One night in Hong Kong

What was supposed to be three days and nights in the city of Hong Kong enroute to Europe, almost didn't happen for me. I arrived three hours before what I thought was my departure time at Auckland Airport, when I was given the news you don't want to hear every day. 'Sir, your flight has already gone, the departure time was 0530am not 1730pm' my mind went blank, with a single word being uttered from my mouth 'SHIT'. I was so organised in the few days leaving up to this moment, I almost surprised myself at how on to it I was. Things were organised, packed, sent overseas, money changed, doctors visited, bike antisquishified, and I still had time to visit friends and family. There was that uncomfortable feeling that you have forgotten something major (last year about the same time, upon checking in I remembered leaving my passport under the photo copier lid, this is while trying to be organised with copies of it), or something bad was going to happen. Well it had, I had, in a moment of numeral dislexia (sorry it's a left handed affliction) I had misread the departure time by a whole 12 hours. What a mess, I had to get this sorted, with the least cost, and most advantage, it was going to be hard. What to say in times like this came easy, for those that know me, one of my many catch phrases is 'your kidding', it was perfect for now.

A quick trip to the ticket desk explaining my fuck up and everything started to fall in to place again. Lucky I had a little bit of a breather in Hong Kong, this was not going to cause to much problems for the on going flight past there. My ticket was looking like some sort of eighties T-shirt as it was, it was not going to get any worse. Auckland-Sydney-Hong Kong-London-Amsterdam and then a couple of train trips to my house in Holland, just now, my grand plan of splitting 25 hours of flying into two was rapidly slipping away. But things worked out alright, with a delay of one day only, I was back on the same flight the next day, at 5.30am, this time I would get it right. One more night in my own bed, some good food, a little bit of vodka (actually a lot, but for my nerves mind you) and an early trip to the airport and things would be back on track again.


Nice to see whats inside my bike for a change. Hey which one is it?




Some great views can be seen at night just by looking up


The light gave this sculpture an eerie look at night


Old meets new, such a great piece of neon framed by some bamboo scaffold


Some of the many dried bits and pieces on display, ready for your consumption.

For a few more photos of this trip, have a look here. As always the best way to view these is the slideshow button at the top, gives you almost a movie like experience, enjoy.

Tour of Wellington Part 2.

The girls were getting a bit keen on looking on the hills for the days stage, so a few of them headed up to the hills to just see if it is what they thought it might be like. The area is famous for it’s white wine, sheep, hills, with many vineyards dotting the area, sure looked good. With the hills bone dry, it was feeling hotter than it really was, but nowhere as dry a Australia the week before. Being Bottle bitch for the week, so far it has been good, nice and relaxing. With two mechanics with us, it was the logical thing to do, and a chance to see how the other side lives for a change. For the mechanics the morning is a busy time, checking and oiling the bikes, checking pressure and those last minute details like the adjustment of the gears again, etc. Then usually we check every nut and bolt on the thing, the tuning again, the integrity of the frame and various other important checks and adjustments. Then we have pack them nice and safe on, or in the vehicles, check the maps for the start town, work out some tactics, make a plan of attack. Organise the transport home, get some lunch for the car organized and many other very important details. It may look like we are standing around waiting for the girls and the start, but we may be thinking up the nature of our racing plan, or some other amazing configuration of bike etc, not a moment wasted.


The beautiful dry countryside of Martinbourgh.

Whereas the Soignier (the European name for, masseur, feeder, etc) seemed to me as to have it pretty easy, I got up, filled a few bottles, got some ice and threw it in the chill box and in ten minutes I was done for a the next few hours. Driving to the start was easy as I followed the team car (as opposed to navigating), put a few bottles on the bikes, then relaxed while the mechanics fussed with the bikes for some more. I then watched the start, then found my way to the feed zone and chilled out (sleeping is not uncommon for most of them at this stage), here I wait for a couple of three hours for the riders to come through, pass them a few bottles, then meander through to the finish. Here more sleeping is done while I wait for the race to finish. And they call this hard work. I think I may have found my new vocation. But as you can guess, I was rather bored with the lack of work, not too soon into my temporary position. As you might have noticed, we have a kind of love hate relationship with these guys. They do work, I’m sure I have seen it somewhere, along the line, (nah only kidding if any of you are reading this), I might have to look harder next time. Nope, they do play an important part, and, in the big tours, with a big team, they do a fantastic job, and they do remind us daily how important their job is.


Somewhere on the roadside, doesn't look picturesque, Masterton.

So next up was the circuit race through the town of Gladstone (there was one pub, so not technically a town, but just don’t tell the locals), around a 30km circuit for 5 laps. Pretty boring for the girls, and for me, waiting on the side of the road for lap 2 for the first feed. I found the feed zone, what looked like a shearing shed in the background, this, after many screams from some large pigs, we found out it was the local meat works, so there was some rather nice, soothing country sounds to help us sleep. The girls almost asleep on the first lap, with the temperatures rising into the mid thirties (‘c), the speed was slow, just over one hour for the first lap, man it was going to be long boring day. The race sped up a little bit more with the next lap, a few sprints for the king of the mountain and the sprint jersey, the Kiwi’s were in all the action. Winning the sprint jersey (Marina D) off the Aussies, but by the time they come past me the bunch was sleeping again. Nothing much happened, a bunch sprint, and a third place for the team with Loes Makerink on the podium.


One of the last few bunches up the hill. Loes M, left and Loes G,right.

Next stage was the ‘Mountain’ stage, this was looking like the deciding stage for the tour, with the leader changing from one T-Mobile rider, Ina to Judith. This she won convincingly, with a minute or so to the nearest on GC. The race was almost done. All of our gang came in pretty easily, but there was some slow riders coming up the hill later on. It looked like it was a rather hot day out there, as most of the girls were looking pretty fried as the passed over the finish line. No dramas for the boys in the car, none for the feeder either, but I might keep off the bacon for a week or two, as those piggy sounds are still ringing in my ears.


What a beautiful day for TT, man I love this country.

A quick drive back to Lower Hutt for the night, for the last two final stages. A short Time Trail, of 12km in the morning, and a hour long crit in the afternoon around the city streets of Wellington. Driving around the TT course in the morning sun was amazing. Just a few short meters from Wellington airport, was the town of Seabourne. With a beautiful course, following the coastline around some nice pristine beaches. My passengers were in awe. It always is nice show off a bit of my own country to the team, especially when we can leave our capital city and ten minutes later be driving a coastline with not a sign of human life around (except the road of course, and the navel base, and a few walkers). The coffee to start the day, was great, the wind was down, the sun was up, what more could we ask for. The racing started with the slowest first, the girls were pretty relaxed as the first riders were coming through the finish chute. With one minute start intervals, and only 57 riders left, it was going to be a short stage. All the gang did well, finishing well near the top, with Susanne getting on the podium with a third place. Judith Arnt (TMB) kept her lead by a win of 1 sec to a Kiwi, with just a crit to come, unless a bad crash happened, she would retain the lead.


Susanne out on the course, looks good enough for a swim.


Waiting for the start of the crit, Wellington Central.

The afternoon crit came around fast, a nice small circuit of less than a km around Wellington central. Great weather, even some spectators for a change, plenty of great viewing spots for them as well. There was a few other races happening on the course before the girls, so there was a good contingent of cyclists kicking around to cheer the girls on. With in a few minutes of the race starting, the weeks riding was getting to a few of the bunch, as there was riders dropping off the back, left, right and centre. We were trying a few attacks with most of the girls, just to see if we could get away at all, seems like most of the teams were doing the same thing. The racing got very fast a few laps into it, great for the punters sitting on the corners as the girls whizzed past them with great speed pedaling into the corners. But again, we just couldn’t get away, every attack was countered, and we were wheeled in, time and time again. But close to the end, Ina (TMB) managed to get about ten seconds on the field, we chased, but we didn’t have enough left, as with in a few laps she had a good lead of 18 secs, with no other teams chasing, this was impossible to catch back. There was some good work by Ina’s team, messing up the chasers, she ended up winning easily. Marina lost the sprint jersey to one of her team mates, Sarah Ulmer, so all was not lost, she managed to get a second place, much to the delight of the locals.


Madeline racing almost too fast for the camera.

The tour was done, with Ina’s team mate Judith taking out the win, we hit the road. I had a drive back to Auckland, and then back to work for a week in the bike shop. With the other two mechanics away for the week racing, I was going to have a busy last week at work. Leaving Wellington was not so easy, as I packed the car to the hilt with bikes and bags from a few other teams, I managed to hit the mother of all traffic jams. Seems there had been a few things on during the weekend in Wellington, not only the cycling, but some Dragon Boat racing, some major festivals, and a few other events on. Of course they all had to leave town at once, put a few road works into that equation, and we had a very slow exit, 3.5km traveled in 2.5 hours. Not a good end to a great weeks racing, but at least the weather was fine, best I have experienced in the region for years. One more week and a bit at home, then back to the cold of Europe, yeha.

Photo Time

Finally got a little bit of time to upload a few photo albums for you to look at. Got a little bit of my beautiful country, for you to look at and dream you were here. Also some local shots of the wicked city I live in as well.

A quick bike tour of Melbourne, a few bike shops and a bit of other stuff.
Then you can have a look at the start of the seasons racing over in Australia, near Melbourne in Geelong. And some of the first World Cup race for the year, and the finish of the Geelong Tour.

And if you are still hungry for some more, check out the latest form the Tour Of Wellington, with the race report coming up soon.

All of these will be linked through to the photo links here to your right, so you can see yourself later, or show your friends, or whatever you want to do with them. Righto, I will get cracking with a race report on the weeks racing, so that I don’t forget any of it. One more week in NZ, then off to Europe I go, with a few days in Hong Kong along the way for a little bit of R&R. I should be ready for the first racing in the snow and cold of Europe. But that would be an bonus after the last few days of storms and wet weather we have been having here.

Tour of Wellington.

With a single night in my bed, it has already started to feel like the racing season has already started, with few hours sleep before waking, it definitely has. It was nice to be getting organized for a tour in my own country for a change. This I was very used to after years of running around the country racing for myself and friends. I knew where I was going, how long it was going to take, and I didn’t even need to look at a map, man this was going to be great. A few bikes (for a couple of friends), food, bottles and tools etc for the team and I was on the road to Wellington in no time, the shops car was small compared to the truck. For those from afar, Wellington is the capital of NZ, and the southern most city, in the north island. The Women’s Tour of Wellington has been raced for a few years now as has the men’s, but there was a little change this time around. There was not the normal three day tour, followed by the second World Cup for the year. This time it was a five day, six stage race, with no World Cup race at the end of it. Not sure the reason why no World Cup, but as usual probably for the lack of sponsorship in a Rugby mad (or should I say stupid) country for the visiting teams. As per the UCI rules, the first ten teams on the World Cup standings get free travel and accommodation for the race. But been at the ass end of the World, this becomes a very expensive exercise, as you could imagine, and sponsors just don’t want to know about it. Hey if it was a third division rugby team, wanting to travel the world to check out grass on other playing fields, there would be large corporations falling over each other to sponsor it.


Out for a training ride in the wonderful wild Wellington hills.

Most of the European teams that normally race in the Geelong Tour and WC race generally come over here as well and race both countries. But this year the pro teams just didn’t want to come, which is a shame for the local girls really, as the level of racing would not be as high as hoped. Teams expected were the ever world famous and fantastic ‘Flexpoint’ team. This team was featuring the eclectic collection of Susanne, Annette, Madeline, Loes G and our newest rider Loes Makerink. Also traveling with them was the best three mechanics in the modern world, Klass, Christian and yours truly. Some of the lesser teams were also going to be racing with us as well, the German National Selection, two teams from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), two teams from the New Zealand National selection for Europe this season. A few other local teams, with girls placed in teams by the organiser, and T-Mobile from Germany. The later featuring the NZ famous, and ex Flexpoint team member Linda Villumsen. With a start list in the high 59’s this was going to be a very small starting lineup, lets hope they can make it through out the week, otherwise it’s going to be a small field starting for the final crit in Wellington central on the Sunday.



The pre-race briefing, now stay safe and kick some kiwi butt.

Arriving in Wellington I hooked up with the team that had arrived the day before from Melbourne. All the bikes were unpacked and ready to roll into the countryside of the Hutt Valley the next day, so once again I had nothing to do. Again, with enough mechanics to look after the five bikes, I was on light duties again, and pressured into being bottle bitch for the week. Feeding on the course, and transporter and translator for the week, another nice relaxing week for both the staff and riders was in order again. The next day we found a nice quite little climb to train on, not sure what it was called, but we ended up passing the start of the Karpoti MTB course, which the previous day all records were smashed. Nice to see a front page pic of the riders charging through the rivers at the start of the race in the cities newspapers.




The Kiwi A team, not to be confused with the other A Team (of TV fame).

The next day we started Stage one with a small criterium around the old Avalon Studios in Lower Hutt, just up the road from the hotel, which was convenient. The race was fast, with some of the slower riders (you know who you are) coming off the back in the first few laps. I was positioned around the back of the course with the spare bike and wheels just in case of any problems. After a few laps the wind had picked up pretty high, with some mean gusts coming over the course (high wind in Wellington, what a surprise). The wind was the cause of the first accident, blowing a couple of the girls into each other (at least that’s what they thought) not too far through the race. I sprang into action, raced across the road to the pileup of girls, what looked like one of us at the bottom of a pile was not, thank god. But there was some good carnage there all the same. Some pretty smacked up bikes, I managed to get most of them going in a matter of minutes, much to the astonishment of the bike support guy, who just stood there in disbelief. Some harsh words of encouragement to a couple of cry babies, and the crash was clear but for a couple of girls down. One of them had a nice big gash on her thigh, as some nice person just happen to smash a bottle here not too long ago. I think she managed to find the biggest piece of glass as she slid down the road on her stomach. But she was fine, but I couldn’t pull my camera out for that opportune shot of her gash, as her eyes were still full of tears, I do have a conscience sometimes.



The pace was fast around the small course.

The crit carried on for an hour, plus three laps, with the T-Mobile rider Ina Tutenburg taking out the sprint and the leaders Jersey. Day one was done, no problems, no girls sliding down the road, and a good showing of our shirts in the front, things were good. Again our team was here just for some riding, training and to test the legs with a little bit of early season racing. Nothing too stressful, but a nice relaxing tour, we would let all the other teams fight for the wins during the week.

I must say it was nice to see so many Kiwi’s racing for a change, they were looking good in their black kits, and white for the B team, very professional for a change. They had some of the better riders hooked into race for the week, so it would be interesting. Riders such as Sarah Ulmer, Joanne Kiesanowski (man I got to find out the right spelling for her), MTBer Rosaria Joseph and a few of my Auckland favorites, including Marina Duvnjak (same as above) and Tony Bradshaw to name a few. This was going to be a good test for the girls off to Europe this season, a chance to work in a team, and to race some pretty good talent for a change. It should be interesting towards the end of the week as most of them underrate their own abilities when pipped against some of the professionals. They have got to realize they also work jobs or go to school during the week. They also don’t have some of the same resources like equipment and coaches etc available to some of their competition. And many other points that they have to take that into consideration as well when they are measuring themselves up next to them.



The wonderful Joanne Kiesanowski from Univega, Kiwi A team this week, can't be that bad.

Stage two was from Martinbourgh, through the countryside and up a couple of climbs to Masterton. Nothing much happened here, but a break an hour or so into the race, with a small bunch away to about 5 mins to the bunch. But this was shut down by one of the girls training for the Track Worlds, riding an effort off the front for an hour or so. Bunch was group near the finish, with the sprinter Oenone Wood taking the win, with our new young rider Loes M getting second place not far behind. Our first podium finish for the tour, and not the last by any means. Now, a few days in Masterton, in a nice looking hotel, some great food, some fantastic local wine and more relaxing. The week was looking good weather-wise, from bad reports for the end of the week turning into some fantastically fine days, with sun from start to finish, I’m glad they got it wrong. The local surrounds were almost as dry as Melbourne’s dust fields, with the hills giving the view a great golden hue over all horizons.


Loes Makerink on the podium.

We went out later that evening to scout the next couple of stages, as there was some good climbing coming up and we wanted to be prepared for this. Stage three was a small 30km circuit around the town of Gladstone. Well we were looking for town, but all we came across was a pub in the middle of nothing, just one lone pub, but being a rural area, this is great as you can drink and drive and no one would even notice, cause we saw nothing.

Part 2, soon.

Almost home again.

I was lucky to sneak my mountain bike on board the flight to Australia, (new idea for not paying excess; pack all your clothes in the bike bag as well, then you only have one piece of luggage, they can’t bear to charge you extra) as there is some pretty good riding in, and close to Melbourne. Flying without a bike would just not be the same anyway. With my local host and fellow Singlespeed fanatic, Ugly, I managed to slide away from the team on a couple of occasions, remember this was a holiday, and what holiday would be complete without a riding a few trails. Riding in the city confines on my day of arrival was sweet, especially with all the trails that follow the Yarra river for many kilometers. They really know how to set up a city well for the commuter and cyclist in all of us.


Now just down this trail and through the rocks. Yu Yangs.

On the teams rest day, we headed towards the Yu Yangs, a small group of mountains just north of Melbourne. This is what I would call a classic iconic Aussie rocky ride. With trails scattered over a mountain or two, with something for everyone thrown in. We rode some pretty sweet freeride trails, with some awesome use of structures and the natural rock faces. Some of the trails were hard to read as they just seemed to go over some rocks then turn in the middle of them with out any warnings. I found myself scratching my head, on top of some of these rocks wondering where the trail left off. We walked up some of the Downhill runs, sorry too scary for me on my 29er rigid Singlespeed, and the last thing I need at the start of the season is some broken bones again.

The ground under tire was rather crunchy, no other way to describe it really almost like riding on some roasted muesli, that moved in strange ways underneath. The climbs were short and sweet, but the payoff was immense. There was some rather wicked trail design, from what I hear almost the work of one man, that just had you puckering up and hanging on while running over it. There was also some nice Cross-country action, with some very windy singletrack to hoot and holler about. I didn’t see any of the wild life, some lizards and kangaroos were on the same trails apparently, but my concentration took precedence. Every time I was looking in to the distance, sightseeing, the odd tree and rock just seemed to jump out at me.

Later on in the week, I left the team for Melbourne town, another night in the big city and another forest to checkout in the morning. Today we headed north again to the Wombat forest area. Again some well designed and extensive trail networks in here. With great use of terrain in this predominantly Eucalypt filled forest, the trails just flowed and flowed, the kind of singletrack I dream of. After traveling the world, it’s never fun riding in pine forest after pine forest. I am always seeking out the local look, that classic area that can only be found in this part of the world. Much the same as if we had guests in our town. A trip to Rotorua or the Hunua’s or up to Coromandel would be in order, with some nice natural native bush to immerse yourself into.



Bikes getting their breath back after hammering the trails for the last few hours. Waiting. Yu Yangs.

The Wombat forest area had some fantastic trails developed, some of them a few years old now, and multiple new ones as well. Many of them very nice, winding their way through the natural terrain and local fauna like I have never seen before in this country. A pat on the back, and a cold six of pack of VB (Victorian Bitter, for you non Australasian types) to the trail designers and diggers that had put all the hard work in. Just perfect for my new 29er Singlespeed, a little bit of riding and I was fully dialed in for some gut wrenching climbs, and some hairy, out of control descents. Again the ground under tire was a little bit more hard packed than the ride in the Ying Yang’s, but still a little crunchy. The crunchy stuff being the bark and branches from the eucalypts present, music to my ears. Many fallen trees made for some great trail obstacles, just when you thought the going was getting a little bit easy, a tricky corner with debris was just what you needed.

Sorry but no Wombats sighted, funny that, as I found out that they were nocturnal creatures. But there was many tell tail signs they were all around us, small piles of Wombat shit. What is funny is that they must back their asses up onto the top of little groups of rocks and logs, trying to get thier own turds the highest in the forest. Small mounds of rocks everywhere in places, corvered with little piles of Wombat stuff. Must be a funny sight while out night riding with a sight of them backing up to get it sitting just right.

After finishing a good long lap of the trails, we couldn’t help ourselves, so the best trail had to done again. After a bit more hooting and hollering (internally), a couple of kangaroos hearings (as opposed to sightings) we had had enough. The coffee from a fantastic café called Rays, had just run out, so had the time, so a quick trip home, shower, then a quick fang to the airport, I was outta there. And the Aussie trip was done. Many thanks to my hosts, Ugly and ……., and to Vicky (Batgirl) for the ride, and the accommodation, and the generous use of his van for transport bikes and girls all over the Geelong countryside.


One word says a thousand pictures.

After a nice short flight back home from Melbourne to Auckland, I slept in my own bed (of at least the one I am borrowing for the summer), for a few hours. Then a trip in the car for the drive down to Wellington, to meet up with the team for the Trust house Tour of Wellington. A race tour in my own country, this is going to be great for a change.

Tour of Geelong, Part 2

After the first few stages, the team was starting to warm up to the idea of the first World Cup race. The training races were going well, and the team were having a relaxing time, before and after the races. When talking to people at home they were hearing stories of snow and cold with rain, so it was nice for them to get out an enjoy the sun for a change. All of the other teams had been staying a mass camping site, in tiny cabins for the week, we had found a very nice holiday house near the beach. We could cook our own food for a change, and just relax without all the other teams hanging around peering and gossiping as usual. We get enough of this during the season with some of the bigger stage races, it was nice not to have to deal with it this week.


On the way to the start, watch out!


The last stage of the Tour was at a nice little beach town, not far from where we were staying. A nice little circuit, which we were racing around a few times for the race. The course was really a square criterium, but instead of having the start finish in the little main street, they decided to have it as far away from the town as they could. Some of the organizers should think a little bit about placement when they are setting up their races. A bit of local crowd near and on the start finish always creates a better atmosphere for everyone. Most of the girls just can’t understand their thinking sometimes, it’s one thing the Euros know how to do, and that’s set themselves up for a lot of spectators for the finishes. The beach looked pretty mean, many rips and big waves, so no swimming afterwards, damnit.


Ok, now have you heard about the Aussie and his new sheep...

Nothing much happened for the first couple of laps, a sprint at every passing of the finish line, this speed things up every lap. We were going for the odd sprint, but the girls were just trying to mess things up a little at the front. Coming into the second to last lap, about 500m from the sprint, we see what looked like the whole peloton go down. All hands to the crash, and what a mess, all our girls are either on the ground, or stopped with multiple riders downs in front of them stopping them from riding. I looked up and saw the whole T-Mobile team (which we found out later were responsible for the crash) powering off into to the distance. This was a bad situation for us, so we moved fast to get everyone up and outer there. There was also a pile of the kiwi girls on the road all around us as well, but I held myself back from helping them, sorry wrong team. To make things worse while trying to sort things out there was one of the girls, Dorte, from Denmark, crying and screaming as loud as she could while holding her elbow. We have a saying, the louder they scream the lesser the damage. So I knew she was not too bad as she was screaming at the top of her voice. She later had a broken elbow and some nice cut on her elbow, that’s all, but my own elbow (past accident area) was wincing in sympathy for her.


The crash site, thanks to Cycling News for this pic.

All, but one of the girls were sweet, they were back on chasing the front pack. Annette was out, with suspected concussion, a pretty bruised body and a smashed helmet. Her bike would need some good checking over tonight. The chasers never caught the front bunch, so we just rolled in for the first tour, almost all intact and safe. Can’t remember who finished on the podium, but I’m sure you can find that out yourself. One day off, then the World cup race to come. A couple of the kiwi’s had some scraps and knocks, but most of them were looking good at the finish.

Tour of Geelong, Part 1

Nice view of the city from the Yarra river, notice the cycle lane on the right of the river, weaving it's way under the highway.

I arrived in Melbourne a day or so early to catch up with a few friends and a few bike shops. Melbourne is one of those cycling friendly cities which I just love riding around. With plenty of cycle friendly routes, and some very nice safe cycle lanes, it’s quite refreshing after Auckland City. There is a couple of cool bike shops run by a few of the friends we have met over here with the Singlespeed racing. It makes hanging out in bike shops seem all the more normal (I worry about my addiction sometimes, then a minute later I don’t). There are also a few vintage clothing shops that always have the odd cool wool shirts I so long for, makes for some good surprises sometimes. But alas my luck was not so good this time round, jersey that would suit a skinny, 7’ tall person. The coffee is always good, thank god for all the Italian immigrants, the food here is great, if there was one city in this country if I had to choose to live (please keep it quite), it would be this one. But I was here for the racing, not the sightseeing. So after a couple of very good purchases (more later) I made my way to hook up with the team in a small town just south west of Melbourne, for the Tour of Geelong.



Remnants of a time gone by.

This is a four stage, three day tour, around the surrounding Geelong area, then we have a day off and then right into the first World Cup of the year. I have not officially started work, but I am more here as an extra, to help out when needed. With two of the riders boys here as well, both of them very capable machanics, I was here for a weeks holiday and some bike racing, just to keep me out of trouble. It was nice to catch up with the team, some of old, and one new. I have been looking forward to getting back to work (sounds strange I know, but it’s true), and back to some European racing. The cool thing is, not having to travel halfway around to do it this time. Nice to see the team struggling with a little bit of jet-lag, but they were all happy to get some sunshine and some fine weather, so it was not too bad after all.

There was only a few of the teams that we race in Europe, racing this tour, with the great cost of getting down this far with team, bikes and all essential equipment. But still there was the best five trams on the UCI list, so it was not going to be easy. New Zealand was fielding two full teams, with the European selection (soon to be based in France for the season) on trail, and also the up and coming younger riders. It was nice to have a few Kiwi’s kicking around for a change. Some of our top riders based in Europe were racing in their respective teams as well, so it was a great feeling having them around for the week, at least I could speak their language. Australia had quite a few teams here as you can imagine, the AIS (Aussie institute of sport) has done a wonderful job here in finding new talent, and with the QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport) with a team or two, it was going to be a tough week.


Cruising on the way to the first stage.

The first day of the tour started with a small TT around a nice little beach front road. No TT bikes were allowed, giving an even playing field for the Euro teams. Meshy Holt hung on to the lead for quite some time before she was beaten by some of the bigger stars of the day. All our team had a great run, no problems, but no podium for us though. With the win coming from a USA rider, Tina Pic. The weather had picked up during the race to a nice brisk 35km head wind on the way out to the turn around. But once were heading home the speedo climbed back up to an average of about 70km/hr, giving the girls a much needed rest. With two stages on today, we settled into some lunch to wait for the afternoon criterium to begin.

The afternoon brought some more wind onto the course, within a small 2km circuit, the climb was about 1km directly into the headwind again, this was going to be interesting as it could split the field easily. There was some strange rule change going on into the start, but I suppose it was to make it easy for the timing with lapped riders being pulled from the race and being awarded the time of the slowest rider, left racing on the course. The race started with a hiss and a roar, the hiss being some of the girls lungs collapsing as they rounded the hill for the first couple of laps. Most of the locals were struggling with the speed, with a lot of the younger Aussie and Kiwi girls getting lapped out rather quickly. We had a good presence during the race, with all the girls looking sweet, keeping up with the best and not even slightly loosing the speed of the peloton. The Kiwi A team was looking sweet, with Tony Bradshaw, Meshy Holt and Sarah Ulmer driving the bunch hard on many occasions. It was a good showing so early on in the season. T-Mobile struck their first win for the year with a nice bunch sprint won by their sprinter Ina Tutenburg. Think we got a 6th and a 10th somewhere in the sprint.


My favourite colour.

We are using the first few races more for training, and it really is great to see the team nice and relaxed for a change. With Klass acting as our director for the trip, a sense of relaxation around the races was the order of the week. The next couple of days saw some pretty safe sort of racing from the girls, and some good racing starting to evolve from some of the other teams. The 3rd stage at a town called Lara , was 124km long, with a nice little climb up to 28% gradient placed right in the middle. I was relegated to feeding for the day, positioning ourselves on the top of the big climb, ready to replenish their fluids for the long trip down the mountain. It was nice to be in the open, checking out the extremely dry valley the gang would be racing through. It was nice to get some height, and see a bit of iconic Australia instead of paved cityscapes. Most of the teams decided to feed here, and I was watching the locals driving past in disbelief as they passed a massive feed station in the middle of nowhere. Just then we saw the lead motorcycles in the distance, like ants marching slowly over a dry sand pit. With no radios on the hill we had no idea what was happening in the race, but it looked like there was a little break in the bunch. Far away was the rest of the bunch, following in the distance. It seemed like forever for them to come close, but we were looking at them approaching from about 5km away. I timed the gap to about three minutes, not bad with about 40km to go after we feed them.

By the time the leaders were upon us, the first bunch had split on the way up the mountain, with one of our girls in, I was happy. The main bunch managed to close the gap to about one minute at the top of the climb, so it was going to be a close finish. The hill managed to claim a few casualties on the way up, with about 10 girls near the back, walking their bikes up the steepest parts. But the road was shit, with lots of corrugations and loose metal covering the edges, with nasty corners so steep you could almost reach out and touch them in front of you, I was surprised not to see more walkers.

The race continued, so we headed to the finish to see the gang home. We then heard of a big crash on the descent off the mountain involving two of the Kiwi team, one of them catching a ride in the ambulance it was so bad, I was hoping it wasn’t one of the girls who had been chosen for Europe, especially after they had worked really hard to get selected. The race had split up a bit in the last few kilometers, with some of the major players in the front bunch. It came to a sprint, but we were not so lucky.

Part Two Soon.