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Troy Glennan is a member of SSCC and this year is riding for International team Caravello/FRF.
 Index to Entries
Giro Del Capo - South Africa 8-12 Mar 06
Brindabella Challenge 3rd December 2005
Jayco - Herald Sun Tour 9-16 Oct
Sutherland Open Criterium 1st Oct
Tour of New Caledonia 15 - 24 Sep
Australian National Road Championships
Tattersall’s Sunraysia Tour
Cootamundra
Click below for the old reports
NSW TTT Champs - Gunning 24th July Muswellbrook 16+17 July 2005
NSW ITT Champs 19th June 2005 Parramatta Park - 4th June 2005
Sutherland Criterium Park 25th April
Canberra Tour 15-18 April 2005
Bathurst Tour 2-3 April
Giro Del Capo - South Africa 8-12 Mar 06
Hey All,
Just a quick one, just finished day 3 and it’s been a pretty savage 3 days, as any of you would have seen if you have looked at results. Pretty long flight over here, but since we’ve been here it’s been pretty awesome, staying in a nice lodge for the whole tour, with breakfast lunch and dinner all at the hotel as well.
First day started off ok, I got up the road in a group of 7 and got a max of 3.41 but it was bought back at the bottom of the climb and I was out the hoop, on the 12 km climb, finished 6 minutes down. Teammate Tony Mann was top 20 or so.
Next day was a shocker on a few parts. The wind was howling from the start, it split after 15km with Tony. Brendan Brooks and I in the 2nd group and I was in the box trying to get Tony back across to the front group, I did just before the climb, then over the climb I got back to the front group. But then it all went pear shaped, Tony went back to the cars to get me and him a drink, and the German national team ute decided to stop in front of him and he hit the back of it, no brakes, luckily it was a ute and he ended up in the back of it. No skin off, but a pretty badly corked thigh, better than what he first thought when he thought he broke his femur.
It didnt get much better for the rest of us, the wind got worse and the first part of the stage and yesterday’s break were starting to make me suffer, I ended up 33 mins down to put it short.
Today was a bit better 175km, a group got up the road and it stayed out at 3 minutes for most the stage, we hit a solid climb with about 30 to go and I found a good group to go up in and I don’t think I finished too far down. Tomorrow is a 5.5 km hill time trial, we went up it the other day driving, it’s a mad view at the top, then Sunday is 110km, starting at 6.30 in the morning, some big fun ride is on after it apparently. 35000 starters or something crazy.
Anyway thats about it, it’s a pretty amazing country just a shame we’re riding our bikes in the gutter and dont really get to look at too much, but I did see 2 baboons today which was kool.
Anyway
Later
Troy
Brindabella Challenge 3rd December 2005
Hey all,
Back on the bike for around 3 weeks now and unofficially (until 1st Jan) a change of colours. As some of you may have seen on cyclingnews.com, Joe McDonell and myself have signed for FRF Couriers/ Caravello. A new Continental Team based in Australia, an amalgamation from 2 previous domestic teams, we will be riding ARGON 18 Gallium frames, steering with Cinelli Bar and Stems, changing gears with Shimano Duraace, Vuelta Wheels will be going round underneath us and be pedalled by Vittoria Shoes latched onto Speedplay pedals.
Anyway enough of the sponsor plug, we had our team presentation last Wednesday night, and all keen for the first race together at the Brindabella Challenge in Canberra over the weekend, not all of the new team were able to make it but we still had a strong presence in the race.
After the crit got washed out and blown away on Friday night, we had a 70km road race on Saturday Evening/ Night 5.45pm start, could have thought I was back in Portugal, except for the minimal temperatures, howling winds and threat of rain all day.
Slipping into a move after around 10kms, it was on and the new bike was feeling good. 3 of us worked quite well and got a sizeable gap on the bunch into the headwind then crosswind. We were then joined by my first teammate, later to be joined by Joe and another 3 riders and we had a good size group of 8. We were now on the Canberra Tour course and first challenge was Mt McDonald, as we hit the bottom we turned with the tailwind for the first part of the climb which was nice. And the first challenge was over, second one was the cross winds, which all went well then the 2nd climb to get over was the Urriara Crossing, this split the field up as one guy was dropped from the bottom, another 2 went shortly after and Paul Crake winner of a couple of stair running races (also record holder for the Empire State building) punctured halfway up, this left Pete Hatton, Pete McDonald, Joe and myself. Crakey was towed back onto us after the puncture and Canberra Velo rider Al Seiper fought back on to us. As we hit the tailwind 10km to go, Pete McDonald was the first to go, leaving Joe and myself to sit back and relax. After he was brought back, it was Joe’s turn to launch, the rest of the guys were a bit more onto this and it was shut down quickly, I somehow managed to sneak to the back of the group and just after Joe got back I went on the opposite side to what the attacks had just been. I got an immediate gap and although I was hurting a little on a rise I managed to extend my lead, passing the 5km to go sign it was slightly bigger, then the gap steadied. But as the Kms ticked down, my team mates did a superb job to stunt the chase. I won it solo by a few hundred meters and was pretty stoked, even more so when Pete McDonald came across the line next, with Joe in 3rd not too far behind.
Team Manager Dominic Caravello was pretty happy to say the least as his boys were “ONEA, TWOA, TREEA”
Jayco - Herald Sun Tour 9-16 Oct 2005
Morning all,
Just back in town from my 2nd Herald Sun Tour, and what an experience this one was.
The race has been totally revamped, with 18 teams of 8 riders making 144 riders racing over 7 stages including a teams time trial, 4 road stages, an uphill time trial and a criterium in downtown Melbourne to finish. Some of the teams doing battle included Lotto Domo, AG2R, FDJ, Jelly Belly and a heap of national and smaller pro teams including my team MG X Power presented by Bigpond.
We started off with a supposed 9.8km teams time trial, but for logistical problems they cut it down to 4.4kms so it was balls out. Our team didn’t have the best ride, not being totally organised and finished 14 seconds down from the winners a small Australian team ‘Savings and Loans’.
The first road stage was 150km starting and finishing in Bendigo. It was fairly windy so we knew it was going to be tough. The usual attempts of early moves going happened but nothing really stuck, I managed to get off the front for a few kms with an FDJ rider but again the bunch had us well under control. The main obstacle of todays stage was a cat 1 climb after about 80kms. I had done this climb before but in the other direction so I knew it was going to be tough, what made it even tougher was the cross winds at the bottom and it was in the gutter. I found a group going up it and we pretty much rode to the end. Another short sharp climb with 10km saw myself and another rider off the front of this group ‘til the finish but for not much point as the recording tape at the finish ran out of film so the bunch times were all over the place!!!!!!!! The stage was won by a Lithuanian from Amore Vita.
2nd stage was from Bendigo to Shepparton 153km.
This was one windy day, again the pace was on from the gun an we covered the first 100km in 1hr 58 minutes. It was on. The race kept splitting in the cross winds and I found myself out the back in a group at one stage, luckily it slowed for a bit and we got back on. The pace was still right on and another big split went in the bunch while we were waiting for Big Rob who got a piece of fencing wire stuck in his cassette and we only had 1 rider in the front group. As we hit town we were supposed to have 2 and a half laps of a circuit, but another bungle by the organisers saw us doing 4 laps!!!!!!! And again with a few different bunches on the small 3.5km circuit the finishing times were everywhere again. Simon Gerrans won the stage, from Baden Cooke who was later relegated for supposedly causing a crash in the final sprint. He threatened to pull out of the race so he got penalised 30 seconds ‘n that was it. The average speed for the day was 47.8km/h.
Stage 3 was from Mitchelton Winery to Marysville 172km
The longest stage of the tour and after the fast pace of yesterday it was good to have a controlled day, a group of 6 went up the road early including Stuart Shaw from our team, which meant we had the day off and sat comfotably in the bunch. We had a cat 1 climb to get over still, and most of the bunch did so, there was a nasty crash on the descent with Pat Shaw hitting the rock wall on the descent head first and won himself a broken nose and cheekbone for his efforts.
The break got pulled in as usual with around 10kms to go after fdj had done alot of work for Baden Cooke, it was fast in the last 10kms and all I know is that I finished in the front group, Baden Cooke won the sprint easily we saw on TV later that night.
Stage 4 had us starting and finishing in Healesville for 140km trip.
The wind was up again from the start and my legs were starting to feel it. It was very rolling and hilly to start with and added with some cross winds a large group ended up off the front, we had Shauno in it for a while, but the cross winds caught him out aswell and he ended up in between the 2 groups all day. Our bunch threw the anchors out as soon as it split as the time gaps went from 1.50 to 10 minutes in about 10km. The yellow jersey was in our group and offered us $100 a rider if we could bring the break back, they were dreaming we got on the front for abit but smashed ourselves and a few of us found the going quite tough and struggled through the rest of the stage. Our group ended up 22 minutes down and Baden Cooke took his 2nd stage in as many days. He was helped by a marshal sending the chasing group the wrong way as well!!!!!
Stage 5 Monbulk to Mt Dandenong 11km Time Trial
This was the stage where the tour was won, and for most of us with tired legs it was a chance for a rest. 11km predominantly uphill with a 20% time cut off meant we still had to give it a bit of gas. Irishman David Mccann won the stage in a time of 21.35, 3 seconds quicker than Simon Gerrans who moved into the yellow jersey with his ride. Shaun Higgerson had a top ride to finish 6th on the stage. I rode 23.51.
Stage 6 Lygon St Criterium 50 minutes plus 3 laps
The final stage of the tour on a 2km circuit in down town Melbourne with 120 riders still going and some pretty tight corners, I knew this wasn’t going to be easy, added to this I started right down the back of the bunch and struggled the whole way around. The only way I moved up on riders was when they were pulling out. I lasted until 40 minutes and then some one about 5 wheels in front sat up and took everyone behind him out the arse with him, we rolled round for a few laps and then got pulled out. Thankfully it was over, the race was dominated by a 3 man breakaway which managed to stay away by 7 seconds and won by Hilton Clarke. Simon Gerrans rode safely to win the tour overall. Local Shire boy Pete Hatton made a big name for himself, having an awesome week, and his consistant riding was rewarded with the u/23 jersey and the King Of the Mountains jersey.
So all in all a very tough week which I was glad to get through. I’m now having a rest for a month or so, and then hoping to get a ride sorted out for next year overseas somewhere.
Til then enjoy the Sun
Troy
Sutherland Open Criterium 1st October 2005
Hey all,
Well a lovely spring afternoon was put on for us for the second Sutherland Cycling club open. The A grade affair had around 25 starters with quite a few using the crit as a last hit out before the Herald Sun Tour, starting next week in Melbourne. I was one of those riders looking for a hard hit out and tryed to keep the pace high from the start but it seemed only a handful of others had the same idea on their mind. Trent Wilson lauched the first serious attack and took away Pete Hatton, Joe Mcdonnell and Shaun " Baby White Elephant" Higgerson. This group opened up a pretty good gap straight away, it was then the Macathur boys and Team BR Digital that came to the front to try and bring it back. The gap stayed around the same until a few more riders decided they didnt want to roll around for another 35 minutes and the break slowly started coming back.
I waited until it was a good enough gap and jumped across taking Brad Mills and Cashy with me, we made contact with the front 4 riders after about 3 laps, but then it went to pieces again around a lap later when Shaun attacked and took Trent Wilson and Peter Hatton with him. Unfortunately the 3 of us that had just got across had spent abit to much energy and Joe was finding the pace from the early break abit to much so we were the 2nd group.
Up front it was on and Trent Wilson was riding a pretty aggresive race, to aggresive for Pete who lost contact with Trent and Shaun, with Shauno taking the win, Trent 2nd and Pete Hatton 3rd. In our group of 4 i tried to go solo on the last lap, but it didnt quite work. Cashy took out 4th, Brad Mills 5th, 6th was me and Joe Mcdonell 7th.
So a good solid race with 5 out of the top 7 gearing it right up for Sun Tour next week. Thanks to all the club for organising the race, to all the volunteers who helped run the day, much appreciated and i hope you enjoyed the race.
Im off to the Sun Tour on Thursday so ill try and keep you posted on how much im suffering amongst the big boys from Europe.
Cheers
Troy
Tour of New Caledonia 15th - 24 September
Hey All,
Just got back from the Tour of New Caledonia. A 10 day tour which was about 1000km and included some pretty big climbs including a few on dirt. I was riding with my MG team mates but sponsored by a New Caledonian Company (called SPOT).
The tour started with a 3km prologue which was along the beach and very windy with 2 u turns. We didnt have access to some of the flash gear needed for a quick time, but Shaun (Higgerson) still managed a top ride for 3rd and I was 17th I think.
From there we tackled the road stages, with day 1 having 3 riders in the break we went well and had Aaron Strong win the stage just in front of Rob Mac in 4th, Shauno 5th and me 13th.
Stage 2 was going to be one that did alot of sorting of the GC on the tour, 110km with a Cat 1 climb half way and a Hors Catergorie climb for the final 9 km which was on dirt. I slipped into a reasonably early break that had the yellow jersey. Shauno was also there. I got over the Cat 1 with the break and soon found myself off the front of the break, making it easier for Shauno in the break and with a bit of uncertainty of the finish (we were told the workers on the mine were on strike and we might not go up) I got out to 1.40min from the break. But unfortunately for me we had to go up the climb and I was in a bit of trouble with a 23 cog on. I ended up 8th on the stage with Shauno 5th.
Next day was a double day with a teams time trial and a road stage. I normally enjoy ttt but this was a bad day with the legs not recovering from the solo mission the day before. I was in the box before we started. I only managed 3 turns before I had to sit on, then even that was too much into a headwind and very dissapointingly I had to let the boys go halfway through, but they ended up riding the fastest time 2 seconds infront of Caravello.
The next few stages were fairly uneventful, with our team on the podium every day with Stage wins to Rob Maclauchlin and Darren Lapthorn we had the sponsors happy.
Rob had moved into 2nd on GC, but unfortunately got sick and struggled to hold the front riders on the next hors cat day and lost a little time and dropped to 3rd. Then in the final tt dropped to 4th after a young rider Alexander Pluishgin over took him. Remember this kids name, he is still u19s and has now stepped up to u23s to ride this tour, and he is a weapon, i’m sure you will see him in a few years winning some big pro races.
We managed to hold Robs 4th on GC, with Shauno taking another stage win for the team on the 2nd last stage. Rob also ran 2nd in the final stage which had a cool finish in the local velodrome in Noumea.
I ended up 27th in the tour, which was ok and hopefully i’ll get some form out of the tour for the Sun Tour which is in a week or so starting on 9th october.
See you all this Saturday at the Sutherland Crit.
Troy
Australias Own Spring classics.
(Australian National Road Championships - Tattersall’s Sunraysia Tour - Cootamundra_
Well after a 2 week road trip, i’m back home for a day or two.
About 2 weeks ago Breath (Brad Glennan .Ed)and I packed the Magna for Cootamundra and Mildura and Queensland. This meant I could’nt take too many of my hair care products, which was hard to deal with.
Cootamundra, a good couple of Handicaps, 120km and 70km. Was good to see a lot of Sutherland riders out, including, Brad"Habibi" Adby, the ever present Edwardo, "HARD AS" Harry (who was back to defend his drinking award from last year) and the usual suspects Joe, Brad and myself.
Big bunches were going to make the Saturday interesting, and our scratch bunch worked well, picking up all the groups along the way and leaving us about 5 kms having to think about racing and not just smashing ourselves. Richard Moffat jumped away just over the bridge, and having my MG mates who dont mind a sprint, I was more than happy to throw the line and drag him back in. It took a little while longer than expected, but we got him and Sven Shaw was right up there only to have the cheeky sheep Dave Whyman pump him in the sprint, but Stu got 2nd and fastest time so a nice bit of coin to use on the road trip.
The next day was a bit different, our bunch was cut in half, the time gap doubled and the distance halved!!!!!!!!!!!! Go figure, needless to say scratch didnt get up, but a good hit out.
The next couple of days were spent soaking up the sites of Wagga Wagga. We were joined by our good mate Warren Scott from St George and our Chaufer Nev all in for the trip to Mildura, via Conargo Pub, Echuca, Swan Hill and Manangatang.
Brads report summed up the Tattersall’s Sunraysia race fairly well, but after Joe and i got inthe break on day one with the yellow jersey, it was pretty much ride how the yellow jersey wanted to. His team rode well, but must have been busy each night, as it seemed everyday there were more and more riding for them. The day in the mud and rain was fun!?
Then on to Queensland, Time Trial and Road Race at the Club National CHampionships.
A new course for the Time trial and a little different with about 5 roundabouts to negotiate each way, it was fast and fun. The course allowed you to see how you were going as you did 3 out and back laps of the same course. Looking at my main rivals I thought I was going ok, but being in a bit of pain I could’nt remember where I was crossing paths with them the lap before.
So the only answer to that was to go a bit harder, and that I did, crossing the line finally in 1st place and a Club National title to my name by over a minute. Needless to say there were a few rums to be had with the local celebrity Shaun Higgerson that night. He won the little boys race (U/23) on the same day.
Unfortunately Saturdays Road Race was on the same course as the previous years and the hill was just as steep, now being a Big boy I had to do the hill 13 times not 11. After the time trial I had abit of extra attention and wasn’t being let go too far, 4 guys went up the road from the gun, and our race felt like it was standing still. I finally got away, but unfortunately with only one other guy, who gave it his all, but blew himself to bits before the hill which left me a lap to ride myself to get across to the 2 leaders up front, one of them found it a bit to tough up the hill the next lap, which left 2 of us to fight it out. And a fight it was, a combination of the heat, the hills and the sore legs, had our effort of about 5 laps fall short by 2 laps and get caught up the climb with 2 to go. Joe was still right up there at the pointy end and looking strong and finished it off and continued his great form to take silver in a great ride.
I crept around for another lap to end up 11th and very tired. But still happy with a solid ride.
I flew home before the Sunday Crit and it was Joe who nearly stole everyones thunder again by running a close 2nd and snatching the overall prize, great work mate. So a pretty good week for Sutherland Shire Cycling Club. It was good to be able to ride in the Club clothes and put us on the map of Australian Cycling, as we should be with some great support and organisation from within the club.
PS. Thanks Kenny Martin for the jumping hug after the time trial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well for now i’m still unpacking one bag and packing another to head off to New Caledonia for a 10 day tour, it’s a very different tour, and hopefully with abit of form this year alot more fun.
Til i return.
Be good
NSW Club Team Time Trial Championship - Gunning 24th July 2005
Hey all.
Most of the club will know the State Teams Time trial was on yesterday and Sutherland had a pretty strong showing with 6 teams competing, it would have been 7 but the girls had too many beers at the pub the night before and couldn’t start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First team off the rank was the Masters 2-4 team of Marty, Brad, Craig and Tony. The boys had a solid ride to come in 10th
Next off Team 1 from the same catergory with Il Capitano Johnny Peters, Ian Bradford, Andrew Herlilen and Steve Melrose. These boys put in a top ride to run 5th and only 20 seconds off a bit of podium action.
The next team was the "more experienced" masters 5+ team of Jags, Buckles, Thorby and Mick Deluca, the boys had some pressure on with some fast looking bikes and defending champions i believe, after their decision to switch from a liquid dinner at Goulborn Workers the night before the boys were right to go and picked up the clubs first medal of the day with a Bronze.
This brought us to the Elite men Category with Sutherland CC fielding 3 teams.
First to go out of the 3 was the BR Digital team plus Ando who tapered well for this race with a 220km ride down to Goulborn the day before. A bit of bad luck for this team early with the Pro puncturing and then having to chase to get back on, the chase was a tough one by the looks and the boys had to carry on without him, as always Mark stuck it out and finished off the 80kms not to far behind the other 3 boys, who finished in 12th.
Team 2 fielded Lucky Pez who cleaned up on the Pokies the night before. (good hit son), Breathe Glennan, Big Bad Col Young and Woody. A fair bit of bad luck for the boys as well with Col finding the tailwind a bit to strong and had to let the other boys travel with the spinaker up without him. Pez's luck from the Pokies the night before had ran out, with a puncture on the way out. Then no 9 speed wheels and as Pez found out 9 and 10 speed wheels aren’t the same. The boys had to wait a couple of times to get the wheel debacle sorted out but ended up with a pretty good 11th.
Team 1 was 2nd last to leave with Dan Brickell, Cashy, Joe Mcdonell and myself. We started off well with the tailwind, and made good ground to the first 20k turn, it was here Cashy had a bit of a rough patch and turning into a block headwind, we had to make the unfortunate call to leave Cashy behind, this meant longer turns for the rest of us and the boys stepped up to the plate unbelievably well, with Joe, Dan and myself riding very smooth and strong into the wind the first time back. We got the call from JP that we were up on Canberra, who also only had 3 riders left. At the completion of the first lap we went back with the tailwind which allowed us some more long turns and a bit more recovery, everything went well on the way back and we put some more time into Canberra, the last challenge was the final 20km into the strong wind. The boys yet again took it on and came up with the goods, bringing it home very strong to take the win by a huge 3 minutes and 1 second, over Canberra and Randwick in 3rd a further 40 seconds back.
SUTHERLAND SHIRE CYCLING CLUB STATE CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would just like to that the club as a whole for the support and especially Johny Peters who has put alot of time and effort into getting the weekend organised.
Thankyou to everyone who helped out on the day, the drivers of the cars, Pez for the tent, Jags for the wheels, Macca for the wheels and bikes for the boys, Georgey Poulos for my bars and anyone else I forgot!
Im just glad we could repay the club for all their effort with a State Championship.
Muswellbrook Weekend
Rosemont Estate Open + Muswellbrook Explorer
Racing up in the lovely surrounds of the wine coutry around Musclebrook was what we had to look forward to this weekend, but the wind soon made it not so lovely. A grade was faced with 95km on Saturday which included 2 laps of an undulating and windy circuit, Dan, Cashy and myself were in A grade and it wasn’t too long before Cashy and myself were in the first main break of about 5 or 6 guys. We worked well together before losing a couple of riders on a bit of an incline, and then Cashy had had enough in the wind and went back to a very small group on the circuits, this group was only about 10 strong and when the break was all back together halfway round the 2nd circuit, this was obviously the move that would decide the race. I had 3 other MG team mates in the move, and when it split in half again there were 2 in the front split and 2 in the 2nd half, including me, this group stayed away with Eddie Salas taking the win from Stuart Shaw. I finished 9th after our group was almost caught by the bunch.
Sunday was a much tougher affair with 165km. In Div 1 we had all the A grade riders plus Mark Wall and Jonsey.
There was a bit of an ordinary section of road about 15k’s in that made life difficult if you weren’t in the top 20 and Jonesy and the Pro came to grief there and had a long ride home, but good on you for sticking it out boys.
The race was fairly uneventful until about the 60km mark when a group of about 15 riders got clear, again I had 2 team mates in the move and was a bit too far back to respond, Cashy also made the move. The group was in striking distance for a while but with no one wanting to make the effort of getting across the group slowly pulled away. The maximum gap was around 3 minutes and it stayed away all day. Stu Shaw took out the race in the end, with Cashy having a good ride for 6th.
Our group was whittled down to about 5 riders in the end as well as picking up about 2 or 3 of the break so in all not a bad day.
Sutherland had a good showing at the race, with Brad Glennan, Trent Woody, Col, Ian Bradford, Thommo, Eddy Knowles and last but no means least Marty Hoyle, who had a long day but stuck it out to ride it all the way home all riding b grade and div 2. Well Done everyone
Until next week when we will hopefully smoke em in the Team Time Trial
NSW Individual Time Trial Championships 19th June 2005
Well there’s not too much you can say about a time trial, other than you start, try to start hurting yourself as quick as you can and then try and hurt that much or a little bit more until the finish.
The elite men had 43km for the State Individual TT up at Calga, it was fairly cold and a bit windy, giving us a headwind on the way out and a great tailwind on the way home.
I was 4th from the end and had some good riders around me to judge myself off. I caught my 2 minute man within about 5kms. (He had a mechanical) and I caught my minute man in the first half of the course, so I was either going good, or going way to hard early and was going to blow.
But I held it together and caught my 3 minute man with 2km to go and stopped the clock at 59mins 11 secs. Good enough for 2nd place, 30 seconds behind Peter Milostic in 58.41, Josh Marden was 3rd and also went under the hour I think.
Dan Brickell had a good ride after having a bit of a debacle on the start line with his helmet and finished 5th. Peter Spencer also managed a podium spot in the u23 men with a silver.
Thanks a lot to the club for the new helmets (although I didnt end up getting to use it in the end) and Georgey Poulos for the retro skinsuit and my aero bars.
Cheers Troy
Parramatta Park - 4th June 2005
Australia has recently secured its 3rd major Grand Prix, to go along with the F1 and Moto GP in Victoria, NSW now has the more famous Parramatta Grand Prix, 26 laps around there for 80 odd kms, after having a few good rides around there and no MG Xpower team mates, I decided it was try to get in any break with one of the teams that were racing. It was’nt quite the plan to be in one on the first lap but it happened, and we were away, for a few laps anyway before it was brought back, for a flurry of counter attacks to go, Dan Brickell slipped in the next move but it was also brought back after a couple of laps, then I went again with 2 other riders and we stayed away for about 10 laps, we fought out the prime, which the guy who was taking soft turns and sittin on a bit got, but what can you do? When we were caught with 6 to go, another group went straight away, as expected and stayed away, although Caravello missed it their efforts weren’t enough to bring the group back who stayed away by about 40 secs and Ben Clarke from Tamowrth took it out.
Well next up on the agenda is the State Time Trial in 2 weeks, where hopefully I can get some podium action.
Tour of Korea 9th May 2005
Unfortunately i crashed in the first stage with a KM to go, well some crazy Tricky took me out and snapped my frame so no more for me after stage one. Not the best but i’m not injured so just having a bit of a rest. Our team won a stage yesterday with Rob McLachlan showing his class and winning a 2 up sprint and beating the bunch by about 2 Minutes. We have Stu Shaw, in 6th in GC with 2 stages to go
Late news: Shaun Higgerson won stage 5 and Mclachlan also won stage 6 with Shaw 2nd overall on Final GC.
Sutherland Shire Criterium - Waratah Park 25th April 2005
Today being a historic day for 2 reasons The Sutherland Crit and Anzac Day.
‘A’ grade had to tackle 50 Minutes plus 3 laps of track 3 with half on track 2 and the 2nd half of the race on track 3. After the minute silence it was on from the gun, except there wasnt a gun, but my tire before the start sure sounded like one. It was a fairly fast start and attacks were the order of the day from the keen ones including yours truly, nothing got away for a while, and even when it did, nothing that early was likely to stay away so the bunch did us a favour and brought it all back together a lap before the first prime. And it was time for the boys who were biding their time in the early stages to mix it up for the sprint as Steve Fitzpatrick took the first one out. Once we hit track 3 the break that would be the winner got away, driven by my team mate Shauno, who had been on a carb loading mission at Northies the night before to go well today. Back in the bunch it was shut down by Stewart Shaw and myself from MG Xpower and 2 or the Randwick boys, the race then got a little boring until we got thrown another prime and again it was the magician Steve Fitzpatrick doing the re-appearing act for the sprint.
Up front it was a race of four and Shaunos extra training gave him the win and a prime along the way. Once the race was up the road I took a few guys away with me from the bunch to try and pick up the $50 Sutherland Rider prize. In all it was another good day for our team, we have been riding very well as a team and for now we are fine tuning before we head off to Korea in around 10 Days time. Ill keep you posted with all the info from our trip.
I’d also just like to thank all the officials, helpers and crowd up at the race today, it was good to be able to race infront of a few people and hopefully we put on a good show for you
‘Til next time, hopefully from a foreign country
Pedal Fast
Troy
Canberra Tour 15-18 April 2005
Well another weekend down in Canberra this time for the first round of the National Road Series.
‘A’ grade was faced with a 7km Prologue on Friday, 2 X 75km road races on Saturday and a 148km Road race on Sunday. I was again riding with my MG- X Power presented by Bigpond team mates and there were 7 of us here for this race, partly as training for our upcoming overseas trip.
Friday went well for me with a 3rd place in the Prologue, 2 seconds behind my team mate Shaun Higgerson who was an unbelievable 18 seconds behind the winner Richard Moffat, whether this time was right or not 17 seconds is a lot in a 7km time trial, but thats all said and done.
The first of Saturdays stages was to be 2 laps of a 37.5km circuit in one direction and reversed in the afternoon. The main team orders were to see how the race panned out. The usual early breaks tried to go but nothing too serious, our team had riders in everything which was essential, I got in a group at the start of the 2nd lap that stayed away until the kom, and then it was all back together, the first stage came down to a bunch sprint and we lined it up for Rob Maclauhlan, who unfortunately pulled his foot in the sprint but still managed 2nd. Richard Moffat was still in yellow.
The 2nd Stage was probably a little harder in this direction with a steep 1km climb and a long climb that took you up to within 3km to the finish, the first lap was relatively uneventful with a couple of guys up the road and one of our team mates in it. Caravello missed the move and were forced to chase which made our afternoon easier. On the 2nd lap on the false flat after the steep climb a group of 10 or so got away and we had our men Rob Machlauchlan and Shaun Higgerson in it aswell as alot of the other big names. Rob kept his foot in the pedals this time to win the sprint and Shaun 3rd, Rob also took the Yellow Jersey.
Stage 3 is always a tough one in Canberra with a passing each side of Fitz's Hill and rolling hills the whole way. Orders for the day for myself and a couple of my team mates were to ride tempo on the front so that our main men had an as easy day as possible. For me this meant sitting either 1st , 2nd or 3rd wheel for 60 kms out to Fitz's while we had Nic Brown up the road with one other guy. Up Fitz's it was a free for all and everyone got up it as they could. Some a little slower than others, I found myself off the back, but managed to get back on not to long after, only to spend another km or so on the front, to find another 10% climb, again I was abit slower than the front guys and was off the back, after the turn around a bunch that had been dropped caught me and although I would have liked to have done a bit more for the team was content to sit on the back of this bunch to the end. That was until I punctured between the turn around and the 2nd passing of Fitz's hill, lucky the spares ute was a good bloke and got me back on, and after going back over fitz’s i was amazed to see the front bunch not to far ahead, we got back on (for the 3rd time) and I was called straight back to the front, what a fun job. So for about the next 15-20km me and Marcy Williams swapped turns keeping the other boys in shelter, Nic was still out front but coming back fast. With 20kms to go Marc and I had been attacked by "Larry Lactate" and rode it in to the finish with a water stop at a park 10km to go, 2 other MG riders kept it goin to the final climb with just under 10km to go and it was down to a select group containing Rob and Shaun among others. It came down to another small group sprint and Rob took 2nd with Shaun 3rd, it was enough for Rob to win the tour and we also picked up the Kom through Nic Brown.
So in all we won the Tour, Won KOM, 1 Stage win, 3 2nd places and 3 3rd paces and 4th on GC.
From here i’ll be racing the Sutherland Criterium next Monday which i’ll be hoping I can have a good ride and then on the 5th of May I will be heading overseas with my team to race the Tour of Korea and then flying to USA to do Tour of Conneticut, Captech Classic and the CSC invitational criteriums, Wachovia Series including US Pro championships, Nature Valley GP and then to Canada for Tour of Beauce.
Til then,
Dont kick into the wind
Troy
Bathurst 2+3 April 2005
After a bit of a break from racing since Nationals and Tour of Wellington, I headed up to Bathurst for a crit and a 95km road race from Blayney to Bathurst including a dirt climb of 1.5 kms.
Other Sutho riders were Brad "Breath Brett" Glennan, Marty Hoyle, Craig Hawkins, Anna Sutton, Trent Wood, Eddy "Plunket" Knowles and last but no means least the D grade womens dominator Jodie Nolan who in her first open cleaned up in the crit and road race, well done Jodie.
The A grade men had a 25 lap crit of a 1.5km circuit, it was pretty windy up the top of Mt Panarama, and with 4 other Mg Xpower riders we were looking to dominate, we started well having someone in every little move early on, until 7 riders got clear, including myself and team mate Shaun "Higga" Higgerson I picked up the first prime in the race and then we started planning on how we could make the most of having 2 riders in the break, as i’m not known for my sprint, I attacked on numerous occasions in the last 10 laps and managed to pick up the 2nd sprint along the way, and then final lap I had it full gas with Shaun 4th wheel and sitting pretty. He took the sprint fairly easily and I finshed 7th having done the job to get the win.
The 2nd day we had the same plan, have riders in the move and take it from there, the first 10kms were gradually uphill and the wind that dominated most of the day caused splits in the bunch, once we had 2 riders in a front group of 7 again it was a matter of shutting the chase bunch down and letting the front boys sort out the race, a small group tried to get across for 40kms but were never out of our sight, coming onto the dirt climb with 12kms to go, the bunch was down to about 25 and then about 6 or 7 at the top, up the road my Mg team mates had taken 1st and 2nd and in the downhill run I was trying to jump away for a place, but not to be.
In all a good weekend for myself and Team MG Xpower and a good warm up for Canberra Tour in 2 weeks time.
‘til then
Keep it Real.
Troy
Palmares
2005
- 4th Australian Individual Time Trial Championships
- KOM Winner, Trust House Classic (Tour of Wellington), NZl (2.2) January 26-30
1st ITT National Club Championships QLD
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