CYCLINGNSW/NSWIS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM INVERCARGILL NEW ZEALAND OCTOBER 2008.
Our team departed Sydney Thursday 2nd headed for the YUNCA Tour of the Southland and Trans Tasman Track 2 day challenge. The team consisting of U/17s Jackson Law, Jared Trigg,U/19s Sam Spoke and Jack Bennett. We are accompanied by Cycling Australia’s U/19s Thomas Richards, QLD and Dale Parker SA.
Our flight to NZ was made easy by Air New Zealand who allowed us an extra 10 kgs baggage allowance eliminating excess costs, always a big issue in our travels with bikes. The billets were at the airport to greet their new residents for the next 9 days, in that time after some racing, eating and living together , long term friendships will have occurred.
Our sign on Friday morning was at the now famous Invercargill Veledrome, a 250 meter indoor arena that brings riders from all over the world to compete. One look at this complex and you can see why New Zealand is currently producing some great results, including their recent performances at the Bejing Olympics.
The YUNCA Tour consisted of a Time Trial on Friday afternoon, 2 road stages on Saturday, a Criterium in downtown Invercargill, followed by a road stage on Sunday afternoon. The terrain and opposition is not the only hurdle the riders have to face, Invercargill is the closest land mass in the Southern Hemisphere to the South Pole so wind, rain and cold are often present.
STAGE 1 - The wind was blowing from the South, it wasn’t a breeze, just enough to be testing.
4KM T/T - U/17’s
Jared and Jackson placed in the top 10, a good effort after the travels. Surprise of the T/T was David Edwards from QLD who placed 2nd overall, there was more to come from this young man.
6KM T/T - U/19’s
The bikes on the side line were all kitted up, discs, funny bikes, the National NZ Track and Road teams are out to win this tour, their pace in front of our team, our Juniors rode well Dale the first Aussie in 6th place.
STAGE 2 ROAD RACE - The weather was wet, cold and windy, made warm ups difficult, ergos and rollers in use under any available cover. The 9.00 AM start had the U/17S away first.
U/17 45.8 km’s
As expected attacks were on from the start, riders all attempting to break, it was at 20 km to go when David Edwards made the winning move establishing a lead that had all the bunch jamming in response, the inability to work together worked in David’s favour, his lead opening up to over 2 minutes, the bunch now racing for 2nd in the stage, Jared and Jackson a part of this bunch and figuring in the bunch sprint.
U/19s 76.8 km’s
As in the U17’s, this race was also on from the start, after 50kms a break formed Dale and Sam a part of the group of 7, a bunch of 10 chasing with our other 2 riders. Sam succumbed to a severe lower back pain, he continued on and finished the stage, Dale the solo representative in the break the chase group not giving the chase away. Dale placed 2nd in the stage, Jack and Tom in the chase group at 40 secs.
STAGE 3 ROAD STAGE -This was to be the toughest stage on the tour KOM’s and sprints, the U17s - 1 lap the U19s - 2 laps. The rain had stopped, the wind still blowing, good thing is its the same for all.
U/17’s 41.2km’s
Jared was on the go from the start, attacking relentlessly, he placed 2nd in the KOM and was away on numerous occasions, only to be bought back. The Yellow Jersey now on David’s back and where he wanted it to stay, after the 2nd KOM he made an attack, taking 1 NZ rider with him, they continued on in the wind, the bunch now depleted, however still chasing. Jared finished in the chase group, 1 minute down, Jackson, only 20 seconds behind them.
U/19’s 82km’s
The 2 laps were always going to be tough, Tom in his usual aggressive manner took the race on from the front establishing a 1 minute break in the first lap in doing so captured both KOM’s and sprint, Sam had now withdrawn from the race due to muscle spasms in the lower back, as the bunch headed out on the 2nd lap the Kiwi riders hit the front, picking up the pace, they soon reeled in Tom, the pressure now on, Toms efforts taking their toll, he was off the back struggling, the bunch again increased the tempo, a break formed over the 3rd KOM and continued on to the finish. Tom withdrew with 12kms remaining, leaving us with 2 riders in the race, Dale won the bunch kick to place 5th, and Jack 7th.
DOWNTOWN INVERCARGILL CRITERIUM - It was on again, the rain I mean, 9.00AM start and 5 degrees with rain are real character building. This 800 meter rectangular circuit was extremely safe due to smooth roads of the Invercargill CBD and though it was wet some fast racing occurred.
U/17’s - 20 mins +3laps
Dave Edwards wearing yellow again dominated this stage, taking it on from the front, leaving little doubt he was in control. Jackson and Jared were always in a good position to eventually place 2nd and 5th respectively.
U/19’s 30mins +3laps
This stage proved to be the decisive stage, the yellow jersey with Alex McGregor, was having difficulty handling the slippery conditions. Alex unfortunately lost 2 laps equating to 1.50 seconds, his opposition realising his difficulty kept the pace high, eventually 10 riders left to face the 3 to go signal with Jack and Dale riding well, it was then that Dale suffered a flat, bunch time yes, but out of contention for the sprint. Jack placed 4th, again in the thick of it all in the sprint.
STAGE 5- The rain was now gone a relieved group of riders took off for the final stage, rolling green country side, covered with grazing sheep, on the back slopes of Southern NZ, our team now requiring a solo break to win this tour, and if this couldn’t happen, a stage win the goal.
U/17’s - 54km’s
This stage was somewhat more settled from the start, riders appearing to preserve their energy for the strong headwind journey back to the finish. With 10kms remaining Jared commenced his attacks, relentlessly from behind, and in front he persisted, the bunch strung out in a long line as it chased him down. On this occasion his break away attempt wasn’t successful, however the aggression shown earned him the coveted, Most aggressive rider award. Jackson was one of many that succumbed to the speed in the closing stages, finished just behind the main bunch, both riders very tired and extremely satisfied to have completed their first YUNCA Tour.
U/19s - 80km’s
Jack and Dales tactics for the stage were similar to the U/17’s, with everything to gain and nothing to lose. The new Tour leader National NZ rider Michael Vink was prepared for all comers, protecting his lead and chasing down any threat that occurred. An escape by Dale in the closing stages nearly came off, the chasing group however relentless to not let solo breaks establish, caught him with 2kms to the finish. His break didn’t affect his sprint, a close tussle with him and Junior World Bronze medallist in the pursuit Jason Christie, which he narrowly won, Dale placing 2nd and Jack 4th.
As in our U/17 riders our 2 finishers were tired, and mostly however they were relieved to have completed the tour, the NZ experience, so far testing, but I am sure experience they will be able to use in their future races.
As for me I was fortunate to have the services of former Lost In Space Star, Julian Innerson, now working with the local media, as my driver. This media pass allowed me to watch both U/17 and U/19 categories as their races unfolded. Julian earned the Lost in Space title, due to his ability to lose things, during the 3 days of the tour he lost, his keys, cell phone, wallet and us somewhere out the back of Invercargill, fortunately we eventually caught up with the race, thanks Julian.
Also thanks to Yunca, a heating manufacturer that are a long time sponsor of cycling in NZ, Cycling Southland and the billets for there never ending help.
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CYCLINGNSW/NSWIS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM INVERCARGILL NEW ZEALAND OCTOBER 2008.
Our team departed Sydney Thursday 2nd headed for the YUNCA Tour of the Southland and Trans Tasman Track 2 day challenge. The team consisting of U/17s Jackson Law, Jared Trigg,U/19s Sam Spoke and Jack Bennett. We are accompanied by Cycling Australia’s U/19s Thomas Richards, QLD and Dale Parker SA.
Our flight to NZ was made easy by Air New Zealand who allowed us an extra 10 kgs baggage allowance eliminating excess costs, always a big issue in our travels with bikes. The billets were at the airport to greet their new residents for the next 9 days, in that time after some racing, eating and living together , long term friendships will have occurred.
Our sign on Friday morning was at the now famous Invercargill Veledrome, a 250 meter indoor arena that brings riders from all over the world to compete. One look at this complex and you can see why New Zealand is currently producing some great results, including their recent performances at the Bejing Olympics.
The YUNCA Tour consisted of a Time Trial on Friday afternoon, 2 road stages on Saturday, a Criterium in downtown Invercargill, followed by a road stage on Sunday afternoon. The terrain and opposition is not the only hurdle the riders have to face, Invercargill is the closest land mass in the Southern Hemisphere to the South Pole so wind, rain and cold are often present.
STAGE 1 - The wind was blowing from the South, it wasn’t a breeze, just enough to be testing.
4KM T/T - U/17’s
Jared and Jackson placed in the top 10, a good effort after the travels. Surprise of the T/T was David Edwards from QLD who placed 2nd overall, there was more to come from this young man.
6KM T/T - U/19’s
The bikes on the side line were all kitted up, discs, funny bikes, the National NZ Track and Road teams are out to win this tour, their pace in front of our team, our Juniors rode well Dale the first Aussie in 6th place.
STAGE 2 ROAD RACE - The weather was wet, cold and windy, made warm ups difficult, ergos and rollers in use under any available cover. The 9.00 AM start had the U/17S away first.
U/17 45.8 km’s
As expected attacks were on from the start, riders all attempting to break, it was at 20 km to go when David Edwards made the winning move establishing a lead that had all the bunch jamming in response, the inability to work together worked in David’s favour, his lead opening up to over 2 minutes, the bunch now racing for 2nd in the stage, Jared and Jackson a part of this bunch and figuring in the bunch sprint.
U/19s 76.8 km’s
As in the U17’s, this race was also on from the start, after 50kms a break formed Dale and Sam a part of the group of 7, a bunch of 10 chasing with our other 2 riders. Sam succumbed to a severe lower back pain, he continued on and finished the stage, Dale the solo representative in the break the chase group not giving the chase away. Dale placed 2nd in the stage, Jack and Tom in the chase group at 40 secs.
STAGE 3 ROAD STAGE -This was to be the toughest stage on the tour KOM’s and sprints, the U17s - 1 lap the U19s - 2 laps. The rain had stopped, the wind still blowing, good thing is its the same for all.
U/17’s 41.2km’s
Jared was on the go from the start, attacking relentlessly, he placed 2nd in the KOM and was away on numerous occasions, only to be bought back. The Yellow Jersey now on David’s back and where he wanted it to stay, after the 2nd KOM he made an attack, taking 1 NZ rider with him, they continued on in the wind, the bunch now depleted, however still chasing. Jared finished in the chase group, 1 minute down, Jackson, only 20 seconds behind them.
U/19’s 82km’s
The 2 laps were always going to be tough, Tom in his usual aggressive manner took the race on from the front establishing a 1 minute break in the first lap in doing so captured both KOM’s and sprint, Sam had now withdrawn from the race due to muscle spasms in the lower back, as the bunch headed out on the 2nd lap the Kiwi riders hit the front, picking up the pace, they soon reeled in Tom, the pressure now on, Toms efforts taking their toll, he was off the back struggling, the bunch again increased the tempo, a break formed over the 3rd KOM and continued on to the finish. Tom withdrew with 12kms remaining, leaving us with 2 riders in the race, Dale won the bunch kick to place 5th, and Jack 7th.
DOWNTOWN INVERCARGILL CRITERIUM - It was on again, the rain I mean, 9.00AM start and 5 degrees with rain are real character building. This 800 meter rectangular circuit was extremely safe due to smooth roads of the Invercargill CBD and though it was wet some fast racing occurred.
U/17’s - 20 mins +3laps
Dave Edwards wearing yellow again dominated this stage, taking it on from the front, leaving little doubt he was in control. Jackson and Jared were always in a good position to eventually place 2nd and 5th respectively.
U/19’s 30mins +3laps
This stage proved to be the decisive stage, the yellow jersey with Alex McGregor, was having difficulty handling the slippery conditions. Alex unfortunately lost 2 laps equating to 1.50 seconds, his opposition realising his difficulty kept the pace high, eventually 10 riders left to face the 3 to go signal with Jack and Dale riding well, it was then that Dale suffered a flat, bunch time yes, but out of contention for the sprint. Jack placed 4th, again in the thick of it all in the sprint.
STAGE 5- The rain was now gone a relieved group of riders took off for the final stage, rolling green country side, covered with grazing sheep, on the back slopes of Southern NZ, our team now requiring a solo break to win this tour, and if this couldn’t happen, a stage win the goal.
U/17’s - 54km’s
This stage was somewhat more settled from the start, riders appearing to preserve their energy for the strong headwind journey back to the finish. With 10kms remaining Jared commenced his attacks, relentlessly from behind, and in front he persisted, the bunch strung out in a long line as it chased him down. On this occasion his break away attempt wasn’t successful, however the aggression shown earned him the coveted, Most aggressive rider award. Jackson was one of many that succumbed to the speed in the closing stages, finished just behind the main bunch, both riders very tired and extremely satisfied to have completed their first YUNCA Tour.
U/19s - 80km’s
Jack and Dales tactics for the stage were similar to the U/17’s, with everything to gain and nothing to lose. The new Tour leader National NZ rider Michael Vink was prepared for all comers, protecting his lead and chasing down any threat that occurred. An escape by Dale in the closing stages nearly came off, the chasing group however relentless to not let solo breaks establish, caught him with 2kms to the finish. His break didn’t affect his sprint, a close tussle with him and Junior World Bronze medallist in the pursuit Jason Christie, which he narrowly won, Dale placing 2nd and Jack 4th.
As in our U/17 riders our 2 finishers were tired, and mostly however they were relieved to have completed the tour, the NZ experience, so far testing, but I am sure experience they will be able to use in their future races.
As for me I was fortunate to have the services of former Lost In Space Star, Julian Innerson, now working with the local media, as my driver. This media pass allowed me to watch both U/17 and U/19 categories as their races unfolded. Julian earned the Lost in Space title, due to his ability to lose things, during the 3 days of the tour he lost, his keys, cell phone, wallet and us somewhere out the back of Invercargill, fortunately we eventually caught up with the race, thanks Julian.
Also thanks to Yunca, a heating manufacturer that are a long time sponsor of cycling in NZ, Cycling Southland and the billets for there never ending help.
I will do a report on the track Challenge next week,
See you on the road
Seersy
ill do a report on the track Challenge next week,
See you on the road
Seersy