The Pointy End of the Season!

Well its been a hot and busy last couple of months. It has been a challenge trying to get my training sessions done in the 40+degree heat and planning has been the key. Early morning starts and track sessions before the sun gets high have meant I haven't had to miss too many key training sessions. Sebastian has started back at school, so we have been getting back into familiar routines too.

I have started training with new coach too, Victorian track stalwart Daryl Perkins. He is a legend in the track cycling arena worldwide and under his tutelage I know I can make the gains I have been striving for. Of course this has meant a few changes to my training and adaptations are starting to happen, but we are looking for long term gains at the World Champs, of which I am very positive about.

Over the last month we have raced at two track carnivals, Wangaratta and Wagga. At both meets I raced on a smaller gear than I would have perhaps traditionally chosen, to try and improve my cadence and pedalling efficiency. I was really very happy with my performances at both meets, managing to get into most of the wheel race finals. It was hot at Wagga, but plenty of ice and water helped!

Unfortunately at both meets, the women's entries were down on previous years so we had most races with the men. It was a shame there weren't many women because both clubs work really hard to put on these meets and they are always good fun. I don't believe that the prize money should be used as an excuse because lets face-it, when do you ever make money in track cycling??? Ok sometimes we cover the petrol or accom, but it can be such a lottery! The beauty of these carnivals for me was that I got plenty of racing out, I got to watch plenty of racing, and got to catch-up with lots of other riders who love the sport! (Although I do hate to admit it but at Wagga Sebastian won 5 out of 7 races and almost as much $$ as me!)

The weekend last saw the running of the Victorian Masters Track Cycling Champs. Always a fun weekend, this one didn't disappoint. It was great to see many new (&old) faces ripping it up around DISC. For many this was their first experience at Masters Champs and there were so many happy people, they should be very proud of themselves. I hope they return for more at Aussie Nationals!

I had a good champs. I won the 500m TT in a time that equalled my World Champs time so very happy with that. My flying 200m was a little off but Daryl and I are trying some things out and now we have more info to work with, and I know there's heaps there. Not a lot of sprint races but they were quality ones. I was trying out different tactics and it was great fun to race against a strong competitor such as Gabrielle Belz. She's definitely one to keep an eye on! The scratch race was an all in and all the ladies were trying for the win. The winning move was made by Kerrie Baumgartner at two laps to go, I was boxed in so couldn't go with her (my tactical mistake) but at 1 lap to go I managed to get out and I almost got her on the line! Check out this picture of our finish: http://www.vic.cycling.org.au/Track/Results/ArtMID/4352/ArticleID/6465/Victorian-Masters-Track-Championships# Well done to all the women for such a fast and aggressive race! And thanks to all the volunteers, officials and Vic Cycling Staff who make this event possible.

Coming up is the Austral which is perfect timing for my lead in to Aussie National Masters. There will be some quality lady riders which will be great for fine tuning my head and body! Sebastian is riding at the Junior Austral and then he has his state U11 champs the next day, so looking forward to a great weekend!