Oceanias and Aussie Trip

The Oceania Championships didn't go to plan, After Southland I got sick with the flu for about a week so didn't do much training at all. I had one session on the Saturday before to find my track legs. I decided due to the sickness to drop out of the Omnium and opt into the Points Race. The racing turned out to be very fast due to the addition of some big diesel fired heaters which made for some fast times. I had the Scratch race up first and finished mid pack in 10th. The race was very fast from the gun but was a good wake up to the legs. The team pursuit guys and girls went super sonic and posted 3.55 and 3.19 which was very exciting to see. On Wednesday I had the Points Race which was very fast from the start, I won the first sprint and was involved in a few others. Lost a lap after the race blew apart after a sprint. I wasn't recovered from sprinting and got caught out. Luckily I hoped onto Sam Bewley and Aaron Gate who were taking a lap and sat on them for 10laps. This put me in good shape for the finale where I held onto my 7th place with many failing to finnish. I was pleased with the race and my form is looking good.

On Saturday I won the local club race which was a bit of fun. I took a solo win- write up below
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cycling/188393/cycling-evans-overcomes-wind-opposition

On Thursday I travel to Australia for two weekends of track carnival and Madison action. Which I'm really looking forward to.

Thanks for reading,
Brad

Tour Round up

During the tour I raced 871km of racing and 950km with warm-ups. The hardest day from my training stress score was day 1 in the breakaway with 370TSS. That day I had a good day winning sprints and also a bad day.

My nutrition was poor with my muesli sticking in my stomach causing pain so I didn't eat for 60km and then promptly cramped with 40km to go. looking back now I can see why I was on my knees that day. after burning 4500Kj. Fueling the body was a major task in itself and I ate much more than I would for a one day race because you are also eating for the next day.

Overall I surprised myself with how I recovered this really bodes well for the future.

What Next:
I have an exam on Tuesday and then I am finished University for the year.
Next year I am most likely going to study via correspondence with Massey University. This is to allow greater flexibility with travel so I can race any time anywhere and continue studying.

My next big event is the Oceania Championships 21st-24th with my events the Scratch Race and Omnium.
Then I have an Aussie trip coming up to ride a few track races over there.
Ciao
Brad

Day 7, Winton to Invercargill

Today I woke up to snow and hail on the ground in November! The time trial stage was cancelled in the morning which left us to contest the last 80km stage to Invercargill. I had good legs but the start was fast and i wasnt fully warmed up so suffered a bit but still made the front group only for the race to come back together. Later in the satge I had poor positioning in the bunch and for the first time since stage 1 I was off the back of the main group. I was still feeling strong so just bided my time and worked my way forward again. I won the 2nd group sprint home for a bit of fun because Holly was watching :). Very pleased to see the line and finish my tour in one piece.

Invercargill to Gore 167km- Day 6

I had a great day, Got involved in the early spints and won one and had 2 2nds and a third. The plan was to get in the breakaway so I was right up the front and we had a sharp left turn and the whole race blew apart. I made the front group with only 20 or so riders I was very happy. For 20km or so we stayed the same size until a few other riders caught up. I stayed handy all day. Through Mataura and up a hill we hit some hail which wasn't the best. Once we got to Gore things started to heat up and the pace increased into some strong headwinds and side winds. I went off road for a bit about 300m after being blown off. Just before the last climb a few took off and then lead into the corner for the tail wind home. At times we were hitting 65km/h I was reasonably comfortable with it. With 5km to go 5-6 took off and I missed the move but with 2km to go I took off. To finish just in front of the other group. I was 18th in the end. very happy with the day. I moved up to 23rd overall and 7th U23. If I didn't lose the time on the first day after being in the break I would have been even higher but ohwell its allgood :)

Te Anau to Queestown: Crown Range 180km

Today was a good day I studied the race map and knew the major turns which would be decisive with wind direction. At Mossburn we took a sharp left turn and the race was in the gutter I was positioned about half way in the bunch and guys were losing wheels and going backwards 4 or 5 times I had to make big efforts to move forward and stay in the peloton but once this was over It was a lot better. I just stayed in the bunch to Kingston, Lake Wakitipu and the devils staircase. I lost contact with a few others with 5km to go. I was pretty spent and hit the 3km climb not far off the bunch. I climbed well to finish 33rd. Another good day racing. Tomorrow we race to Gore and around it's outskirts 167km, I feeling good at this stage so I'm hoping for a good day tomorrow.

Stages 2&3 Wednesday

Well the double day went pretty good. I'm a bit late updating this one. Stage 1 was a fast and furious dash from Riverton to Tuatapere. I stayed near the front most of the stage and finished solid around 40th. The next stage was a bit bigger with 100km from Tuatapere to Te Anau. It featured the Blackmount hill climb at half way. I had good positioning all the way to the climb and hit it about 20th, I moved up and passed riders that were being dropped. I was at my limit but maintained contact with the bunch. We then had a fast 50km to Te Anau and I stayed up front the whole way. I was about 30th at the finish after losing positions in the run in. We were hitting 65km/h at times. I was pleased with the day saving energy for the days to come. Cheers B

Stage 2

The plan was to stay hidden and save some energy and I successfully did this. The stage was cold and wet but I felt good most of the day. The peloton split up a bit in the cross winds and I was in the second group. We were never that far behind. Speed was fast coming into Bluff and I choose to stay out of trouble and not fight for position. There was a nasty crash at the bottom of the hill where a couple of riders went under a car. I climbed good and passed a few didn't walk at all. But it was steep and I was happy to get to the top. Hayden Rouston put in a solid performance to the the win and yellow jersey. He is definitively the strongest rider but that doesn't mean he will win. Today we have a split stage 50km in morning Riverton to Tuatapere then onto Te Anau 100km in afternoon.
Here is a couple of photos from my breakaway on stage 1

Stage 1 Update

Today was the first road stage to Lumsden. My plan was to stay out of trouble and in the bunch. At the start of the stage my positioning was about mid bunch and I was keen to move up, so I did and then attacked over the top to join a couple of others up the road. I though it would be a good idea to be out front and get a sprint prime. I won the one at 10km and also won two later on. After the prime win I found myself in a small group of nine out front and we quickly built up a lead. I had some wicked bad stomach cramps from I suspect my morning muesli. 50km later I recovered by had not been eating so started to cramp up. It was not good. I quickly had a couple of leppins and came good until 115km I had a bad calf clamp and sat up from the front group. I had a good 20mins to recover and stretch and eat before being caught by the peloton. Soon after the whole bunch split up and I was toast and in the third group on the road. The finish couldn't come soon enough as I was completely spent. Totals for today: I won three sprint primes and ended up third in sprint ace. A good day all around. Tune in to Cue T.v at 930 today on Freeveiw or Sky channel 110 to see me in action. I am in the blue top Olphert Contracting.

Southland Prolouge

To start things off we had a team time trial around Queens park in Invercargill. We had a team presentation and meet the sponsor of the team Daryl from Olphert Contracting. I started the team off down the chute, to the first corner. We finished up pretty slow with some of the guys struggling with holding wheels at the high speed. Tomorrows stage is 160km from the start in Invercargill to Lumsden. With 4 loops of a circuit to finish. I'm looking forward to it!

Tour of Southland

Its been a while since my last post and its been a busy period of training assessments and upcoming exams. I have my biggest race of the year the Tour of Southland next week. The race is 900km long over 7 days starting on the 30th of October. I am racing for Oliphert Contracting team with 5 others. Basically the race is a tour around the Southland district with stages to Gore, Bluff, Te Anau, Winton and Queestown. I have been training very hard over the last 10 weeks once I got over my previous crash injuries. A recent good result was my third place overall in the Taieri Tour,  I was pleased with this considering my limited race fitness.

Once the tour is finished I will be focusing on the Oceania Track Championships. Most likely focusing in on the Omnium and the Scratch race events.

As for next year I have several options I am exploring including some overseas racing and continuing my study.

Road Race and Crash

Today I had the road race. Things started good, I was really well organized with support and nutrition. I had a good position at the start of lap 1 but things got ugly as we approached the main hill, Lots of guys were bumping and I had a couple of close calls. Everyone wanted to be at the front me included. Then the worst possible thing happened I crashed after another rider cut in front of me. I had pretty average positioning about half way in the bunch. So I went down hard on my right knee and also banged right up my hip flexor quite bad. I have some cuts and swelling on the knee but structurally it is okay so things are all go for the track. The physio duo of Jess and Jane will be working with doc Steve from Green Island as I recover from this with some physio and exercises tomorrow. Also I broke the derailleur hanger on my bike which is why I couldn't continue after the crash, believe me I would have if It wasn't broken. Had a good walk on it to the dining hall tonight so things are looking okay it could be worse. Thanks for reading, Brad

Shenzhen Universaide

Velodrome
Universiade Logo
NZ Flag

I have made it to Shenzhen China and I am starting to settle in now. I had my first ride on the track today which was good. I have my first official sessions tomorrow on the track and road. I got to ride the last 1km of the road race which is tight with a couple of turns then wide open for 250m finnish straight. The finnish really suits me so I am hoping the couse isnt too hilly so I can get there. The village is massive with 10 14 story apartment blocks. The Chinese are very helpful and polite. The weather is very hot and I am pleased to say that I am not suffering too bad mostly because of the heat chamber training at Otago University. In the New Zealand team we have a great support team to help us with everything. Steve the team doctor is going to support me along with Martin the chef de mission at my races.

Race Schedule
12th Road Race 2pm 160km
16th Pursuit Qual and Round 1
17th Pursuit Final and Points Race Qual
18th Points Race Final