Santos Women's Cup

After racing the Victorian State Titles road race in our own backyard both Kate and I packed up our bikes to head over to Adelaide for what would be my first time racing the Santos Women’s Cup!

We were both real excited to be lining up for what was sure to be some more aggressive women’s racing and also to experience the atmosphere of the Tour Down Under.

After an early flight we made our way to our accommodation with Nik in Glenelg and proceeded straight to the coffee shop to kick start the day. We then put our bikes together and set off to roll the legs out from yesterday’s road race. The beach side suburbs of Adelaide are beautiful, but surprisingly still very relaxed and laid back, nothing like our beach road in Melbourne! We were all very thrilled to spot numerous pro teams, escorted by team cars, also out for their morning roll, but not so thrilled to come close to a collision with the Saxo-Tinkoff Team as they very nearly failed to give way to us at a round about!

We rolled into town early so as to register and get a few laps in on the circuit. Stage 1 was exciting as we were on before the TDU Cancer Classic, so there was a huge crowd and quite an impressive set up. The race was super aggressive with numerous attacks and small breaks forming. Nothing really stayed away resulting in a bunch sprint to finish. We were all really happy with our first race, having fulfilled our individual goals and also making our presence felt as a team. The race was taken out by the inform Kimberly Wells, Kate placed 8^th, Lauretta 12^th, myself 14^th and Nik 18^th.

Lauretta launching an attack in the opening stage #1 of the Santos Cup.

Stage #2 was quite a different kettle of fish! We rolled into the Prospect course, and the hotdog circuit looked brutal. It consisted of two fairly short and quite narrow straights which seemed only long enough to get up to speed before you were braking to take the next corner. From the gun Lauretta got a good start and proceeded to set a high pace for the first couple of laps, this immediately strung out the field to form a single file. There was also a crash on the very first corner which split the bunch from the start, with impeded riders. Nik got caught up in a
crash instantly, being forced to chase rather than being allowed a lap out. I couldn't believe it when the commentator said we had only been racing for 6 minutes and the entire field was blown to pieces! I soon found some rhythm and managed to fall in with both Kate and Lauretta, this was now a good opportunity to work together to bridge up to the leading group. I think we chased for about 10min, just dangling 50m off the back, the crowd were very encouraging and were willing us on to make contact the bunch. Kate and I eventually got there, although this was a relief, it didn't become any easier, as it never felt like you could get a sit, it was just a succession of standing starts out of the corners followed by excessive braking into them! I ended up popping off the back at 20min, leaving Kate to battle it out. Jo Hogan got away and established a substantial lead, enabling her to take the win, Kate again finished in 8^th place, and only 10 riders finished out of the 24!

Kate and I working hard to bridge back to the leading bunch on the ridiculously hard hotdog circuit of stage #2 at Prospect

The team pre race at Prospect

After a rest day on Tuesday, which we spent rolling around the beautiful Adelaide hills, we fronted up to the final stage in Unley. Kate unfortunately had to head back to Bendigo for work. This course looked a lot friendlier. It was a tight little street circuit with two longer straights linked by two very short lengths where you could really only get a couple of pedal strokes in before you start cornering; however still an improvement on the hot dog  The race was super aggressive with the Crino Cycles girls launching incessant attacks. One of the Crino girls eventually got away and was soon joined by Nic Whitburn to form an 18 second gap. The escapees were eventually reeled in with only 5 laps to go. The bell lap saw everyone jostling for position as we all caught the scent of the finish line. On the 2^nd corner one of the girls clipped her pedal which sent her bouncing sideways through the apex of the corner, amazingly she held it up but unfortunately split the bunch. As the front markers put the hammer down a small group of us were left to try and chase. The bunch sprint was again won by Kimberly Wells who had the Santos Women’s Cup all sown up with her classy riding! Lauretta finished 9^th, I finished 13^th and Nik 22^nd.

After the 3 races these were our standings on GC: Kate 11^th, Lauretta 13^th, Myself, 15^th and Nik 22^nd.

So my first time racing the Santos Women’s Cup, has left me keen to do it all again next year, Adelaide really turned it on for us!
Thanks to Kevin at Chameleon photography www.chameleonphotography.com.au for some great shots from Santos Womens Cup as well as Grahame Sonter from Newcastle

Half way through the summer of racing

Sitting on my couch on a Sunday afternoon relaxing.... feel like I haven't had time to stop and relax since Christmas, nearly 3 weeks ago.

After Christmas, I headed down to Geelong to ride as a guest rider for Speicialized securitor for the Michelton Bay Series.

I was excited and nervous prior to the first race, the hot dog circuit, which is always my favourite circuit of the series. Our race plan was to be aggressive, and if it was all together at the end, help Kimberly get up for the sprint. It started off what felt a bit slower than normal (however after comparing the speed to last year it was ~3km/hr average higher) so I launched the first attack for the day. From then on for the rest of the race, I road aggressively, disturbing the Green-edge AIS strangle hold of the race, however no moves stuck.
 Coming into the final 2 laps I made sure Kimberly was up there fighting for the Green-edge AIS train and sat on her wheel allowing no one else to get involved. She launched at the perfect time just before the final u-turn and sprinted amazingly to take the win, and I came home 4^th. It was an awesome race, we had all the jerseys; teams, leaders and I had the sprinters jersey. We were all on a mammoth high for the evening, and I'd like to thank everyone for the kind well wishes too.

Portarlington didn't go so well for me, my seat slid forward and down half-way through the race and I was so overly nervous, jumping out of my skin that I wore myself out by sprinting up the steep hill for no reason other than nerves every lap, which burnt my legs stupidly.

The final day of the series I re-collected myself, Williamstown course suited me better and I wanted to take on the race like the first day. Kimberly was still sitting in third and it was still possible for her to move into 2nd on GC; we were also still 2^nd in teams behind Green-edge AIS so still plenty to ride for. We wanted to try to put Green-edge on the back foot again, so as soon as we started and came out of the first round-about I launched a attack and got a gap of ~50m straight away.
 I kept this move going for the first 5 laps and Green-edge was required to chase just as we had wanted. As soon as I as caught, there was a group of 6 of us just off the front and the counter attacks came, I followed them all as I couldn't see my team mates and both Mel Hoskins and Peta Mullens were there (Kimberly's rivals for GC). The pace backed off a little bit at the 25min mark and I saw Kimbers and Amy come to the front, so I went to the back to take a rest (the back of the 22 riders left anyway). After taking a breather for 3 laps I was about to start moving forward, still feeling tired but eager to get back up their and help my team mates. Suddenly a rider, not to be named, pushed me out of the corner, in the ribs and I basically came to a complete stop and was suddenly 30m off the back of the bunch, at the same time someone attacked at the front and I was 50m off the back. I tried chasing for another 3 laps but it was a futile attempt as I wasn't strong enough to get back on with the pace of the race and the work I had already done. In hindsight I should have let myself fall instead of holding myself up, at least I would have gotten a lap out instead.

At the end of the series, Kimbers finished 3^rd in GC and we got 2^nd on teams, so a successful week none the less.

There was then a week between Bay series and National championships this year, which meant most of my competition were resting up and getting ready, however off I went to work on Friday directly after Williamstown and Monday through to Wednesday the next week as well.

In the National Criterium I was back riding for myself in our BCS SKODA Specialized colours and everyone (family and support crew) was telling me to not be so aggressive early on in the race and save my legs for the last 15-20min. Although it pained me to do this, I did it exceptionally well, sitting in and following like I had never before, and my legs actually thanked me for it on that grueling hot dog hill in Ballarat. I was off the front at 7 laps to go with Tarryn Heather for 3 laps, however we never got very far ahead and I didn't push too hard. Coming into the final lap I was positioned well however coming down the hill for some reason I put myself in the middle of the second row, although all race I knew the quickest line was the outside of the final u-turn. I got swarmed on the bottom U-turn and came out of the bottom corner in 10^th place... race over so barely even sprinted, ended 15th. Plenty of positives and negatives from the race.

Back to work again Friday (the life of a non-professional cyclist) before Saturday's road race.
With the new course changes I wasn't sure whether it would be a positive or negative change for myself, although less climbs is definitely an advantage for me.
You can all read the stories of how the end of the race played out on womenscycling.net OR cyclingnews.com. I finished just off the third bunch, we had formed this bunch on the road when the hammer went down on the third last time up Mt Buninyoung, then on the final time up I was unable to sustain the same pace as them up the hill the last time. I was happy with my ride, and looking at my data this year compared to last year the race was a lot faster up the climb every lap as my power was generally 30-40 watts higher each time, and the fact I was still able to sustain that until 2 laps to as well as sustaining higher watts when I was dropped is a positive in itself.
Well done to Gracie for an amazing ride for the day.
Now I look forward to racing with the BCS girls again over the next 3 weeks at the Victorian State Titles Road Race in Bendigo next weekend along with the TDU Santos Women’s Criterium series in Adelaide followed by the Bendigo round of Cykel events, women’s Grand Prix, before I give myself a little break and holiday with my lovely sister back in Adelaide.

Hot hot hot, are three very apt words to describe the Victorian Criterium Sprint Championships!

Jo Wall tells a tale of Melbourne Sprint Champs, Dec 23rd

The day started off on a much cooler note, as we were fortunate enough to have the use of the Bendigo Cycles shop van to travel in style and coolness down to the crit, we were able to fit all 4 Specialized bikes, trainers and the marque in one vehicle which enabled us to enjoy each others company and also interesting tastes in music! Kate was adamant that the Cd's were already in the van when she collected it but that sounded like a cover up from the start!

 

Stepping out from the coolness of the van we were nearly bowled over by the oppressive heat when we arrived in St. Kilda. We set up the marquee in the finishing straight and then it was time to jump on the trainers and warm up the legs. As it was already about 40 degrees I was conscious of only doing enough to loosen the legs up as it was going to be a long taxing race.

We were all called up to the grid for the start, everyone was just wanting to get things underway, as crazy as it sounds it was hotter just standing still. We had planned to have some team organisation off the start where we intended to set a steady pace from the start. We ended up being separated and in what was a bit of a hectic neutral lap, couldn't manage to make contact as a group.

So the race was underway, Kate and Lauretta were making a good impression up the front, riding aggressively and chasing back the breaks, myself Nik, Taylor and Carly were mixing it midfield. The pace was solid with some small breaks forming and the pace ramping up for each sprint, which were every .6-8 laps. Kate was placing consistently in the sprints and accumulating some valuable points.

It was hot work, I found myself with an empty bottle within 30 minutes, thankfully some of the spectators in the start finish area were dousing us with a sprinkler hose each lap, the cool water on your broiling skin was instant relief for about 10seconds!!

At about 45min there was a solid attack and a substantial break formed with about 10 girls up the road. Kate was in the front group, so we sat back and let the other girls do the chasing.
The groups eventually came together with about 5 min to go, everyone was watching the moves for the final sprint finish.
The sprinters were in position, and the mid field riders around me all sensed it was time to sit up and let the sprint be run and won. Kate was sitting perfectly before the last corner but lost some ground coming over the line, finishing a credible 4th place behind Nik Whitburn1st, Chloe McConville 2nd and Miranda Griffiths, 3rd. Kate also had a good collection of sprint points and finished 2nd in the sprints classification.

As a team it was another valuable opportunity to compete in a high class women's field, gaining some substantial exposure for our sponsors and also learning about how we each handle our race. This experience helps us grow as a team and also gets us thinking about how we want to implement some future strategies for how we can work together as a team for future races.

It was a great fun day out in some fun company and I would like to thank our sponsors: Specialized, Skoda, Symes Motors, Bendigo Cycles, Burkinshaw Roofing, Bendbal Financial Solutions, as it just wouldn't have been possible with out their support. Also a big thank-you to Darren "Turtle" Francis Casey for some good photos of the day.

Summer womens crits have started

So it is well into the summer heat, as well as criterium races and our team has now had 2 great Sundays away racing women's criterium racing.
Being a part of a cycling team has so many benefits and one of my favourites is the camaraderie and craziness that occurs in the cars when we go away racing together.
You learn so much about each other that of course can help you out racing...but sometimes it feels like what happens on tour stays on tour.
You learn who is patient and who likes to get things done yesterday, who is the control freak and who is quite happy to be a by stander and not get involved..... 4 girls trying to load 4 bikes plus spare wheels plus trainers plus bags into a van brings up many emotions.
But enough about the travel, lets talk about racing... Cykel Events is running the Women's Grand Prix again this summer and it is one of our teams goals to go well, as it is definitely the level of event that we are all capable of riding and having an impact, especially with the 2 (or now 3) grades.

So off we headed down to Casey fields on the 16th, Nik, Tayla Evans (as a guest rider for a few races this Summer), Jo Wall, myself and Cheryle and Gary team support, Lauretta was meeting us down there. We headed down in our pretty groovy with lots of buttons SKODA Octavia wagon thanks to Symes motors.... all excited for our first official team race, Jo painting her nails for the first time ever, Kate excited to have company and Nik concentrating on driving, trying to ignore the nerves.
The clouds were clearing as we arrived after thunder and down pours of rain, and we all road a few laps together, commenting on who was going to push the hardest in the prologue and if we could last our 3min effort. We were all off around 10min apart from each other, Tayla first and myself last, long story short, we all smashed it and made div 1, and had 1.5hrs before we were to race. I think this made Tayla nervous but was good to have us all in division 1.
The race was interesting, we had wanted to make it aggressive, and Lauretta got in the first break of the day which lasted for about 3 long laps, it was windy out there and this created a very on again off again race and everyone was very touchy on the breaks. The first sprint came around and Lauretta got on the front for myself, however as we had never practised this before, she forgot to open a gate for me to pass through and when Nicole Whitburn and Jen Macpherson jumped a little early to my right and boxed me in I basically had to hit the brakes hard before going again and got 4th. A crash occurred in the back on this lap with an unfortunate rider requiring a ambulance, so we all had to wait until this happened, it only took about 20min and then we were given 4 laps to go.

Pippa Savage from Total Rush launched straight away and set the final few laps off to a cracking pace, Jo got some grass action and the break had given Lauretta and myself time to discuss our lead out. At 1 to go I was positioned well and it started bunching up, Lauretta joined me and just before the left up the hill I told her to go, I could tell she was tired as e only just got to the front which meant I would have to jump earlier than what I wanted. About 20m before turning left into the final straight I yelled at Lauretta to open the gate and went underneath her and went for it. I knew at 30m to go I was starting to die but kept pushing and threw on the line, to only be beaten by the ever strong Nicole Whitburn, I need longer arms to throw that bit further I think... The rest of the girls finishing the race and having a good learning day. With goals for the future races being described planned and set on the drive home.. Full results can be seen here and timing and points here at MYLAPS

 

Lauretta tells us whats been happening lately on the track

After many months of cold weather track season is now finally upon us. Unfortunately mine started a few weeks later than most due to my year 12 studies and with only two full weeks of training under my belt, the Victorian track cup was my first open for the season. I was a little nervous coming into the open due to my lack of fitness and it was my first event as an Elite woman. The two day event consisted of 3 events, the pursuit, sprint and time trial. As an endurance rider my main goal was to win the pursuit but somehow I surprised myself and won all three events and the overall classification. By winning the Vic track cup, I gained an idea of where my fitness level actually was and it gave me a big confidence boost and motivation.

After two more weeks of training I raced the Victorian Open and Para cycling Track Championships. This event is particularly important to me as state selection is based on your performances at this event. I arrived early Saturday as the last thing I wanted was to be rushed for time. This did mean a few hours of sitting around but this allowed me to relax and organise myself. Soon enough I was on my bike warming up and planning out my race, because I have just moved up to elite women, my pursuit distance has increased from 2km to 3km. Having only ridden my first one two weeks prior I was still learning the best way to ride it for me. Finally it was my turn, I was locked in the gate with my coach, Brad Robins, standing off to the side with schedule and stop watch in hand. Usually I go out easier and come home hard but this time I went out harder and hoped to sustain it. About half way through I could see the other rider in the same straight and when you reach this stage it is just like chasing a rabbit. The problem is once you catch and pass them there is nothing left to chase with 1km to go, my legs began to die.

Despite this, I still managed to qualify first with a 5 second PB in a time of 3:50.735.  In the final, against Imogen Jelbart, I didn’t go out quite as hard, and although a slower ride, I felt I finished it better. I finished in a time of 3:52.804 which was enough to win gold.  With my goal of winning the pursuit achieved I could now recover and prepare for the next day’s points score.

Due to the small amount of U19 women, they were combined with our race which was then shortened by 20 laps. I wanted to make a break, but after a few unsuccessful attempts I gave up and decided I should go for some sprints and get some points. In the end I won two sprints and got just enough points to get second in the elite women’s category.

Although I wasn’t as fit I would normally be coming into a state championship I was still very happy with how I rode.  I received state selection and will represent Victoria at Track Nationals at the end of January.

Niks Tour of Bright, 2012

The first weekend in December saw the running of the Alpine Cycling Club’s very popular (sold out within 30 minutes of entries opening); 3 stage Tour of Bright which I was lucky enough to get a entry into (winning already).

With 550 riders across 9 grades Bright becomes a Mecca of cyclists for the whole weekend.  I participated in the tour in 2011 for the first time and loved the environment of the weekend as well as the racing.

Stage 1 The Gap Loop -91k

Stage 1 climbs Rosewhite Gap at the halfway mark and finishes at the top of Tawonga Gap; last year I lost contact with the bunch going over Rosewhite gap and never rejoined. My fist goal for this stage was to be with the bunch coming down the other side of Rosewhite and I achieved this. Some of Men’s C grade came round us going up the gap; we then got slowed up as the rest of their race came around us coming down the other side. This neutralized our race for a few km, just when we got moving aging we got told to go single file for the A grade men; a few frustrating interruptions, but part of racing.

After all that I was feeling great at the bottom of Tawonga, then I nearly lost my back wheel on the corner. I didn’t know what I had done wrong then I had that sinking feeling of my back tire being flat. There is no neutral support due to the large number of volunteers that would be required and I hadn’t taken anything to fix a single (big mistake). I knew if I didn’t finish I couldn’t keep going in the tour so after a few choice words I keep on climbing yelling at everyone that went past to see if they had something to help me out. With still4km left to climb a total rush rider threw me a can of pit stop, up went my wheel straight away back on the bike and I climbed the last 4 k. Thank you to Neil form total rush you saved my day!!

1 big lesson learned never race without anything to fix a flat again.

I was happy with my ride till that point.

Stage 2 15.7k Individual TT

This is that stage I was supper excited for after turning my old road bike in to a time trial bike and spending a few hours riding in aero position I was excited and ready to roll.

After a quick chat with fellow team rider Kate, I was excited to put the flat tyre of the road stage behind me. I had talked with my coach Kim Howard on the day and decide I wanted to do a 26 min and I would be happy considering my time last year was a 27.31.

I was the 3rd last rider off I was determined not to get caught. I caught the rider in front of me early I knew this was good but still couldn’t let anyone pass me. I then caught 2 more riders before the turnaround and could see the rider behind me had not put time into me and I wanted it to stay that way until I crossed the line in 25.50. I couldn’t believe it I was so happy a big tick and another goal achieved for the weekend.

Stage 3, Mount Hotham 55k.

The initial 25k to Harrietvile is relatively flat as the road winds along the Ovens valley to the base of Hotham.

Their were 2 sprint on the way Harrietville with the last one being just before the base of the climb, I was positioned well and started the climb in the bunch. I was climbing well to the top of the Meg (not quite half way) then was done. I had nothing left so I settled in for a long day of climbing.

Overall results can be seen here http://my3.raceresult.com/details/index.php?eventid=13607&lang=en

Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyed weekend with some major achievements made and some new goals discovered. Signing out for now, Nik.

Start officialy with clothing!!

Today Sunday the 25th of November racing was on! It was 2nd race of the Symes Motors/Spencers Cafe criterium series with the Bendigo Cycling Club and all us BCS girls were out to race. We had Jo and Kate both competing in B grade and Carly and Nik in C grade. There was a good turn out of 65 riders at the criteriums today held at Mayfair Park. All us girls were in the new kit and well didn't we stand out! All in red and excited to race. Today we were missing Lauretta and Maddy due to other commitments. Today's racing was fast, with everyone racing well and keeping upright. Both Jo and kate held great positions in B grade and mixing it up with the men. Along with Carly and Nik in C grade. After racing we did a training ride out to Huntly, this was good to get all the girls together to ride and support each others training and racing, and mostly to have a bit of fun and support the sponsors whom sponsor us women in the team!

Signing out for now... Carly

Thanks Darren Casey for the photo