About Me

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Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
I am a professional cyclist for Drapac Pro Cycling. An Australian registered Pro Continental team. My hometown is Dunedin in New Zealand. I also study business and event management. Racing my bike around the globe aiming to get to the highest level in the sport.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

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

Saturday, November 5, 2011

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.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

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

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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