Newletters

October Newsletter 08
Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 12:15 PM,
byTristan Pohl

Welcome to first issue of the TFM-Avanti Team Newsletter. It’s been a big month for the team- especially getting the team off the ground and getting the bikes organised! Also there has been training rides to plan and even racing the Melbourne to Warrnambool.

These monthly newsletters will aim at keep everyone up-to-date with our training and racing efforts, as well as our participation with the development of the cycling community.
Race Report
Thanks to Chris, Darious and the TFM crew at Prahran for making this possible!

Chris and Stu raced the Melbourne to Warrnambool on Saturday 26th October. Huge effort guys. Well done to Chris and Stu for finishing with the main bunch and not too far behind the winners. Some disappointment after the race in relation to breakaways that could of been, but otherwise sounds like a good day out. (At least the weather was nice!)

Next Race

14th -16th Nov SKCC Ridewiser Training Camp

6th & 7th Dec Tour of Bright

SKCC Ladies Latte Laps

Rob Croft, member of the TFM and Avanti team and SKCC committee member, organised for us to be at the Ladies Latte Laps on Sunday the 26th October. Unfortunately, Rob sold his bike the night before and Chris and Stu were still down in Warrnambool, so Danny and Tristan headed to Port Melbourne to help out! It was a great turn out- about 35 riders of all abilities, under the skilled direction of Rob Crowe from Ridewiser. Danny and Tristan (as well as two riders from Total Rush) assisted with the instruction of the riders on things like rolling turns, breakaway etiquette and cornering. It was an intense hour of riding for the participants many of whom stuck around and rode the E Grade crit. Thanks for organising it Crofty, it gave TFM some good exposure.

November Newsletter 08
Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 8:35 AM
by Tristan Pohl

The summary…

November was known as the ‘crunch month’ for the TFM guys. With less than a week to go until the last tour of the season on the open Victorian Calendar, the guys have been polishing up their cleats in preparation!
First Impressions
After nearly 3 months off the bike, Danny is almost ready to pounce, and looks the strongest he has in years. Rob Croft is getting back into it, and is motivated more than ever. It’s really impressive the way he is riding at the moment (perhaps it’s the new bike?). Stu Payne is prepping up for Bright, and looks mighty strong- especially after two Hotham’s and two Tawonga Gap’s last Saturday on the annual SKCC camp.

Rob Croft picked up his new bike this week. Fitted with SRAM RED the bike looks and rides brilliant. This is what he had to say

… “The frame is exceptionally comfortable, fits like a glove, and is, in my opinion, stiffer through the BB and in the front end. It climbs really well, seems a lot lighter than what I used to ride. It descends well, [that] is down to the compact geometry and the stiffness of the thing, it is really stiff!… we have made a really good choice with the kit”. (An exceptional review, especially coming from an athlete who has competed in countless Ironman Races, placing highly in each mind you, and a very talented rider). Good work Crofty!

Find out more about the Quantum here

Rider status

Tristan Pohl, after a nasty prang at Kew last week, is regaining confidence and is looking forward to helping Dan smash Mt Hotham next week. Chris Neuman is back on the bike after the Warrny and looks fit for the summer season. Great work guys, summer is looking good!

Latte Laps

The Ladie’s Latte Laps were held again on Sunday the 30th November. It was well represented by the team, with all members attending and assisting with the instruction. A good morning of race practice was had by all. The latte laps are a great way to help members of the club to become better riders.

SKCC Bright Training Camp

Another super cycling camp organised by our own Danny Cohen, was attended by over 40 SKCC members, each in the bid for a spot on the podium at the tour of Bright this year! Three climbs, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Buffalo were attacked over the weekend. Surprisingly, despite the poor weather report leading up to the weekend there was no rain, and as a first there was no snow on the top of Hotham! Danny and Stu were riding well over the weekend, while Rob and Tristan started to really find some form. It was supported by Ridewiser (Rob Crowe) who provided a van that followed us up and down the climbs all day. Its brilliant climbing Tawonga Gap listening to Jet blaring from the PA speakers!

January Newsletter
Thurs, Jan 1, 2009 at 8:35 AM
by Tristan Pohl

Phew…what a huge 2 months we have had: December saw the Tour of Bright and some very poor weather, while January saw the arrival of the bikes, Nationals and the Tour Down-Under in Adelaide!

After the Christmas break, Chris, Darious, Justin and the guys at the shop got busy pumping out new Avanti Quantums for Pikey, Stu, Danny and Tristan. Pikey, who has previously ridden SRAM Red decided to continue with the groupset he loves-so-much, while Stu, Dan and Tristan opted with the Campagnolo Super Record. The guys worked tirelessly to get these bikes done and out of the shop- and mind you they look brilliant! Thanks also to Chris who spent a great deal of his spare time fitting the boys to make sure their new ride was ‘just right’!

The 2009 season looks very exciting- jam packed full of road races and tours. The guys are currently busy finalising their programs aiming for the first race of the season- The Tour of The Southern Grampians (April 4th & 5th ).

Thanks to Chris, Darious, Justin and all the guys at the shop for their on-going support both with the bikes and equipment!!

Race report
Tour of Bright. December 2008. Stu Payne: A grade, Danny Cohen & Tristan Pohl B grade, Andrew Pike Masters 1-2-3. A great tour was had by the guys, with Stu racing against some of the best climbers from Australia wide. Danny rode back into form, especially considering he had only been on the bike less than 5 months, while Tristan had originally planned to use the tour as a warm-up for nationals, a plan which changed very early into the first stage!!! Pikey was the best placed overall finishing 12th Pikey was extremely happy with the result considering the hard field he was up against! Other placings were: Stu 27th, Danny 31st, & Tristan 28th.

Australian Open Road Cycling Championships. January 2009. With a whole year of training under his belt, Stu Payne was ready to take on the likes of Michael Rogers, Trent Lowe, Peter McDonald and Ritchie Porte in this year’s nationals held at Mt Buninyong, Ballarat. Stu rode very well (on the Quantum fitted out with Super Record and Bora Ultra Two race wheels), completing 10 out of the 16 laps (about the same time when the race splintered and half the field was blown apart). Considering the size of the field and the integral part teams play in this type of race, Stu was very happy with the result (he was inspired by the professional cheering by Danny, Rob and Tristan)!!!