A new year, a new phase and a new team!

It has been a while since I last updated my blog. The past four months have been personally tumultuous and life has taken me down a very unexpected path. There were moments that I questioned what I was doing and why, then times remembering what I had already invested into my sport and the passion I have for it. I decided the best way to get through this time was to throw all of my thoughts, emotions and physical energy into being in the best possible form for the Australian National Road and Time Trial Championships held in Buninyong, Victoria in January 2010. I joined the Regional Academy of Cycling Excellence (RACE) and immediately found being a part of such a professional set up and riding with such competitive riders has already taught me many new skills and as a team have we have already achieved some excellent results for the 09/10 season. I highly recommend you browse the links on the side of my blog to find out more about our invaluable sponsors.

2010 Australian Road Open Cycling Championships

Wednesday 6th January: Australian National Time Trial Championship

I was looking forward to the TT. I had ridden the course countless times and was looking forward to racing the TT using top quality equipment for the first time (a huge thank you to Peter at Topgear cycles for use of a TT bike and Stu at Cycle City Ballarat for use of a Disc wheel).

I had no expectations on overall positions or times, as most of my training had been geared to the road race. I thought if I could get in the top 20 and ride a reasonable time I would be happy.

I was the 7th rider out of the start house. I caught my 1 minute competitor before the top of the climb. I settled into a good rhythm along the undulating section of the course, trying to ride as hard down the hills as up. Along the long flat section of the course, I tried to keep my speed and cadence high. At about the 7km to go mark, I caught my 2 minute competitor.

I rode as hard and as fast as I could for the final 5km downhill section to the finish line. I had no idea how long I had been riding for or what speeds I was averaging. I crossed the line and recorded the 2nd fastest time for the day. To my surprise my time lasted for longer than I expected.

Once all riders were home I sat in 20th position overall (15th Elite). I was pleased with how the day went. There are a few things to think about and work on in the future, but it is all experience. One down, one to go!

Saturday 9th January: Australian National Road Championship

During the week I had kept a close eye on the weather forecast for the road race. The initially forecast was 38 degrees, but it gradually decreased to 34 degrees. The forecasters got it all wrong and it had already hit 37 degrees by midday. By the time the race kicked off it was 40 degrees. Not only did we need to combat 10 grueling laps of Mt Buninyong, but the scorching temperatures as well. The road temperature was recorded to be over 47 degrees and was evident with parts of the course melting away. In discussion with my coach Dan Dwyer, I used pre-cooling before the race and had a hydration plan to drink a bidon a lap to prevent dehydration. That worked well for me.

Early on many girls were severely affected by the heat and had to pull out within the first few laps of the race. There was an early attack by International sensation Judith Arndt who rode solo for most of the race. I sat in the bunch, feeling as comfortable as possible in the conditions.

On lap 6 the main peloton split on the feed section that left a group 25 chasing Arndt and a group of around 15 not too far behind. Over the final 4 laps numerous riders abandoned the race leaving 29 competitors to finish the Championships out of the 71 that started.

I finished 26th. I was very happy to complete the race. In the 09 Championships, I only managed to complete 3 laps of the course and this year I finished in very tough conditions. I am looking forward to another year of solid training and racing and being much more competitive in 2011. So things are looking positive.

Next major competition is the Tour of NZ at the end of the February.