Share a Brew With… – Peloton Cafe

Share A Brew With… Michael Storer

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:20:55 +0000

Peloton Cafe || Michael Storer (image copyright Con Chronis)

Michael Storer has been turning heads since his 3^rd in the Junior Worlds time trial, but even in that, his debut in the elite ranks has been impressive. In his first outing in the Tour of Bright he was 8^th overall against some quality climbers, then backed it up with a series of impressive results in the Under 23 nationals; 6^th in the Time Trial and 5^th in the Road Race. Perhaps the biggest surprise he saved for his debut against World Tour opposition, as he looked comfortable riding in front group on the final laps, finishing in the group behind solo winner Peter Kennaugh in 19^th position.

He was awarded the young rider?s jersey as the top placed Under 23 rider, a significant feat given that he?s just 18 at the moment. After the race, Storer spoke to Peloton Caf? about how he physically coped with the race.

?I wouldn?t say it was easy, but I found it very manageable. I was able to go with the best guys on the climbs, I wasn?t sure what I?d be able to do coming into today. So I just took it as it came. I knew that a good Under 23 should be competitive at this level, I was confident that I could do it so I just backed myself and went for it.?

The fresh faced Storer looked at ease on the bike, but slightly lost in the hustle of the post-race media zone, and team director of the Jayco Australian National Team and World Tour Academy sports director James Victor confirmed that there was still a very long way to go for the Perth-born Storer to make it in the cycling world. Victor first praised the new star?s eyecatching ride.

?An exceptional ride from an 18 year old as a first year Under 23. He?s got super physiology, can time trial on his day, he was third in the junior worlds time trial two years ago. He?s got a bright future ahead of him with his physiology, it?s now about learning how to race in big pelotons with a lot more watts on the pedals. Getting physically stronger, but mentally ticking boxes as well. He?s doing everything right so far, keeping his eyes wide open, learning as much as he can. He?s certainly physically talented, but once he gets to Europe it?s a totally different ball game.?

Storer will have plenty of time to deliver on that potential, and will hopefully give lots of excitement to cycling fans around Australia and the world as they watch his progression from junior prodigy to potential star of the sport. For now Storer?s ambitions are very much process-orientated, with the focus on the next steps that will take him to that top level.

?In the short time I?ve got the Herald Sun Tour, then I?m looking to race in the Under 23s in Europe and hopefully I can get some results there.?

Storer will line up next for the KordaMenthe Real Estate Australian National Team in the Herald Sun Tour from the 3^rd-7^th of February.

Check out Fishy?s podcast Brakedownpodcast for more great interviews, race previews and reports.

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Share A Brew With… Lauren Kitchen

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 06:19:04 +0000

Peloton Cafe || 2016 Santos Women’s Tour – Lauren Kitchen (image copyright Jarrod Partridge)

By Jamie Finch-Penninger?? @FishysCP

Lauren Kitchen is one of Australia?s top road cyclists, but we don?t get to see a great deal of her racing, with the majority of her racing overseas. When she does ride in Australia it has been as an outnumbered solo entrant in recent years, but with the UCI classification of the Santos Women?s Tour and Cadel Evan?s race, Australian racing fans will get to see Kitchen compete with her Norwegian based Hitech team. Lauren Kitchen sat down with Peloton Caf? in the middle of the Santos Women?s Tour, where she finished 3^rd overall,

Peloton Cafe: How did you come to be on a Norwegian team in Hitec Products?

Lauren Kitchen: Well I just talked to the director Karl, and they wanted me to join the team three years ago now. I really enjoy being with a Scandanavian team, it?s quite an international team, they give me a lot of opportunities and they also support me really well, like coming all the way out to Australia for the Tour Down Under.?

PC: Is it a different culture coming from an Australian context to a Norwegian team?

LK: I really enjoy the Norwegian flavour of the team and being with the girls, I really like getting to see different places I wouldn?t get to see if I was with an Australian team.

PC: Your 2015 season was very successful, would you say that it was your best so far?

LK: 2015 was a really great season for me, and I hope that I can continue building on that for this year, and it would be great to continue with my good results here, to thank the team for coming out and supporting me here.

PC: If you had to pick one result that people would remember you from your results to date, what would it be?

LK: I think the biggest result for me was when I won the Ronde van Overijssel in the Netherlands last year, but winning the Oceania title was definitely big as well. My ride at the World Championships as well, even though I didn?t come away with a result, being out there at the front of the race until finale and being on TV around the world was a good performance.

PC: You?ve been a professional cyclist for some years now, starting off with the Jayco World Academy team and have gone through a few teams since then. How have you developed through your career?

LK: It?s changed a lot over the years, but I?m really happy with the pathway I?ve chosen, having a few years with the Australian national team then moving into Rabobank, Wiggle Honda and now Hitech, and I think I?ve found where I?m happy. You can get a good balance of opportunity and also racing at the top level with some of the most experienced riders in the peloton like Tatiana Guderzo, it?s really good having teammates like Tati to help me progress.?

PC: And for this season, it will be the first season of the Women?s World Tour, how optimistic are the peloton about how that will be implemented and raise the profile of women?s cycling?

LK: It?s really exciting having the World Tour and more races that will be televised, that?s going to be the main thing for us. It will be more competitive with more teams being more professional and hopefully more sponsors come to women?s cycling with the increased coverage. We?re looking forward to it, and I hope to be able to target those races in the spring.?

PC: How do you find coming to race a lot of the races in Australia as an individual, here (at the Santos Women?s Tour) you?ve got the luxury of a team to help, but normally you?re a lone rider going up against Orica-AIS.

LK: It was very difficult racing the Nationals alone, Orica-AIS have 7 professional riders, not just an NRS team racing against the pros. It was challenging, but you can only do what you can on the day. It comes down to a bit of luck when you?re in my situation, unfortunately this year I didn?t have that. It?s great to have my team here today, but still Orica are very strong, they?ve all been out here training, whereas all the other international teams have just flown in for the race.

PC: What?s the first thing you do when you come back to Australia?

LK: I really love going to the beach in Australia, as it?s something we don?t really get in Europe, and the caf? culture here, being able to have breakfasts and catch up with people.

Kitchen and Hitech Products will next be competing in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on January 30^th.

Check out Fishy?s podcast Brakedownpodcast for more great interviews, race previews and reports.

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Share a Brew With…Ed Clemens

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Peloton Cafe || Ed Clemens

By Sam Young This summer has seen a number of international riders base themselves in Adelaide over the summer, taking the opportunity to get away from the cold of winter in Europe, and to take advantage of the variety of training available here. One such rider is Ed Clemens from Buckinghamshire in the UK. The easy-going Brit is racing in Adelaide for the Swiss Wellness Cycling Team, competing in the Bowdens Elite Teams Series, and racking up the kilometres to hopefully set himself up for the European season ahead. Peloton Caf? caught up with Clemens to chat about training and racing in Australia, and what to look out for in the coming season. Ed arrived in Australia in November, and Swiss Wellness was instrumental in providing him with the opportunity. ?As soon as I got here Mick Slater (The manager of SWC) picked me up from the airport, gave me a lift to Brad?s, and gave me a load of kit and that. They?re really good at giving support for under 23s, and that kinda age group where riders are almost breaking through.? Ed turned 21?last Friday, and he was clearly keen to show his appreciation for the support the team provided, winning his first race on Australian soil, a Norwood Cycling Club road race on the range. Although the scenery was different, the style of course was very similar to what he?s used to at home. ?The road race I did, when I got here was a good way to start with a bang. Our road races are always fully sold out, so it was a bit weird racing with like, 35 guys, but it was still a good race, that course was similar to what we ride at home, a 10 mile lap with a climb in it.? Since then he?s settled in nicely, although he has noticed some differences between the racing here and in the UK. Used to racing over distances of 70-130 miles (110-210km) racing mostly short club races and criteriums is a different experience. Despite that, Clemens is careful not to over commit whilst he?s here. ?I?m trying to not race too much when I?m here. I?m doing the Bowdens series, but not over racing so when I go back I?ve got a full season when I get home.? One of the most important aspects of being in Adelaide for Ed has been the opportunity to get some solid training in. ?Having the variety of roads, and being able to go out down military road and smash it down there on a chain gang is perfect, and then being able to go out and get like 3500m in the hills is fantastic. And warm weather as well is pretty nice. It?s like, Icy roads at home at the moment. ? Here till February, Ed is hoping for big things in the coming season, with the first goal being in April; ?There?s the Rutland ? Melton International CiCLE Classic which is a race that really suits me, and I always wanna do well in it but I always seem to mess up so I want to have a good crack at it this year. It?s one of the only UCI races at home I can do.?

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Share A Brew With…Fly6 Creator Andrew Hagen

Sun, 28 Sep 2014 13:00:00 +0000

By Rob Cumine Perth based Andrew Hagen had an idea about combining cycling safety and a rearward facing camera. The result is Fly6 which has resulted in hundreds of orders before the first Fly6 came off the production line. The Fly6 enters the compact sport camera category with more than just a camera but with safety in mind. ?I?d say that it is the first ever camera designed specifically for cyclists ? it is not an action cam, it is a safety camera.? The Fly6 was sold out even before they hit our shores. ?we have been struggling to keep up with demand for our first product, Fly6 however we think we are on top of it now.? ?It?s great to see the take up of the concept of a camera facing rear, particularly from the international community ? we have sold to over 28 countries already! It?s funny, but because we don?t have eyes in the back of our head, we don?t often think of what happens behind us on our rides. As you have seen with your Fly6, it is very revealing!? The hope is that more motorists become aware that there ?might? be a camera on bicycles on the roads and then they will give cyclists more space, increasing our safety and hopefully reducing car vs cyclists related accidents. ?It?s a self policing phenomena that we see when there is a traffic light camera on a set of lights?we take more care!? How the project began. ?My business partner and co-inventor of Fly6 was riding by himself in the hills on the outskirts of Perth when some young guys drove up next to him and from point blank range, shot him with a elasticated slingshot. This was obviously painful and by the time he had realised what had just happened, the young guys laughed and drove off before he could identify the vehicle. It was obvious that had he had a rear camera, the number plate would have been captured and the young guys brought to justice (hopefully to never do it again). After researching the market we found nothing was available specifically for cyclists and on a flight back from snowboarding Kingsley pitched the idea of a rear facing camera to Andrew and after some trial and expereiment, maxed out credit cards and morgatages on their houses the Fly6 entered our market.? Research and development. ?We had an idea, we took it to expert consultants to use their experience to make sure the design is robust, effective and able to be produced. We had our consultants deal direct with a factory to work through prototyping until we were happy with the results. From memory there were 6 prototypes before we were happy to go ahead. We did a few pilot production runs to test systems and then we placed our first big order (which is where our Fly6 came from!)? From the use we have had we haven?t noticed any lack of definition of number plates. The camera records in High Definition 720 why not a full 1280? What angle does the camera capture? Fly6 is a good camera and a good light. It is not the best camera and it is not the best light. When you compare the features of Fly6, the weight of Fly6 and the cost of Fly6 with some of the action cameras on the market, you will quickly see that the value for money is incredible. We didn?t use 1080 in our first model as we were trying to keep the price down. Also, the amount of data produced at 1080 is more than double that of 720 making it more laborious to use the footage post ride. We are all about making things simple for our customers because that is what we want from our devices. Don?t forget ? Fly6 is a safety device, not an action camera! The camera angle is 130 degrees. Riding on wet roads is never fun, but how water proof is theFly6? It is designed to withstand normal cycling conditions. We sometimes ride in the pouring rain and Fly6 will continue to work in these conditions. In addition, we have included a world first for a cycling accessory and that is Nano Technology. This technology turns parts of the devices that were previously susceptible to corrosion to a hydrophobic state. This means that they repel the water molecules on a Nano level. From the users perspective it looks and feels no different but it means that if your Fly6 gets water inside of it, it won?t corrode of stop working for that reason. It?s actually amazing technology and we have even completely drowned a Fly6 and kept using it from the next day without fail?very impressive stuff. We are very excited to be the first cycling accessory in the world to implement this technology. The Fly6 really takes on cyclist safety incorporating a rear red light and a camera so that if you?re involved in an incident you have evidence. In recent months there has been a lot of talk in parliament, the media and cyclists about bicycle safety and advocacy do you see the Fly6 as a solution? The media has started bringing the awareness of cycling cameras into the mainstream consciousness of everyone (including motorists). When motorists become aware that cameras ?might? be on bikes, then Fly6 will have done its job! It?s a big mission but we are going to make it happen. The package overall is well presented and you get a variety of different accessories. The design of the Fly6 is larger than some rear lights however it does contain a video camera, and is very easy to install. We have gone to great lengths to make sure Fly6 is ready to go out of the box. No accessories needed, not trips down the store to buy a ?decent? memory card and no painful swipe of your credit card?.we have designed it to do what we would expect from all things you buy. We really hope it shakes up the establishment in terms of providing customers with great value and a no nonsense device! Is there a front mounted camera and light in production? Can you reveal any details? It would have to be our most frequent request ? ?what is happening with the front camera?? A lot of action occurs in front of us as well whether that?s out on the road or on the trails. Will we see a front mounted Fly unit? Yes, we are designing Fly12 at the moment and while I can say we are very happy with Fly6, Fly12 is going to a whole new level. We have new designers that have taken the aesthetics to a whole new level and the features will be off the hook!! We can?t say much more than that as it is very early days but we hope to be able to reveal more towards the end of the year. I should say in closing, Fly6 has been used a number of times already in different continents to successfully prosecute motorists for various offences from most notably hitting a cyclist and driving away (Australia) to other motoring infringments. This is very exciting for us as it proves the concept we thought of all those years and dollars ago.

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Share A Brew with Budget Forklifts Fast Man – Jesse Kerrison

Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Peloton Cafe chats with Budget Forklifts Jesse Kerrison on his first NRS tour victory, the team’s North American tour and the future ahead. On the weekend you got your first tour victory, how did that feel? Yeah, last weekend on the Tour of the Murray, to win the tour was crazy, the whole team worked incredibly hard for the whole week and to be able to finish it off the way we did was great, couldn?t have been better. How were the conditions for the tour? It seemed the wind played a big part in the outcome of the stages. Well last year the Tour of the Murray was dead still and I was expecting the same again this year, but then on the 2nd and 3rd stages we had crosswinds all day and that caught a lot of people out. Stage 3 saw the big split happen, you guys had 5 riders make the split on the day. ?It must give you heaps of confidence to be riding with such strong guys? When you look at our team we have a lot of big engines, and as soon as it went crosswind our plan was to try and break up the field. How did the team perform over the tour, everyone happy with their results? As with any race there are points we excelled in and points we didn?t, but as a whole it was a great tour for the team. Alex Wohler came down pretty hard in the last stage, any news on him? Yeah he has a broken scapular and a broken collarbone, looks like he will be out for around six weeks, was very unlucky. Well pass on our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery! Budget took the team across to the USA and Canada in June, how was it? It was eye opening, we started off with the Philladelphia Classic and that was incredible, the crowds and atmosphere were amazing. Our results were not ideal, we had just got off the plane a few days before the race and that showed, but it was a great step into racing over there. Then we had the Grand Prix Cycliste Saguenay and Tour De Beauce in Canada. Saguenay was meant to be a sprinters tour but it turned out there was a lot more climbing than we expected, it took us a while to get into the swing of things but once we did the results came. We showed that in the Tour De Beauce when Brodie Talbot came second on the Quebec stage. So you found it beneficial yourself, what sort of things did you take out of the trip? My strength definitely, for Tour De Beauce I pretty much spent the week helping the team and dragging myself over the hills, while it wasn?t fun at the time it was definitely beneficial. At the Tour of the Murray I felt strong for the whole tour and I?m sure that came from the time in the USA. So how do you rate the US scene compared to the Australian scene? It was great to ride in a deeper quality field, you have 150 riders of the same level rather than 50, it was a whole new style of racing, and to learn from that is great. Because of the depth of the fields the racing itself is different, it’s more of what we would call gentlemen?s racing. If a break goes, then the different teams would work together to bring it back, more like world tour racing. So a bit more developed in the USA whereas the Australian scene is a little more raw? Yeah, which in some ways could be harder but in some ways easier. Have you noticed a difference in the approach of the team since you have been back, with confidence and strategy? Because the racing between here and the USA is so different you have to approach them in different ways. We definitely used things we learnt while overseas in the Tour of the Murray. Like when it looks like we have to ride on the front we learnt to make the decision and act on it straight away. On a whole though I think Budget is pretty good at working as a team. Tell me your thoughts on the progression and development of the NRS? The way things are going is great. I think we need longer and tougher tours and road races and it’s heading in that direction. You can see it in the quality of the fields from last year to this year, we have taken another step towards where we need to be. How about on your personal development? If we took you back two years, would you be happy with how things are moving forward? Yeah definitely. We have taken a slow and steady approach with all the training and racing and I have been seeing improvement and thats what you need at this level, just to keep seeing improvement. This year’s program has been heavy so far and obviously more racing to come, how is the body holding up? I certainly felt like I was starting to get fatigued after the USA trip. I was lucky to have some time off before preparing for the Tour of the Murray, I know my body pretty well so I just need to stay on top of things and make sure I don?t push it too far. Will you look at racing any of the one day races coming up, Grafton to Inverell or Melbourne to Warnambool this year? Yeah I did the Melbourne to Warnambool last year for the first time. It was one of the hardest races I have done but it was incredible so I would love to be able to do well in that race, so I will definitely target that one. If the team needs me for Grafton to Inverell I’ll give it a crack but the Gibraltar Range isn’t exactly my cup of tea! So tell us about your ambitions and dream, where do you want to be in five years? Well I guess if you ask that question of any cyclist at this level everyone will say the World Tour, and I’m no different. The end goal is World Tour and to represent Australia but it’s a slow building process towards that and hopefully I get there one day. So how about your plans for next year, there has been talk about Europe, how are things going on that front? My coach and I have been talking to a few teams but its probably at that point where its hard to say where things are heading. There are teams showing interest but not 100% so to say anything would be speculation at this stage. So as with any elite sports person you need a good support network behind you, who inspires and motivates you? Well my coach Ian Melvin is a huge one. He has been with me for years and even though he is overseas now with the Canadian track program he is still constantly helping me, supporting me and putting up with me when I have a bad day training. My team director Cameron Watt is a big motivator for me. Since I started with Budget he has been one of the most supportive people I have met and I think he is a large part of why we (Budget) have the success we do. Of course my parents, I owe almost everything to them. I started cycling because of them, I had the opportunities as a junior because of them, they have always looked after me and kept me safe and well and they have taught me skills that I’m able to bring into cycling at this level, so without them I wouldn?t be where I am now. A few quick fire questions to end with Jesse Sock length, long or short? Long Carbon or alloy bars? Alloy Gloves or no gloves? (laughs) Up until a few weeks ago I would have said no gloves but I had a crash so now I would have to say gloves. Sweet or savoury? Sweet, I have a ?problem? with haribo lollies. Pasta or rice? Rice. Chicken or fish? Fish. Thanks for the brew Jesse, my shout next time…

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Share A Brew With… Budget Forklifts Jesse Kerrison

Tue, 20 May 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Peloton Cafe || Jesse Kerrison (image copyright ESi Sports Photography)

By Ben Foster Jesse Kerrison or ?Kerro? as he?s more affectionately known within the Peloton, is one of the true nice guys. One of the guys who has always got a smile on his face, no matter how hot, wet or tough the conditions are. But, don?t let the pearly whites fool you, when it comes to laying down some serious wattage in an all-out bunchy, Kerro?s there to play for keeps. At only 19, he?s had his fair share solid results too, proving himself as one of the countries top Sprinters and fast paving his way to a successful international career. He?s taken multiple stage wins in the National Road Series already this year, his most recent being at Battle On The Border just last week. He wore the Young Riders blue jersey at the UCI 2.1 Tour of China last year and can certainly hold his own on the boards when he finds the time to get back on. We caught up with Kerro for a brew post Battle as he prepares for his next overseas leg, this time in the US of A. So, tell us how the first half of the year has gone, mate? Yeah, look, not too bad. If I?m honest, I would liked to have done better at Bay Crits, but my your form at that early part of the year is always pretty hit and miss. We then went through to Singapore OCBC Criterium where I was really hoping for a big result, but a run-in with a fence put a stop to that (laughs). One of the Italian guys ran me a little wide and the road got a little narrow? next thing I know I?m in the fence. (laughs) After that, things started looking up. We had the Adelaide Tour where I was able to take a stage win and the team was able to take the overall win, so we were really happy with that. Give us a bit more insight into the OCBC race. From what we?ve seen on TV it looks pretty mental! How?d it come about? Well, I think the invite came about due to some of the results Budget was able to get last year in some of the bigger Asian races we did. It was next-level racing though. Super hard, super fast, technical, massive crowd and just soooooo much fun. It?s always impressive getting to race in a different country with completely different culture. Sounds pretty intense! You?ve got some big races coming up, right? You?ve just finished Battle On The Border and then Toowoomba? Well, yes and no. We had Battle, which was tough, but I?m not actually doing Toowoomba now, as there?s a bunch of us from Budget heading to the USA and Canada for some racing. Wow! Sounds, great. Lets talk about Battle first, then we?ll get to the USA. You took a stage win, right?? Yeah, I managed to take the win on the second day. It?s a stage I said I wanted to win for a long time now and I was happy I was able to convert. It was a pretty bergy stage, but I knew it well and having the hometown advantage on it definitely help. My goal was to just get over the Hogans Loop with the bunch and I knew if I did that, I?d be in with a good shot. But, racing, actually, I?ll say riding for me (laughs), up Mount Warning the day before definitely took the sting out of my legs. That hill is just sooooooo big. That whole tour is a tough race, particularly for a sprinter. Then, on top of that, this year we really didn?t have favourable weather conditions. It was either bucketing rain, like it did most of the second day, or really hot. Still, we had a pretty good tour I reckon, and the team rode really well the whole week. I can?t wait to see what our guys that are staying will be able to do on that ultra-tough Toowoomba course. Nice work. Another stage win has gotta feel good. OK, so tell us about the USA trip, sounds like it?s going to be a great opportunity? Yeah, I can?t wait! We got the call up to do the Philly Classis, the Tour de Saguenay and the Tour of Beauce. I?ll be doing the first two and it?s my first time in the USA and Canada, which I?m really excited about. I?m keen to really test myself over there and have a good crack. Do you know much about the races? Well, Philly is a one-day race, 180km race with a 5-minute berg each lap and the finish on top of that same berg. On paper, it?s probably not a race for me, but man, what an experience anyway. I can?t wait! And what about Saguenay? That?s Canada, correct? Yeah, it?s in Canada. For me, looking at the event on paper, it looks much like a scaled down version of Battle On The Border. It?s not as hilly, mostly sprint stages. I?ll be really aiming towards that race and hoping for a good result, but we?ll see what it?s like when I get there, I guess. OK, awesome! What a brilliant mid-season trip for you. What?s the plans after that? Well, we come back To Australia and I?ve got a pretty busy end to the year. We?ve got a few races in China again, plus all the regular NRS ones with Murray, Gippsland and the Warny again. We had a big result as a team there last year, so we?d love to emulate it again. For me though, I?m really targeting the races in China and see what I can do there. What?s it like racing in China? It?s a pretty different place. It?s UNBELIEVABLE. You rock up to the start, you?ll roll away from the start line and within 1km you?re on an eight-lane highway that they?ve completely shut down just for the race. It?s always fast, it?s crazy and each and every riding is giving it everything they?ve got to be at the front. Throw in all the weird foods, the awesome people, the atmosphere and the travel and it makes for an interesting trip to say the least. Mate, so you had some big results last year and you?ve already clocked some good ones this year? the big question, Europe next year? I?d like to say that?s the plan. I think the results I had last year and so far this year have helped to put my name in front of a few of the teams, but I think my job now is to really cement that with another year of good results. That?s the way I?m looking at it anyway. I need to do the job right here first, before I get ahead of myself and start worrying about next year. So, can you let us know who any of those teams might be? (laughs) Look, it?s really too early to say anything yet. I can say we?re in talks with some, but it?s so early on and it?s purely just talks, there?s absolutely nothing concrete on the table yet. As I said, my job this year is to ride for Budget, who have been absolutely brilliant to me and my goal is to return that support to them to the best of my ability. I?d love to be in Europe one day though, I think it?s every competitive cyclists dream? it?s where the history is, the best riders in the world, the best races and it?s really the pinnacle of the sport, so to say I?m not thinking about it would be a lie, but for now, I?m focused on what?s in front of me. Awesome, mate. Let?s talk about Budget. You?re in your second year with them right? You look pretty happy there and they seem like a great fit for you. I can?t speak highly enough of the entire Budget Team. If I do ever head to Europe, the hardest part for me would be saying goodbye to those guys. As soon as I came into the team I felt like I was part of the family. Everyone?s got each others backs, it?s fun, and we all ride really well together. There?s no animosity between any of the riders and we?re all willing to absolutely lay it on the line for each other. I?m stoked to be a part of it and couldn?t ask for a better group of mates. Awesome, mate. Thanks for the brew and enjoy the US of A.?

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Share a Brew With Dion Smith

Sun, 30 Mar 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Peloton Cafe || Dion Smith (image courtesy PureBlack Racing)

By Astrid van Uden (@astridvanuden) With the first race of the National Road Calendar (NRC) about to get underway on April 2^nd, young Kiwi rider Dion Smith is ready to build on his successful 2013 season with his new team, the Hincapie Sportswear Development Team. Smith will be joining fellow Kiwi Alexander Ray in their first year with the team, whilst friend Australian, Joseph Lewis, will be returning for his second season with the American outfit.?This will be the first full year Smith has spent on a professional team, having had stints with PureBlack Racing in 2012 and racing on amateur teams Full Circle Cycling and Predator Carbon Repair Cycling Team in 2013. ?Yes this will be my first ‘real’ team I?will be?apart of for a whole year. I was racing in America last year with an amateur team for 6 months, I managed to get some good results throughout the year and with that started sending my resume out to as many teams as I could.? Smith caught the eye of Chief Sporting Director for Hincapie Sportswear Development Team and former professional cyclist, Thomas Craven, at the beginning of 2013 and Craven kept his eye on him ever since. ?The first I heard about Dion was from my good friend in California, Jamie Paolinetti. ?He and I raced on the Chevrolet LA Sheriff team in the 90?s. ?He sent me a Facebook message in the beginning of last year when Dion first came to the States and said he had someone for me to take a look at. It was Dion and so I took note.? Racing on amateur teams can be tough, especially without the full support that a professional continental team provides to cyclists, but that did not stop Dion from racing at the highest possible level and achieving good results. Having won a stage of the Merco Cycling Classic in March against riders from the Bissell Pro Cycling and Jamis Hagens Berman teams, it was all uphill for Smith in his first season racing in the USA. ?The 2013 season gave me a good insight into what the American racing scene is like, I know what races will suit me well so I can go into those races more confident and know what to expect,? said Smith. Craven continued to keep an eye on the young rider from New Zealand: ?The next time I saw him was in the Parx Classic in Philly. ?[It is] a super tough race for anyone and a hard race to read for a new guy to the US scene. ?Dion was really very active in all the right times during the race and he ended up winning the king of the hill and was 6th or 7th in the gallop to the line after being off the front the final lap I introduced myself to him there as I was quite impressed.? The rest is history, Craven made sure to enquire his circle of trusted cycling friends to find out more about Smith, contacting Kiwi, Graeme Millar, who spoke very highly of him. ?So I kept looking at his results through the year and I saw that he could sprint, climb and hold is own with the guys already on the team so it was only a matter of convincing him that this would be the right environment for him.? For Smith it was a no brainer, the Hincapie Development Team has a great set of values and structure behind them to set up young riders for the future. Having spent the later part of the season as a Stagiaire (a cycling intern) for the now defunct Champion Systems Pro Cycling Team, Smith has learnt a lot in the past 12 months on the bike and is ready for a new challenge. ?It was a great experience and an eye opener doing a stint at the pro conti level over in Europe last year?racing some of the best guys in the world,? said Smith, ?I now?have a better understanding what it takes to get to that level, which is improving year by year and learning from every opportunity.? Smith is currently training in California with the Hincapie Development team in preparation for the Redlands Bicycle Classic, a five-day stage race that has been running for over 30 years now. Smith is looking to make a good first impression for the team, as he believes that it could be a race that suits his strengths. ?My first race will be Redlands Bicycle Classic and going off last year its a race that could suit me to win a stage or do well on GC but we have a really strong team going so anyone of us could be up the for the win.? With riders such as Ty Manger, Joey Rosskopf and Lewis (to name a few) on the team, whom are all proving themselves as talented riders; Smith is set for an exciting year of racing. ?I would like to see Dion race as he did last year, hopefully he can focus on his training and racing and not on where he will be sleeping and how he is going to pay for food! ?I want him to race the tougher stage races that we have on our schedule and let him step into whatever role he wants. ?Our team is not about propelling one or two guys into the next stage of their career but building better bike racers out of everyone on our team.? Smith has put his hand up for the big invitation races such as the Tour de Beauce, Tour of Utah and US Pro Challenge, should the team get invited. ?There are a lot of races that I haven’t done like some of the big tours like Utah, Colorado and Tour de Beauce which are all on Hincapie’s schedule and depending on if we get invites to them they will definitely be races I would like to give a good go.? But for now Smith is focusing on the NRC and getting to know his new teammates. ?I would like to do well in the Winston-Salem Classic, which is a one day race and which I got 3rd in?last year, but hope to better that, also the Philadelphia Classic and the Tour de Beauce would be at the top of the list. But I am not looking to far ahead at this stage, just concentrating on these first few months then I will go from there.? With a mixture of returning riders and new riders in the team, Smith and the other newcomers spent team camp getting to know his fellow teammates and finding his position within the team. ?The team has been great so far, all the staff look after us really well and?all?my team mates are top blokes and get on really well together. Although being 1 of the 4 foreigners on the team I get a bit of stick about my accent, strangely enough?the most from my Aussie team mate Joe Lewis.? Despite the language (accent) barrier, Craven believes Smith is the perfect fit for the team stating: ??He has all the attributes that I look for, humble, funny and enjoys racing bikes. So I am confidant he will fit in, he? just like the rest of the guys on the team.? You can follow Smith in 2014 through his or the team’s Twitter handles @DionSmithy or @HincapieDevo.

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Share a Brew with Alex Wohler

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 13:00:00 +0000

By Astrid van Uden (@astridvanuden) Following a successful first round of the Queensland Road Series where he won a stage, came second overall and dominated both the sprint and U23 competitions, Alex Wohler is looking forward to the first race of the Subaru National Road Series (NRS) in Perth this week. On Wednesday March 26th the four-stage Tour de Perth begins and Wohler will be lining up with his team, Team Budget Forklifts, for the season opener. With a fantastic start to the year, Wohler would like to build on that success and the momentum he created in 2013 whilst also racing with Team Budget Forklifts. Although in 2013, Wohler did not stand on the podium at a NRS race this will be one of his big goals for 2014 and he believes that Team Budget Forklifts provides a great platform for him to focus on that goal. ?Team Budget Forklifts offer a great environment both on & off the bike. Everyone in the team are so close we all get along very well and will do anything to see each other win,? said Wohler, ?I’m looking at focusing on progressing as a rider and being better than I was last year as well as being a great team mate who is stable and strong in every race.? In his final year as a U23 rider, Wohler is also looking for that big result which is going to propel him to the next level of professional cycling. ?[My] final year of U23 has come round quickly and with this being the last year before stepping into the Elite ranks I would ideally be looking to get as many results as possible.? Wohler is determined to show his ability to either overseas or domestic teams in Australia to create future opportunities for 2015 and will get the opportunity to do so with Team Budget Forklifts, who will be racing in the NRS, with the possibility of racing international UCI races as they have done in the past. ?I have always wanted to race in Europe or America, to experience that style of racing and travel so we will see what happens this year and make a decision whether I make a step overseas next year or stay here for another season to develop further.? Whether he decides to make that jump or not depends on how he performs this year but Wohler has the determination and drive of someone who wants to go far in the sport. Team Budget Forklifts is definitely supportive of where he wants to go. ?That’s the reason why I love this team and why I wanted to continue for another year. I’m looking forward to starting the NRS season in the coming week and getting the opportunity to race overseas in some more UCI races.? The Queensland native will be focusing this season on some of his local races this year, where he would like to shine in his home state. He feels the pressure of doing well in the NRS Battle on the Border, especially since the roads are ones that he knows very well. ?I have a few races on the cards I would like to do well in, in terms of NRS, the Battle on the Border is a focus as it’s in my backyard and having an advantage of knowing the roads will definitely come in handy. ?The Tour of Gippsland and Grafton to Inverell have always been races I love to attend and to pull a good result in both would be very satisfying. ?We don’t know what our international calendar is yet but a few local races here in Queensland like the State Time Trial, Road Race Championships and the Queensland Road Team Series are all races I would be aiming to do well in.? But first, the Tour de Perth is calling and Wohler believes his fitness is ready for the challenge that lies ahead this week: ?with a long season on the cards this year managing my fitness is important to being competitive at the events I race. With the NRS starting in a few days time in Perth, I think I?m in great shape to be able to challenge for a stage win.? The four-day Tour de Perth features a 45km Criterium, two road stages and the Rottnest Island Individual Time Trial beginning on March 26^th. You can follow Alex Wohler on his twitter @alwohler and website www.alexwohler.com.

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Share A Brew With… Wiggle Honda’s Anna Sanchis

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Peloton Cafe || Anna Sanchis (image courtesy Wiggle Honda)

By Bart Hazen Anna Sanchis was born on the 18th October 1987 in Genoves, Valencia, Spain. Since the day she was born Anna grew up with bikes with her father Jos? Salvador Sanchis being a former professional cyclist and her mother Ana Chafer working in the family Sanchis bikeshop. At the age of five it all started for Anna when a member of the local cycling club V.C. Pedalier Xativa came to the shop and asked her to try out cycling. She competed in all categories from school teams, cadets, youth, juniors?Originally it was all for fun but later it became more and more serious. At that time Spain?s Joane Somarriba was one of the best female riders in the World and a huge inspiration for Anna to become a professional cyclist. She began her professional career in 2007, finishing seventh in her debut at the Giro Donne the following year. In 2009 she rode for the Italian Safi-Pasta Zara team before returning to Spain. She has been riding for Bizkaia-Durango the past four seasons but will be riding for Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in 2014. The 26-year-old from the Communidad Valenciana region of western Spain is the reigning Spanish time trial champion – a title that she won in 2012 when she was also road race champion. Last season she finished 16th in the Giro Donne, after performing well in the mountain stages. Anna is an excellent all-rounder, capable of achieving results on a large variety of terrain. Her all-round ability to climb and time trial will make her a valuable asset to the team in stage races and team time trials. Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling After riding the past four seasons for Bizkaia-Durango the Spanish Time Trial Champion is going to ride for the British based Wiggle Honda Cycling Team in 2014. Sanchis is very grateful for all the opportunities she got but she is now ready to make a step forward.? ?The past four years the team has given me everything they could possibly offer and whilst I?m very grateful that they have developed me to this level, I?m now ready for a change and to step up to the highest level. I?d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from my previous team, Bizkaia, and all the other wonderful people who have supported me until now. They have stood by us during the good times and, especially through those bad times when they had to personally struggle to offer their athletes all they could. I will be forever grateful.? Sanchis was very delighted with the chance Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling team manager and owner Rochelle Gilmore has given her when she signed the contract in November last year. ??I started talking to people on the team after the World Championships in Florence, Italy. They put me in touch with manager Rochelle Gilmore. From the beginning it felt good and I am very excited to be part of such an organised and professional team. I look forward to riding with a group of really good riders, who will motivate me to work as hard as possible to help the team?s leaders to win a lot of races. It will be a big change for me but it is a dream that?s come true! I am very happy they have given me this opportunity because I was struggling with finding a team and with my motivation. If Wiggle Honda didn?t come up I probably would have quit professional cycling.? For Sanchis it is the second time in her career she will be riding for a non-Spanish team after having ridden for the Italian Safi-Pasta Zara Team in 2009. In that same year Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling?s Giorgia Bronzini was one of her team mates and friends. But her period on Safi-Pasta Zara didn?t turn out well due to a knee injury and not getting paid by the team, but she is very confident her new adventure in a foreign team will turn out well. ?This time it is different because Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling is a very professional team and one of the best. For example on Bizkaia-Durango all staff members have a full-time or part-time job. On Wiggle Honda everyone is fully dedicated to only work for the team. Also the team structure, the approach of the races and the level of dedication is much different. Now I already have a global plan of how my season will look like. Before I didn?t have it and it was always a surprise when I was able to race. Personally I really want to be on a team with good cyclists like Giorgia Bronzini and Linda Villumsen who are constantly winning races. Working for them and helping them and the team to achieve this will help me to improve as a professional cyclist. It is really something special.? Medical studies and racing In 2014 Sanchis will combine her medical studies with international racing. With exams in January and June, Sanchis will start her season at the end of March with the World Cup Trofeo Binda. ?I’m studying medicines. I am following two courses, but each year I? do a few subjects. Cycling and studying at the same time is very difficult, but I hope to become a doctor one day. I have no hurry to finish my studies, the most important thing at the moment is the bike. After my cycling career I will focus on being a doctor, I hope.? Due to her examinations her final racing program still has to be finalized yet but the 26-year old will focus on the stage races this year. ?This team is missing someone to help Linda in the stage races and the high Mountains. I think I can be that rider. In the sprint finishes the team has already a lot of riders to support Bronzini. This year my goals will be the Giro Rosa and the Route de France. I really want to be good in these races. Either to help Linda (Villumsen) or to go for my own chance. Nothing has been 100% decided yet but I will most of the time compete in the stage races. These races really suit me and it is what really motivates me.? Sanchis continues: ?I am constantly chasing for the best. Consistency is very important in life. The Daily effort is very important to reach your objectives. Ups and downs, overcoming every obstacle? Nothing is impossible. The first step to achieve your objectives is to believe in them. Have faith in yourself and keep fighting. Persigue tus sue?os siempre. (Follow your dreams forever)?

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Share A Brew With… Wiggle Honda’s Peta Mullens

Sun, 16 Feb 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Peloton Cafe || 2014 Bay Cycling Classic – Peta Mullens (image copyright jxpphotography)

By Bart Hazen Peta Mullens was born on the 3rd?March 1988 in Bendigo, Victoria Australia. Since the day she was born Mullens has a very interesting story. She was born a twin, four weeks premature and unconscious. After eight minutes with no air and a tube down her throat, She took her first breath. She was born an ?Aussie Battler?. Mullens was an active child from the age of 9, competing in athletics and cross country and?at just 13 she completed her first marathon. At 15 she was crowned Australian Mountain Running Champion, then dabbled in Triathlon for 3 years before collecting Junior Australian titles in Road & Track Cycling, in addition to a bronze medal at the Junior Worlds. ??I was juggling athletics and triathlon at the time when taking part in a track carnival. I was competing in the 2000m Steeplechase event when I got pushed off the water jump and landed badly, spraining my ankle. Athlough not a serious injury it was enough to prevent me from running for a while and gave me time to try out some cycle races-I never looked back.? After her introduction to cycling Mullens raced for the AIS in Europe for two years before meeting a boy in Bendigo, and leaving the sporting culture she had lived and breathed her whole life. She tried to ease herself into the real world but?instead she wanted a piece of everything it threw at her. Mullens was?working full-time in Retail Management, studying a Diploma of Conveyancing and?renovating houses in-between training when she secured another two National titles in XCM and XCO MTB disciplines. After missing an Olympic year cycle, and with the Commonwealth Games fast approaching Mullens decided that she was hungry for something?more. Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling This year Mullens will pack her suit-case, her dreams and ambitions?and of course her new?orange Wiggle Honda?Pro Cycling kit,?and?re-locate to Europe to complete a full season both on and off road. She will be combining a domestique roll on the road with?a World Cup season on the MTB, all that while chasing?a sixth National title, a birth at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships,?and?more amazing memories?to continue?on her journey as an??Aussie Battler?.??I am really proud and relieved I have returned to cycling. It was always a tough decision to step away from the sport, but I?m proud that I was honest with myself and that I can now return to the sport in a more confident and mature state.? But becoming? one of the ?Wigglettes? wasn?t that obvious for Mullens who has spent the Australian winter working full-time as a retail manager, while being forced to spend time off the bike to recover from a back injury. She even felt it would be her last days as a professional athlete.??I wasn?t satisfied and I knew there were more challenges out there I was yet to face. So I made a plan that evolved around balancing a MTB and Road Racing calendar through 2014 and called in a favour from long-time friend and owner of Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling Rochelle Gilmore.? To join Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling was in her eyes the safest way to jump start her career as a professional athlete. Mullens has worked with Gilmore before in one of the teams she owned back in 2009, HP-Teschner. That she is now riding for her first professional team owned by her long-time friend makes it even more special.??I always knew that it was a dream of hers to run her own team, and in some way she has always been such an integral part of sponsors and team management in all of her previous teams, it was just a case of how she could balance the two. When I thought about that International leap to becoming a professional rider I thought back to all the stories I?ve heard of struggles in smaller teams and knew that a team managed by Rochelle (Gilmore) was a team that I definately wanted to be a part of, and the most enjoyable and safest way to jump start my career as a professional cyclist.? Australian Summer racing Having joined the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling Team in late October the 25-year old has had a very successful first few months with the British-licensed team in the Australian Summer racing with a win in the NSW Grand Prix in Wollongong and second places in the Noosa GP and the Australian National Criterium Championship last week. On top of that Mullens was part of the team that dominated the summer racing with prestigious wins in the NSW Grand Prix, Launceston GP and the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic. But Mullens isn?t surprised at all.??When I joined Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling I knew exactly what to expect and I wasn?t disappointed. Professionalism, passion and of course the feeling of winning that seems to go in tow with the Wiggle Honda name.?? At the moment Mullens is preparing for her first big race of the season,the Ladies Tour of Qatar (February 4-7). She is really looking forward to the race and to meet all the team and staff throughout the season.??I expect that as I gradually meet the team throughout the year and become a part of the family that many memories will be made and that there will be many victories and enjoyable moments.? Past that I expect ?that there will be a lot of challenges both on and off the bike but with such a great support (sponsors, team, staff) they?ll only be small bumps in the road-cobbles if you will.? Europe After the Tour of Qatar Mullens will head back home for a couple of weeks for some Mountainbiking before returning to Europe with her boyfriend and team mechanic Jarrod Moroni in mid-March.? Mullens, who considers herself an all-rounder, is going to focus on the one-day races.??I?m best suited to one day races. I like hills but not mountains, and can sprint but I?m not a sprinter. In Australia we would say ?the Jack of all trades and master of none?. I do love to read a race and predict the tactics of the other teams though, that?s my favourite part.? Her calendar is yet to be finalised but after Qatar, her European racing block will begin mid-March.? ?My European racing block kicks off mid-March with the team training camp in Italy. My season hopefully includes either a Commonwealth Games or World Championships start. I don?t really believe in making short- and long-term plans. I mean the Olympics always come to mind but I tend to seek happiness in whatever I do and if that leads me to the Olympic, Commonwealth Games or World Championships then I?m up for it.? Mountainbike Mullens, who?s motto is ?NGU (never give up)?, is going to combine a road season with a MTB World Cup (Target Trek MTB Team) season will have a very full schedule throughout the year.? But the 25 year old from Bendigo acknowledges it will be hard to combine both disciplines.??I?ll give it my best shot! It?s hard for me to say if it?s ?do-able?. There are a few girls who juggle it, but it takes an amazing athlete to succeed at both. So I?ll see where this year takes me and what aspects of it I enjoy, and then decide if I continue to combine both in the next few years towards the Olympics.? Asking Mullens how she got introduced into mountainbiking after being on the AIS road team several years ago she says???The AIS program structure was perfect for the type of athlete I was as a junior, but it didn?t suit the ?free spirit? athlete that I became. So when I left the AIS road program I took a break from cycling, and had my boyfriend introduce me into MTB?ing. The addiction was immediate and after some success, it became an obvious career choice for me. But don?t get me wrong. I enjoy the different challenges that each discipline presents, but more than anything I?ve just followed my heart and head through it all. I?m sure it would be a lot easier to do just one discipline, but where?s the fun in that? You only live once.?

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