanks again guys for the bike really appreciate it. talk soon.train hard.Ben

 

On 7 January 2009 Ben wrote - G'day everyone, what a week it has been at the Jayco bay crits held in Melb and Geelong. A huge week of experiences i had never faced until this week. And experiences i will take with me through racing over this coming season of racing. As much i would have loved to put some strong results on the board, a little man sitting on my shoulder kept telling me to hold off because these are the big boys and you dont mess with them. BUT until satge two i had a fantastic ride holding top 15 position the entire race, it all came down to the final sprint, as i was being led out by a high class rider he clipped the barrier and over he went, me luckily locking up the back wheel and surviving hitting the deck, but also preventing me from a top 10 finish that was looking rather promising. bummer but thats racing. The last stage had came , stage 5, on the stunning waterfront of my home town Geelong. I knew the night before it was going to be a big day for me with a big home crowd and stronger legs as i was feeling rather ill in stage 4 and had the day off. Morning had came and so had our morning training ride, Bob took us down to the course to test it out and give us some much needed tips for the race. Silly me zoomed around one corner a lilttle to fast and hit the deck. I seemed to be fine until i looked down and seem some rather nasty grazes along mi arm, leg and hip. nothing to winge over as it wasnt to bad. but still really hurt!! and yes the bike is OK. during the race i found myself taking the corners a litlle to easy losing many positions on each corner. not good. anyway. To the sponsers i would love to thankyou more than anything. you built this to be something i will not forget. and experience not to be forgooton no matter the outcome. i have nationals this saturday so will keep you posted on how i go. sorry if there is spelling mistakes but im about to head out for a ride. thanks guys ben.train hard

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On 3/4/08 Jamie wrote - Been pretty busy lately, building up to my next big race in the grampians. Its a two day race which has a Timetrial and road race on the first day, and another roadrace and a crit on the second. Other than that, I'm going to Canberra in May to attend a sports forum, and my interview with the federal minister for sport will be broadcast on Radio National. Holidays have been good, but the Holiday homework not so good.

On 6/6/08 Jamie wrote - Raced at Ararat on the weekend, and it was good fun. I came 5th in every stage, and beat some people in the timetrial who i didn't expect to beat. I haven't been in great form due to some illness over the past months, but i'm over that now and i'm picking up form pretty quickly. Looking forward to the state Champs in july, but i'm still in two minds about whether to specify training towards the Road Race or the Time Trial.

On 17/7/08 Jamie wrote - I've been injured for the last two weeks with patella tendonitis, which we think was caused by a growth surge. So it hasn't been the best run-up to the states next week (and if it isn't better in time i may not even be able to race). I've spent alot of time trying to run up different physios, and its so frustrating when they are all telling you different things, and giving you a vague diagnosis. But I've managed to find a Physio who i can trust, who specialises in cycling injuries. However, its been hard to get in contact with her because shes in France doing physio work at the tour. Anyway, i was a bit annoyed about the whole injury thing, but Bob put it back into perspective for me, and reminded me that there would be other races, and that as a junior, i should be looking at cycling as a long term process that will continue through Uni and hopefully lead me to the pro ranks, which is when results really matter. Schools been going well, and I did well in my Exams. I got A's and A+'s in Politics, English, Physics, Economics and P.E. Hope to see you guys soon, and for now i'll just try to get better in time for the states. Jamie Blaker

On 3/8/08 Jamie wrote - hi guys, my injury is slowly getting better and i'm gradually getting back into training. My program consists of four easy windtrainer seesions per week and specific excercises to strengthen my VMO muscle. I'm eager to start racing again soon, and give the new gear a spin (Looks really good by the way- thanks!) but there will be plenty of time to do that once i'm completely better. Anyway, it was great to hear that the team did so well at the States, and it would be exciting if Olly gets to represent us in the Nationals. Cya Jamie

On 7/9/08 Jamie wrote - Hi guys Went riding with Bob's group today and ended up doing 200 km by the time I rode to his place, went for the training ride and came back home. We went to Kinglake and Bob and I had a little friendly competition going up the hill. We were doing three minutes steady pace then 30 seconds all out sprinting. I got Bob on the first three sprints but i'm afraid he beat me on the others! As it was my first really long ride in a while, i was anxious as to how it would all go, but I was so happy because I found that I hadn't lost too much of my form during my brake, so I just need to get my top end speed back and i'll be flying. Also I'll be racing at Crib Point on the Weekend so that will be a good indicator as to where i am at at the moment. School has been going very well, but it is winding up in the next few weeks, so i can't wait for the Holiday's training. For the second week of the holidays I'm doing work experience (shredding and filing papers) at a law firm in collins street, so that's also something to look forward to. I'll see everyone at the Degani-Kinglake ride, but until then enjoy the warm(er) weather - Jamie

On 13/9/08 Jamie wrote - HI! raced Crib Point today and it was the most pleasant race i've been in for a long
time. It was raced on coastal roads in 27 degrees and blue sky. The pace of the race, however, was unsuitably fast. We averaged 40 kph over the 70 k race. It was my first race in a while, so i was interested to see how i would go. I broke away at the start to test the legs, and i got pretty far out but nobody joined me so i gradually rejoined the pack. Then the winning break went away, and i'm afraid i didn't pick it. But i felt really great.
Also I went to the Monash Uni Sports Science lab on Tuesday to get my VO2 max tested. It was a running test, and i had to wear all of these heavy contraptions on my head. I ended up getting 65, and the people running the test were suprised because that is an Elite score in adult males, and the score would have been a fair bit higher if i did the test on a bike. It just goes to show that the athletes in our team are pretty fit in the scheme of things. But Lance Armstrong had a V02 Max of 83... so we've still got a little way to go. Cya. Jamie

On 29 September 2008 Jamie wrote - Hello, just enjoying my holidays at the moment and getting in some good training. I arrived back from Marysville today, where i had a few days to train up and down Lake Mountain, so im kind of sore after that. But i should be able to get in one more session today, because i will have to do WT's on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday due to Work experience. But the holidays have otherwise been fairly quiet, i have alot of reading to do for my Y12 subject over the next week. I'm sure that i will see everyone at Glenvale on sunday... Woohoo! crits are back jamie

On 4 October Jamie wrote - Hi all! Trained between Mordialloc and Black Rock this morning, and I think i saw you Peter? Or at least it looked like you, but you(or your stunt double) were riding very fast in the opposite direction, so couldn't say hi. But I was not training incredibly hard as I wanted to be in reasonable shape for Glenvale tomorrow; so i just did some TT's and sprints. Exams are coming up soon; so that signals four weeks of monotony. But i've been studying hard over the holidays, so it wont be too much of a worry...Oh and I never got to thank you George for putting on that great ride at Kinglake. You picked a great day for it, because the weather was great- And i can tell that all the other riders enjoyed it because every second person on Beach Rd this morning was wearing one of the Red "Kinglake, Degani" shirts. Hope everyone Is well and speak to you soon, maybe at Glenvale. jamie

On 24 October Jamie wrote - Hi, had a full weeks training doing some TT efforts over the week. I crashed last Sunday at Glenvale which wasn't too much fun. Luckily i fell over the gutter and onto the grass, though i did somehow get alot of splinters... must have landed on a stick? but it was as minor as a crash gets, so it hasnt stopped me at all. Otherwise i've been studying for my exams, and i feel that i'm in a good position to do well in my year 12 subject. I wont be racing at Glenvale this Sunday as i will be training in the mountains over the weekend; but i will be there at the presentation in Bourke street, so cya there. Jamie

On 9 November Jamie wrote - Hi, tomorrow is the big day as i have my year 12 subject exam. I'm confident that i will do very well, but i'm at a loose end at the moment because i've got to the point where its hard to study because i know everything so well. Wish i could have raced today, but I guess it wouldn't have been the correct thing to do before the exam. But I will be racing the Doherty Tour (through the dandenongs) next weekend. I'm looking forward to the race because I have good form at the moment, and i think that my exams next week will act as the perfect Tapering period in the lead up to the race. It goes for two days (Saturday and Sunday) and it consists of a Time Trial up the 1/20 climb, a road race around "Death valley" (kinda melodramatic considering it only has a few short hills) and a crit. The short sharp climbs in death Valley should suit me, but i'm not sure whether the time trial will be long or steep enough for me. anyhow we'll find out next weekend. Till then, cya Jamie

 

On 30/11/08 Jamie wrote - Hi all. I'm getting ready for the tour of Bright next weekend, and i think i'm in pretty good shape for it. I decided not to race today because i had a slightly sore back. Its nothing serious, and its already getting better, but i just didn't want to do anything stupid the week before the Tour. So i just went for a 40 minute spin instead, and ill put in a few spacers for the next few days. Exams have now finished, and i've got most of my results back. I got good grades in all of my subjects, but i'm still waiting for the results of my year twelve sunject (the important one). I also saw Ollie at school, and he's looking much better which was great to see. Oh and thankyou all so much for supporting me (and all of us) through out the exam period. The sponsors were very helpful, and it will show in the results i'm sure. Maybe i'll see some of you at the top of Hotham this weekend??? Jamie

 

On 11 Jan 09 Jamie wrote - Hello, just arrived back from glenvale this morning. The race seemed incredibly easy after the bay crits, and i felt alot more confident in the bunch after I learned so much during the past week. I decided to attack a few (perhaps a few too many) times, and one attack got quite far, but it was destined to be a bunch sprint. I went around the final corner in 5th position, but some slow guy cut me off and i ended up still managing 6th. Anyway, after this morning I'm confident i'll do well in the coming crits. Anyway, thankyou all so much for sending the team to the bay crits. It was priceless experience that has improved everyones confidence in the bunch, not to mention that we all had a great time and were pleased to see you all there too! I'll be racing sandown on tuesday, and i hope that i will get to glenvale on Sunday as well, but until then have a happy, healthy start to the year. Jamie

 

On Feb 1 Jamie wrote - Hi. So begins Year 12 tomorrow, and i started off the year on a good note this morning at Glenvale coming 4th in B grade. I've got all of my new text books, and i'm going to be interested to see how i can balance my school with my cycling. I think i will have to become more organised to make time for everything, maybe train in the mornings more often? Maybe Dan and Ben will have some advice for me! But i'm looking forward to year 12 because (judging by the 9 foot stack of text books in my bedroom) it will be a good challenge. Hope you are all well and staying cool. Jamie

 

On March 21 Jamie wrote - Hi, i am sorry for the loss of contact over the last month or so, but year 12 has really picked up. However, i am coping well with the work and i've got good results in all the SACS i've done so far. Over the past month i have placed twice in B grade and with one more place i will go up to A grade(maybe this will happen at Glenvale tomorow?). The week after next is going to be crazy, because i will be doing the
Victorian Crit champs, the Schools cycling cup and the tour of Coleraine all within 9 days! Training has been going well and Luckily school will be wrapping up soon, so i will have the holidays to train even harder for the winter season. Thankyou

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On 30/3/08 Jamie wrote: This week was my last week of training leading up to the last race of the season. I went up to Mt. Buller over the Easter weekend and did the Buller Classic Run, which I used as my last hard session. Came back on Monday and didn’t do any training until Thursday - I just did an easy run. Both Friday and Saturday were rest days and I went into the race feeling relatively fresh. I had a good swim, knowing I had to get a lead on the stronger cyclists in the age group. I had a good cycle, shocked that I managed to stay away and then had a reasonable run. I ended up winning the 16-19 age group and the series. I will now rest for two weeks and then prepare for the TVDP trials in mid April.

On 14/4/08 Jamie wrote: The past week had been focused on the TVDP trials held on the weekend. Most of my run sessions were either short and sharp or long and slow, nothing to strenuous as i was trying to get my tapering right as well as stay fit. Because the season is over now, swimming down with Bob has been technique more than anything else. On Saturday I had the swim TT first which didn't go to plan at all and i was disappointed with the final outcome. Nevertheless,I went down to the track that afternoon for the 5km TT. I was lucky enough to have two other boys, James and Jamie, who were aiming for the same time as me, sub 17 minutes, so I paced myself with them and ended up running 16:30 for the 5km which is a 45 sec PB for me which I was very happy with. I'm on holidays now so taking some time off then it's straight back into the training for the Cross Country season.

On 28/4/08 Jamie wrote: Last week I tried something different, I 'overloaded' on the training, seeing if it would benefit me as I need to more running, swimming etc. as i didn't have any APS school cross-country on last weekend. I managed to cover a lot of km's in the pool and on the road. After a heavy week, I hung up the runners and speedos and went for a bike ride from the Tassy ferry to Frankston and back with Peter and Stuart and sadly to say all that time i've spent off the saddle showed. My legs haven't felt that heavy and weak for a long time! I have just started school again after a good two week break, and the homework has already started to pile up! My plan for the rest of the week is to carry on with the swimming as usual and do some structured running sessions as I have the second APS cross country race on Saturday and then the Puffing Billy run on Sunday. I will keep you posted with the results.

On 16/6/08 Jamie wrote: Sorry about the lack of communication, a lot has been happening lately. Hope everyone is well. Training is going really well, have been constantly training well and without injuring myself. I had a week of solid swimming, Wind Training and running with a Victorian 3km Road Race on yesterday. I ran a 9:10 2nd leg which put us into 3rd from 5th and it stayed like that for the race so we won bronze. Have just been doing base training except for swimming at the moment so without much speed I was happy with the run yesterday. School has been good, had my mid-year exams this week, so most of my time was spent studying but worked the training around that. Have almost finished my base phase of running, into week 6 out of 6 this coming week, then will move into the speed phase. Will be in touch next weekend, hope everyone has a good week. Speak soon. Jamie

On 26/6/08 Jamie wrote - Last weeks training has slowed a bit because of an injury I picked up from my run last Saturday. I am still swimming because it doesn't affect my knee and is the only thing i can train at the moment. Hoping to be back by the end of this week and hopefully with regular massages won't come back. Swimming is going really well with Claudio and Adam and after a rather slow start to the winter season i feel a lot quicker and stronger in the water. School is going well, into my last week before the holidays so it is dragging a bit unfortunately, but that is school. I hope everyone is well and i hope my next weeks news will be more on my training rather than on injuries. Jamie

On 30/6/08 Jamie wrote - Had some decent sessions last week in the pool and have slowly started running again and will gradually build up from here so i don't end up getting injured again. Had a good ride on Sunday with the guys, went up Humevale where Claudio, Shae, George and I did some strength and endurance up the hill. On the way back I had 2 blowouts but finally got home on a half pumped up tube as the valve broke while i was pumping it up. Despite the huge headwind it was a good ride. I am on holidays at the moment so I can increase the number of sessions now and hopefully get onto the running side of this by this week. Jamie

On 29/7/08 Jamie wrote - Hi Everyone - Unfortunately with my injury prolonging itself i haven't been able to do much training apart from swimming 4 times a week and following the program where possible with the strengthening my core and free weights. Have just got back to school after a good 3 week break which was good. My break was full of appointments and referrals all trying to get me back up and training as soon as possible and all seems to be working as it has gotten much better with a bit of rest but I am ready to start training again. Will continue on my rehab hopefully for not to much longer and hopefully when you hear from me next i'll have some training news. Jamie

On 10/8/08 Jamie wrote - Training is finally starting to go somewhere after a while of none. Running and cycling with no pain in the knee which i'm happy about. Still doing slow,minimal km's not trying to get myself injured again but feel as it feels good. Went to Arnaud on Friday for a massage(pain) session. Worth it though as my leg feels good, also got a look at the team kit which looks very nice. School has been good, working hard trying to prepare for many SAC's that are coming up nearing the end of year, so things pretty hectic at school. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the olympics , will give more updates soon. Jamie

On 18/8/08 Jamie wrote - Weeks training was good, had some good runs and rides, knee wasn't sore at all, which I'm relieved about. Swimming is going well at the moment, some quality sessions been done in the pool.
Unfortunately got a bug during the weekend, so only managed a swim and a slow ride on the wind trainer. But all good now and hope to increase my training load a little heading in towards the beginning of the season.
School is rather hectic at the moment, still got a lot of SAC's coming up and trial exams in September so a lot of hitting the old books from time to time. Jamie

On 31/8/08 Jamie wrote - This weeks training went really well, had some quality sessions throughout the week which I'm happy about. Also had some good times in the TT week last week. Despite not being able to do the run TT, I was happy with the swim TT and the Sub- Max. Although i believe there is room for major improvement, my times are good enough for this stage in the season. I am finally running 25-30 min runs which i haven't done for a while, so I'm relieved that its all happening. School is still majorly hectic with Trial exams coming up, so studying has become the 'in' thing with most students during their lunch times. Anyway I hope everyone is keeping well and will be in contact soon - Jamie

On 14/9/08 Jamie wrote - Had a good full week of training, managed to do 3 swims which incorporated tennis balls into the strength sessions, 3 runs which were good, did a hilly run with a few mates out in Berwick which was a change from my usual flat track so legs were rather sore after the run but overall felt good. Have also been spending a bit of time in the gym focusing on trying to build up some strength. Went out for a long ride Sunday with the group, legs were fatigued but managed 90 odd km's which will benefit me immensely. Have got my trial exams on this week, so have been studying hard throughout the week as well as keeping my training going as well as I can, but have one week of school left then it's holidays where i can concentrate on training more. Will be in touch Jamie

On 5 October Jamie wrote - Hi everyone sorry haven't been in touch, trying to get all holiday homework out of the way before school. So have been relatively busy with that. Training is going well, have had good sessions on the bike, run and in the pool. Did the Kinglake ride which was good and went up to Gisborne to do some hills up there which provided a good change in scenery. I have been concentrating on endurance on the run to try and regain my fitness after my injury and its going really well. Did my first speed session yesterday which was fun but pretty sore today. Went out for a 55min run in the Dandenongs this morning which was enjoyable but am resting up now for the TT week this week coming and hopefully can produce some quality times. Will be in touch soon and will be sure to keep you up to date with all my training as the season approaches. Jamie

On 19 October Jamie wrote - Hi All - Hope all is well. Training has been pretty much non-stop from now till the start of the Season on the 9th of November. Working on speed going into the season, so swimming is hectic along with running, all hard, solid sessions. Did the Glenvale crits this morning, averaging a pretty brisk pace, so was happy with that. Have got VCE 3/4 exams coming up in 3 weeks so have been working hard, cranking through the past papers, so hoping they go well. Anyway will be in touch soon. Jamie

On 9 Nov Jamie wrote - This week was aimed as a taper week of some sort, so backed off training a bit but still doing some good intense sessions. First race was today, very average time but I was expecting that, have been very busy with study and preparation for 3/4 PE tomorrow so wasn't too despondent, but with that said I realize that I indeed need to do some good, hard training sessions to get rid of the cobwebs which I still feel I have as i believe i could go a lot faster. Anyway hope everyone is well and will be in touch soon. Jamie

 

On 13 Jan 09 Jamie wrote - Hi everyone Sorry it has been so long since my last update. Things have gone smoothly since then, happy with the way my training is going and racing aswell. Gearing up for the VSSSA race in February down in Tasmania, so most of my training is aimed towards that. Have also got an Olympic Distance race down in Canberra at the end of January to look forward to aswell. Got 2 good results for my VCE exams, so very relieved about that. Also been working and studying throughout the Holidays so have managed to fit all this in nicely so very happy about that. Hope everyone is well and have had a great start to the new year. Will be in touch soon Jamie

 

On 18 March Jamie wrote - Just an email to thank-you all for helping me get to Perth for the 6th Challenge Series race. It was a very tough course, with a lot of wind. I would say I had an average race by my standards but at worst managed to finish 10th in my age group with would give me 51 points which is a nice addition to my points tally. This has put me in a good position for selection for World Championships in the Gold Coast in September. Again I would like to thank you all for bringing one step closer to my dream.

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On 8/4/08 James wrote - this week is my last week of hard training as it is end of season and i am only striving now to get qualifying time to get into the v.i.s - did not do much over the weekend had it all off to recover from a long season and to taper off a little bit for this coming week. Working on swimming and running at the moment as i need 13.15 for a 1k swim and 16.30 for a 5k run. striving hard to get these times as it has been a goal of mine for a few years now. i am now back at school and looking forward to a good term as last term was.

On 29/7/08 Jimmy wrote - hey Peter training is going very well at the moment with my swimming and running
especially. i have been going annually to the vis for saturday sessions which consist of swimming, gym and running follwed by a recovery session, i have found these sessions to have great help over theses sections. i recently had cross country selections at bundoora, i think i maniged to qualify but not to sure so ill let you know when i find out. back into school mode now aswell being the third week back so a good routine is in place to average it all out - Jimmy

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On 8/4/08 Andy wrote - On the 16/03/08 my local cycling club was holding a 3 stage event race with a 12km Time Trail followed by a 60km road race, then to finish with a 45km hilly road race, I had a crash half way into the 60km race, falling off and took a bit skin off, so since then I had a week off work to recover but was unable to race in the last Gatorade. I'm still not quite recovered, but fully back at work with off season training in action. I am doing pilates and gym strength work everyday, as well doing some light bike and swimming through the week. I have also just enrolled into the Australian institute of applied science, and completing a double diploma, a diploma in fitness, which is a fitness specialist, and diploma in sport, which is athlete support services. Both these courses will help and further my knowledge as a personal trainer and remedial masseur.

On 15/5/08 Andy wrote - Hey guys, well I am fully recovered and back training 100% as off the past 2 or so weeks and everything is feeling really good, the forced break has done my body well, I am riding stronger now then I was last year just from a few hill climbs I do down my way, I am managing to get up the climb quite a bit quicker, and the running is feeling good, which I believe was helped by the strength program and pilates in the gym in the rest period, and keeping up the pilates and stretching will be the key as training increases to stay in postural alignment to maximize training and racing outcomes. the only thing that didn’t feel good starting back was the swimming because I had to stop that completely until I was 100% to stop the risk of an infection, so the first couple of swims felt like I was swimming through mud. Still have the speed which is good, just need to develop that strength endurance back, which wont take long.

On 7/7/08 Andy wrote - Well it seems winter is well and truly here now with the past 2 weeks being very average to train in, all my training is going well I have picked up the swimming a little bit more and pushing out some longer sessions, still feeling good on the bike, did 120k in the hills this morning with some spots I reckon it was close to 0 degrees, and went past a guy who had come unstuck on his motorbike and went over the side, ambulance and police went past us pretty quick so hope he was alright we didn’t see him just the bike off the edge and there were people there helping. Work is going good still helping people get fit and into shape, and help out with any muscular pains or problems, looking forward to next month I will be going to Fiji for 10 days as I have a wedding of close family friends there. Till next time. Andy

On 27/7/08 Andy wrote - Last week was a great week for training everything felt good, after feeling a bit off the week before, people must think triathlete’s are crazy cause I did my long run last Saturday morning before work so I left home running at 6am in the dark and zero degrees, I had a head light with me so cars could see, was good running that time of the morning, but the shitty weather was around all day Sunday so I watched wide world of sport and the Sunday footy show on the wind trainer, this week was good training to took it a bit easier though as I felt I might be getting what every tom dick and harry has, hopefully I past it, Only 2 weeks to go till im going on a holiday to Fiji for 10 days. Hopefully will be warmer weather and will get to enjoy the sun and beach everyday.

On 1/9/08 Andy wrote - Hey guys back from Fiji, Well the holiday was great spending 10days in beautiful 30deg weather, and sitting by the pool and beach all day was awesome, I went over there for a family friends wedding and there was quite a big turn out as 56 people made the trip from the valley to Naviti resort. There were a lot of laughs and great times, while I was over there I went scuba diving on 3 of the days, dived a ship wreck, a wonderful coral field and the 2nd the 3rd day of diving was with Giant trevalley that were up to 70pound and reef sharks nurse sharks and then the big bull sharks came into feed which was amazing to watch them feed as one was around 3 ½ m long, were hoping to get the 5 ½ m tiger sharks to come in but no sighting on my dives.
While I was over there a got a run in every 2nd morning very different conditions running over there compared to here, and did a few swims. Was good to get back on the back once I got home as you wouldn’t want to ride or even run on the roads over in Fiji the drivers are crazy, as our transfer driver was overtaking on double white lines going around corners while there was cars coming head on, and speed humps don’t bother them they don’t slow down! Or they have competitions who can go the fastest between speed humps and this is all in a hiace van! Cheers Andy.

On 9 Nov Andy wrote - Hey guys, Well its getting closer to the triathlon race season for us only 2 weeks away before the first sprint distance is in Melbourne then the following week heading to Adelaide for the Olympic distance race. Training has been going very well the past 2-3 weeks, although the racing at the glen-vale crits has not shown as I am not the best going around corners fast, but i have been working on in so there should be a noticeable improvement next time. Work is going good, still getting people active and fit, and helping them over come injuries. Some other news that is interesting is tomorrow morning being Monday 10th Nov i have been asked to appear on neighbours the channel 10 series, i am not really sure what i will be doing, guessing it is just an extra in the background, not sure when it will appear on tv. Couldn't pass the offer up was to good to say no to! Andy

 

On 8/12/08 Andy wrote - Hey guys - From the last update which was just before the first Gatorade race at st.kilda, well that race the weather was terrible the swim got cancelled and was changed into a duathlon 2k/20/5k - not good when im a very strong swimmer and rely on the swim to get a head start, it was windy on the bike. I managed to get 12th with there only being 2mins from 4th through to me at 12th so i was happy considering i make a lot of time on the swim there I also purchased some awesome race wheels from CBD's thanks Anthony they are awesome - new set of ZIPPs Weekend following i raced in Adelaide Olympic distance, weather was much better then in Melbourne the week before, but the surf was quite a challenge in its self. I made a few minor bad discussions going around the buoys and ended up under them! Lol was not fun at all. The ride felt ok and the run was going good but ended with blistered which slowed me down but still managed to get a PB and a time of 2:08.20 Weekend just gone I competed in a local triathlon at Warragul which was good, but it pored down with rain and was quite windy as the race started at 5pm, and was 500/18/5 the ride was constant undulating hills, and I got to test the new Team Bike out on that race, quite a bit different to the old one felt fast, finishing time was 58.3 oh and missed the first turn on the ride they didn't have any signs should have paid attention at the start. And i have race 2 of Gatorade this weekend at Elwood, so hopefully crack the 1hr mark and get up there! Cheers Andy

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On 29 October Eric wrote - At the moment I have slightly toned town my cycling while i study for my two VCE exams, but once they are over I am free to ride as much as I want. Just under two weeks ago I raced at the Lygon St crits, in both the u19 VSCC state final and also the u19/elite men support crit. After riding there from home and a quick warmup on the rollers I was ready to go. Since the race was 25 minutes + 3 laps, the pressure was on right from the start. I managed to get into one or two breakaways in the race, but it was very hard to stay away since everyone was motivated to win. The course had was around 2 kilometres long, and contained two U turns, with a large straight between them and on the other side 5 shorter straights connected by 90 degree turns. It was a reasoably fast course, but the sprinting out of the U-turns made for an extremely hard race. I fell off the back of the bunch on the final U-Turn becasue I didnt take it tight enough, and my race was over from there, and I finished around 5 seconds back from the winner. I now had 3 hours between races, and so I proceeded to warm down and eat some food, but while I was going back to Dads car to get some more food, I ran over some glass and punctured my front tyre. Normally this wouldn't matter, but since I was on my race wheels, which have tubular tyres, I couldn't simply change a tube, and so I had to change to a spare front wheel which was in the car. After this I registered and got my number for the second race, which was the first proper elite race that I had ever done. I didn't really know what to expect, but I was supprised how aggressive people were, even on the warmup lap. A lesson I will learn for next time is to try and get a good position on the warmup lap, as this would enable me to start at the front. Since I started around 2/3rds back, I never really had a chance to get up the front as the people in front of me got dropped and I had to chase back onto the main pack. Within 20 minutes I was with a group of about 15 people, all of us dropped from the main pack, and simply riding to finish now. 30 minutes later I crossed the finish line, and at the same time got lapped by the riders at the front of the group. Not a great result, but it was good to finish, and I gained a lot of experience from competing at the higher level. Thanks for reading. Cheers, Eric

 

On 9/1-09 Eric wrote - Hi Guys, I'd like to thank everyone for the opportunity to race the bay crits - I learned a lot from the week, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven't updated this for a while, so I have two races to report on. Firstly, In the first weekend of December I raced in the tour of Bright. I did reasonably well in this race, and ended up coming 7th overall in C grade. My best stage result was in the time trial, where I came 4th. Then from last Friday until last Tuesday, I raced at the Jayco bay criterium series, which has 5 crit races in total. On the first day, a 800m course in Williamstown, I started at the back, and so ended up not finishing, after around 15 minutes of racing. The conditions of the next circuit were more favourable although, being a 2.4km circuit around the botanical gardens in Geelong. To top it off, I started in the second row, and so found it much easier to get into the front group. I managed to finish this race, and was surprised when I checked the average speed on my speedo at the end: 46km/h average for 45 minutes!! The next day was a short course circuit near the botanical gardens which included two tight corners and a short hill. I ended up starting near the back again but was able to slowly move up the bunch. Eventually there was a large split, and I managed to get on the back of the front group, but with people dropping off in front of me it was getting increasingly hard to sprint around them and get back on the group. Then coming around one of the corners there was a crash in front of me, making me loose my spot in the bunch as I slowed to avoid the fallen riders. Oli and myself then found ourselves in the same group and were working hard to chase back on until one of the commissionaire's pulled us out. The next day was a 1.2km circuit containing a hill around Portarlington, I managed to start in the second row on that day, but missed my pedal at the start which meant I ended up in the middle group. Because of the hill there were a lot of splits in the bunch, and eventually a crash in front of me caused me to drop off the bunch, and after 2 laps of chasing I was pulled out of the race. The last day was a 600m hot-dog course around Ritchie Boulevard in Geelong's foreshore. For the third time I ended up starting on the back of the race, but I managed to consistently move up the group and so ended up finishing the race in around 25th position. I have also recently been promoted to A grade CCCC crit racing, since I won B grade on the 23rd of December.
Cheers, Eric

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On 12 Nov Grace wrote - Hey my name is Grace Fryer. I go to Kilvington Girls’ Grammar and I am in year 7. My other interests are Diving, I play cricket for the school and I play the flute. It is an honour to be in the CBD/Degani/Charter Mason team. It was very exciting to go to the Team presentation on the 26th of October, although it was very overwhelming. I had a great time meeting the sponsors and chatting with the other team mates and most of all, THE BIKE! That capped off a big week for me, not only did I join the team but I passed my grade 5 flute exam and had my 13th birthday.I’ve been riding for nearly two years now but only competitively for about a year. I got into cycling because my Dad and brother are into it and I decided I should give it a go. I am a member of the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club and have been since I started cycling.I have just recently started to do a bit more on the track and that is my main focus for this summer and is what I like to do best. My first open is in two weeks and I am looking forward to that and hope that I come away with some results.In training Bob has got me doing longer rides to get my strength and endurance up for the longer races. He also has me racing out at Glenvale every Sunday morning which is great fun. Every week I see all the members of the CBD/Degani/Charter Mason team riding and supporting each other and having a great time. Tomorrow (if I can’t find an excuse not to get out of bed) Dad and I are going to ride down to the peninsular and back. Cheers, Grace

 

 

On 19 December Grace wrote - Hey guys, sorry I haven’t written in a while, I just haven’t had the time! I have just finished off a 3 week block of hard racing, Shepparton Formula Future, Women’s Omnium and the Metro Championships. Well, to start the track season off I went to Shepparton for the Formula Future junior track open. It was only one day which was lucky. The events were 500m TT, a 1666m pursuit, sprint and a scratch. I started the day off with a confident 500m TT and came second to a NSW rep girl which was pretty cool. Unfortunately I didn’t do all that well in the pursuit; I just wasn’t in the zone! Anyway I came back afterwards and had the sprint heats. There were only six in my age group so we only had 1 heat and I came second but unfortunately only the winner got through to the final but that doesn’t matter, next was the scratch and I came fourth. It was quite a surprising race, there wasn’t a lot of tactics but the faster girls picked up the pace and started to drop one girl, but then there were a few jumps and that left the NSW girl, and two others and me! I stayed with the group until the finishing straight. The Omnium... On the day there were only 3 entered in the U15 category but one was sick so it only turned out to be me and another girl which was a bit pointless but oh well! First off was the flying 200m, and I won by two hundredths of a second! A personal best. I was very surprised about this race because usually I cannot sprint. It gave me a little bit of confidence for the next race. The next race was a 3km scratch race (12 laps), but it was pointless to have to do 12 laps with only the 2 of us so the officials cut it down to 4 laps (basically a sprint derby!) unfortunately she beat me but only by a little bit. Next was the individual pursuit, I was really looking forward to this because the Pursuit is what I want to focus on this summer. In my age group we usually do 8 laps but this time we did 6 laps. I did 22 second laps the whole time except for the last lap when I accelerated to a 21 second lap, but unfortunately I got second by 3 seconds. Next was the points race which was supposed to be 5 km (20 laps) but got changed to 5 laps, sprints at 3 and 1. I won the first sprint, and my competitor won the second and therefore the race. The last event was the 500m time trial. My Shepparton result gave me a little confidence for this race and I managed to pull it off. I did a 43.3; another personal best and good enough to win the race. So we both won two races outright but her win in the points won her the overall title. Still I was very happy with my performance and received some lovely prizes. It was a fun day and great to be surrounded by so many talented riders. I also got to talk to Anna Meares who came down for the day (Arnaud took a great photo of Anna and I which appeared on the Carnegie Cycling website). So finally to the Metros… Saturday was a very, very long day, we arrived at 8.00am for registration and warm-up, for a 9.00am start and we got home at about 6.15pm. Because from U11 right through to Masters, there was a very long race between each event - especially if it is a timed event! First up was the 500m, now I was looking forward to this because of my previous results I had a little bit of confidence in the event, but it didn’t turn out so well, I didn’t really click and get the speed and rhythm and I got 45 seconds which isn’t my best result. After a VERY long wait was the flying 200m, usually we get three laps to wind up the track and then start the timing but on Saturday we only got two, which worked better than the three laps I think so that was lucky. I was very happy with my time – 14.87secs – as this was my best time. This was only qualification for the sprint heats and because I got third in the 200m I was racing against the second fastest time. The sprints were best of three and I won the first one but the other girl won the second one so we had to do a decider which the other girl won. This meant I was racing for bronze. Before the race I was talking tactics over with my Dad and we had decided that I should go out early and hold it because the girl I was with doesn’t have a lot of endurance but is a very good sprinter, so that is what I did and it worked! Now of course there was another very long wait before the next race so I talked tactics again and we decided that I would do the same thing as I did in the last race and once again it worked! So I ended up getting bronze for the sprints! That was all for the Saturday but I still had the Sunday to go. The Sunday was the Pursuit and the Scratch. I was very excited about the pursuit because I hadn’t done a full length one in ages. The night before and on the way to the track, my Dad and I were talking about what lap times I would do and we agreed on 22.5sec laps and this would get me somewhere around 3.06 for the whole eight laps. I realised after the first couple of laps that I went out way too hard but I tried to hold it. I knew I was fading but not by much, I really pushed myself and after the race I could hardly walk! It turned out that I went out at 21 sec laps and faded to about 22.5’s but I ended up with yet another PB with three minutes flat! This pushed me up to second place so I was riding off for gold. We decided that I would be on a schedule but also racing the other girl, but the other girl was too strong for me and I got second but still with a time of 3 minutes flat! Next was the Scratch race, I was feeling confident about this one and I thought I could stay with them, which I did until they broke away and somebody swung up into me and slowed me down. This meant that the girl that swung up into me was now in front of me and I was trying and trying to get around her but I just couldn’t and I ended up getting fourth which wasn’t great, but I guess it is all experience. It was great to have some of my team-mates cheering for me in the stands, - that really made the day for me at the Omnium and the Metros, and it was good when Bob came along for my last couple of races at the Metros (although I was also a bit nervous with him watching on!) Now I am off for a bit of a holiday before I get back into some serious training aiming for the States. Well I am finally finished and thanks for reading!
Grace Fryer

 

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