All roads lead to Warrnambool
With just over a week until the second oldest and longest bike race in the world the TFM-AVANTI road team is putting all the finishing touches on their preparation for this great race.
Check out http://www.melbournetowarrnambool.com for some more information and history on a classic race.
A few interesting quotes from the race’s history.
- The race was first held in 1895. 50 riders entered, 24 started, and only 7 finished.
- In 1901, Bendigo’s Albert Nion pedalled 200 miles to get to the start of the race. He then defied atrocious conditions to win it in 9 hours, 20 minutes, 40 seconds.
- In 1909, Coburg rider Snowy Munro, 21, embarrassed the Victorian Railways Commissioners by clocking 7 hours, 12 minutes, 51 seconds – 5 minutes faster than the best train time from Warrnambool to Melbourne.
The team will also be backing it up on the Sunday taking part in a new race the Shipwreck Coast Classic.
You Yangs Yowie – Victorian Marathon Championships (99km)
The Yowie is regarded as one of the toughest enduros on the calendar, due mainly to its technical challenges (rock gardens, huge boulders and steep wooden berms in places). This is a race where roadies can’t bluff, and it had me spooked.
I train a bit in the You Yangs and there were a couple of features that I hadn’t been able to `ride’ until the day before the race. One of those was `the clam shell’ – a steep wall of rock that you have to hit at speed to clear the rock below. Unfortunately if you overcook it there’s a 50 foot drop over the back of it… I hoped that the ego would conquer my anxiety and thankfully race pressure and a deep breath got me through it on all three laps.
The race started fast with the Specialised and Torq teams taking control. By the 15km mark we were down to 10 riders and a big gap back to the next group, with the long climbs and technical single track sorting out the riders. The pressure was particularly on up `Vomit Hill’ and `Rockwell’, with gaps starting to open up.
I was off the top guys on the technical uphills but holding my own on the twisty singletrack. Halfway through lap 2 (about 45kms in) I still had the leaders in sight but I was struggling to hold that pace. Sections that were easily rideable on the first lap required immense concentration by the third, with the legs struggling to push the gears required to get over the boulders. I managed to ride everything – just – but may need new handlebars as there will be bite marks in them…
The last 15kms I could see a rider 2 minutes up on the open sections but couldn’t close the gap. I didn’t know how far back it was to the next rider so kept the concentration and heart rate up til the finish.
Given it was my first race in The Freedom Machine colours I was keen to put in a good effort. In the end I managed the 99kms in 4 hours 45 minutes – finishing in 8th place. I was only 15 minutes behind the winner which is usually a good yardstick, and was happy. As a former roadie conquering the Yowie (which doubled as the Victorian Marathon Championships) was particularly satisfying.
Fellow TFM rider Paul Cubbin started the race but, from the results sheet, appeared to have mechanical trouble on the first lap and pulled the pin. I’m sure Paul and I will race together a bit over the next few months as the enduro season builds towards the Kona 24 Hour.
Event info: http://www.gmbc.com.au/
High Country Road Race 2009
Sweet Victory for the TFM/AVANTI Team
Big thanks to Steve for his support and his email letting me know about the race otherwise I wouldn’t have entered.
A grade Open
Judging by Cycle profile I new the climb was early in the race so I thought best to get the engines warm. Steve and I rode to the start of the climb and ended up doing a pretty solid 25km warm up (paid off). Steve and I had a plan was that if we were together over the hill I would work him.
The race began as to be expected quite sedate. We all new the berg was just up the road and the race would soon unfold. From the minute we hit the climb it was on! The attacks came from the two VIS light weights Pat Lane and Eric Sheppard. I reckon they just watched stage 17 of 2007 Tour de France they kept hitting us with one two. Every time I chased one of them down the other would attack. I appreciated there tactics even though It was starting to hurt.
I was fully aware that David Tanner (Rock Racing) was holding 3 or 4th wheel however didn’t know his reputation (pro). About 5 km up the climb Pat went again this time after trying to recover after my last attack I thought best to conserve my legs. Then wack David Tanner flew across to Pat, Eric quickly came to the front faking his breathing. Jason Spencer then came on to the scene he started working from the front, Shep kept trying to hold second wheel. I came over both of them time and time again. Pat and David were slowly pulling away this was no thanks to Shep being in the way. Jason and I just kept chasing with very little help from the rest of the pack. We did at some point get help from an unknown rider in pink.
I noticed Shep close to the top of the climb move back a few wheels. I remember thinking stay off the front for a minute cause he going to go. The Gap wasn’t that far from Lane & Tanner when Shep went. I was on to him quick we both blew up and what was average of 30+km on the climb almost stalled. We lost time on that attack. Jason come over the top and then the pack had formed for the descent I couldn’t see Steve.
The descent was perfect really sweet corners and incredible view of the ALPS. I was disappointed the climb didn’t really kick up (3% – 4%) as most of the pack was together. At the bottom we had began the chase, we could always see them which was good. About 5 or 6 of us commenced rolling turns I new that the race was only 100km so I really wanted a good work out. We left Pat & David hang out, when ever we closed we slowed.
Then from out of no where came Steve. I mentioned to Steve “nice of you to join us where have you been”? Steve replied in his typically subtle tone “hiding at the back of the cars”. Was really good see him however I said go back and rest I will role turns and give you’re a lead out with 500m to go. Felt really good having a team mate I thought we might have a chance.
Tanner pulled the pin he joined the pack we then pulled back Pat. With about 2 km to the sprint point the pace was on. The Chaos had started we could see the flag a mile out and the bunch was ready. We all wanted the ½ dozen wined supplied by Sam Miranda winery. I found a nice wheel behind sprinter James Mowatt (cycle city) when someone came along side and lost it. I battled with the machine to stay up right. I ended up fine however after turning around saw Pat go down.
Tough for poor Pat ended up with a broken collar bone and was rushed to Wang hospital.
I decided to slowly creep away from the pack after the sprint and they let me go. I was showing no urgency though was powering without being too obvious. I had a 200m break within a minute or so. Then Rowan Dever came across he yelled we’ve got a break lets go. I didn’t get out of the saddle I just leaned forward in the TT position and pulled Rowan away while he recovered.
With 23 km to go I had no idea we’d stay away although I did know judging by the way the others were rolling turns (low in the saddle) and the speed in which they organised our last chase I had a chance.
We had slight head/ side wind (felt that way). I new I had to keep the speed at 43 – 44km to keep away. My legs were tiring with 5 km to go Rowan mentioned “if you bring us home and do the work its yours” I declined with a “naa”! However mentioning that I started to think about the victory the pack must have been a minute back. 3km I was so super motivated to go the pace was getting faster we were hitting 44km – 45km. With the final bend in sight I said t Rowan what do you wanna do? He didn’t reply so I said lets sorted it out.
We rode along side each other with 250m to go; I jumped pushing every bit of power out of my body. I haven’t sprinted like that for a long time. I crossed the line with a bike length. Thanks to cycling tips blog I actually remember the victory solute though have never really thought about what I would do.
The pack soon followed Steve was in the mix just getting pipped for the podium.
Steve the girls and I all celebrated at the winery with wine and pizza and my shitty victory speech. The girls had been on the bubbly and showed a little cheer. I highly recommend this race for next year great course and bring your girls the location is perfect for a vino and the famous lasagne that I never got to taste!
Stuart Payne takes high country road race!
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more details soon..
TFM-AVANTI Cycling Team 