By Kable Mitch

There was a last minute commitment to race on Sunday at Eastern Creek which took the number of kmd riders to four, which would turn out to be ok on the day. Transport was organised, Jordan with Ben and Roger with Mitch. It was an early start due to the fact that the race was to roll out at 7am, as Roger and I turned off Military Rd to head for the M2 there was a car in front of us with bikes on the roof, I said to Rog they must be off to EC also. That car contained Ben and Jordan; perfect timing the team was now in convoy looking like the SAS mounted vehicles heading to the Green zone in Afghanistan.

Ten minutes into the journey we cruised up beside Ben and Jordy and hit the horn a couple of times Ben dare not look as he thought we were police in an unmarked car, he must have been feeling guilty for perhaps being over the speed limit or over the blood alcohol level from his bosses party the night before. Was this going to be a trend and were kmd to be the police of the peloton??

We arrived to the horrific smell that goes hand in hand with racing out west. From the amount of cars in the car park we knew it was going to be a big field in today’s races. We quickly got changed and registered, the old fella at registration was luck not to feel the wrath of the angriest member of kmd racing, as Roger needed to purchase a day license and apparently the old fella was none too happy in having to use up a whole page of his paper to accommodate Rogers request. But luckily Roger was able to contain the flame of his internal furnace before it released any unwanted embers.

A quick warm up on the race track, Ben asked me what the plan was and my response was that I would just love to finish with the group and asked him if himself and Jordy were to be the protected riders, with my lack of recent training and Roger’s constant zone 2 only training that sounded like the best option.

So we were briefed on the start line and sent on our way it was to be 75mins plus one lap with a sprint prime at the half way mark, I don’t have a computer on my bike and no watch to time with so my plan was to try and hang on and when the bell rang it was one lap till the end.

A Penrith bloke went from the gun and quickly gained a 150m lead but we all know how that sort of thing turns out 98% of the time so the very large group of approx. 65 just got the legs rolling for a couple of laps, after lap 3 a group of four had a bit of a hit out up the road I said to Jordy you should be in that and he quickly replied it’s a bit early for that, we quickly gathered them in not long before the little rise on the back part of the track. An attack went on the rise and I was very happy to see Jordan go with it, good news for kmd as we could sit back and watch what happens, after Sheepy got dropped on lap 2 or 3 5 he would re-join the peloton whenever he got lapped again which was helpful as he found me and informed me who was who in the group and who to watch out for, cheers Sheep. I had a close eye on Kevin Black and Eddie Salas both older statesmen of the group and very good riders with a ridiculous amount of victories over the years.

Jords Bridging to the break

Jordy and the break had established a good gap on the rest of the field and contained members of most internal teams so the pace of the group was steady, then bang Salas attacks up the back hill on the left, K.Black goes with him, lucky for me I was on the far right of the group so had a free run to go with them Salas looks back and seeing that he two blokes stuck to his wheel like a Remora fish to a shark he sat up, Blacky gave me a come on Mitch and kept going but I had Jordy in the break no chance I was working with him he looked back and decided to sit up as well.

Back in the group we get the whistle which indicates that the sprint prime is at the end of the lap, the lead group had a handy break fingers crossed they stay away and the form Jordan has been showing lately he could possibly win the sprint. As the group rounded the left hand bend which opens up to the top of the finishing straight we could see the break contesting the sprint, from my position it looked extremely close between two riders and yes one of them had the distinct colours of Black and Baby blue. Could Jordan have got the Prime and the Bikies that goes with it, only time would tell. We gathered the break in after that as the pace picked up and the race began in earnest, there was attacks here and there but nothing that hurt us to much, I heard a chat between two blokes about the sprint for the prime and a guy said that it was close but he was done on the line by No. 73, you bewdy I said as that was Jordan KMD on the board now to see if we could feature at the end.

Benny Doing The Business

Sorry I haven’t mentioned the crashes but there was to many to go on about but you could imagine what happens when you have A grade thru to D grade on the track together and the faster group goes past and cuts the slow group off around corners – Damage and pain is what happens preceded and followed with abuse.

Back to the race Benny Elvy was keeping a good track of time and approx. how many laps to go, so with about 15 mins to go Ben and Roger go to the front and control the peloton you could be forgiven if you thought it was Fabian Cancellara and Jens Voigt on the front like a police motorcade, apparently there was a couple of nice discussions up the front between a few of them about doing turns and chasing etc. The peloton got the A grade sign held aloft the time keepers head and the sweet sound of the bell ringing yes the last lap is finally upon us time to do all appropriate systems checks – do you need one last drink? How full is your water bottle you throw it away and look like a right cock if you don’t even feature in the sprint or keep it? Are your shoes tight enough? How are your legs feeling? Are you in the right position? this last one is the one I was lacking, I had to act quickly I pulled left, right up the inside near the fence of pit lane and managed to get myself 5th wheel with the help of Ernie the Elbow, beautiful two KMD team mates in front of me just have to stay here.

What I hadn’t realised was that there was four guys up the road about 100mtrs will we get them? Benny Elvy had been on the front for an eternity and he pulled off and Roger went thru, when Ben got to me I gave him a push and told him to kick again and stay there in four wheel selflessly he did, Roger pulled off the front and quickly Ben told him to stay up here and again selflessly he did.

We get the the hill out the back and a Turbo studio guy goes, time to man up Mitch I hit out and go with him we stay out the front and drag the peloton to the four escapees they get swallowed into the pack we go up around the last bend and what a legend Roger appears barging his way through to protect me by sitting in front of me offset to the left blocking the inside run, Eastern Creek finishing straight has to be one of the hardest to judge, yes it’s fast but it’s a long way and patience is a must, Just as Roger was about to kick Turbo Studios beat him to it, they went and went hard, I have to go there’s my wheel, by the time the line came up I had been swamped 6th place was as good as I could do. All credit goes to Eddie Salas for the win and to the Turbo studio boys who I believe got 2nd, 3rd & 4th, I half expected Jordan to come over the top of me and mix it with the big boys but was caught up in some mess and couldn’t get back in the mix.

Eddie Salas gets the win while Mitch looks on....

Big thanks goes out to Ben, Jordan and Roger for a great trip, race and laughs this is what it’s all about.

From early performances so far KMDracing will once again be a force to be reckoned with and when we get our full contingent at races it will be AWESOMENESS.

Mitch

All Pictures Copyright Ernie Smith Photography

Follow KMD Racing riders Buzz and Le Foz as the attempt to conquer the “untamed” Absa Cape Epic 2012

By Buzz

The journey for this great race and adventure started back in 2011. My now partner in the race Mike Foster (Le Fozz – you may know him from Fosters Flying Tours) threw a bait out to our riding crew saying he had secured a race entry in the lottery system for the Cape Epic. He needed a race partner and it just so happened that I was going to be over there watching this race that I knew nothing about as my girlfriend and now Fiancé was doing the race with her brother. It would be my first time to South Africa and a trip I was really looking forward to.

I was an AFL footballer turned road cyclist in my retirement from footy. I thought how hard can the transition be to mountain bike as well and my form on the road wasn’t too bad given I had only be doing it for a couple of years. I put my hand up and said Fozz I’m in!! So it was done. it looked like we were going to do this Cape Epic race in South Africa. As time went by I began to learn more about it and was wondering what I may be getting myself into………

In the end we pulled the pin on 2011 for various reasons and one being Fozz wanted to celebrate his 50th year on this planet by doing the Absa Cape Epic 2012. After watching first hand the 2011 edition of the race with my beautiful Fiancé Christelle Van Niekerk racing with her brother Ben Van Niekerk, I wanted in. It from what I could see, was a massive, professional production of an 8 stage Mountain Bike race in the amazing wine regions around Cape Town South Africa. I wanted to take the challenge and I wanted to do it with someone who would complement yet challenge me. Anyone who rides or races with or against him knows

that he may be 50, but he shows no signs of slowing and can smoke most riders 10,20,30 years younger. Mike Fozzy Foster is the CEO of Fujitsu Australia and works like a dog, sleeps little, tries to satisfy his 2 busy kids and wife and manages to get up at 5am and smack us all on the group rides each morning.

I had my work cut out for me if I was going to come up to par and be a valuable part of the team. I did my first ever 50km MTB race on the last day of the 2011 Epic at the finish line in Lourensford winery. It almost killed me, my core gave way around 35km I had serious back pain, my legs had blown up and I thought, get me back on the road PLEASE. I have now completed my first 100km MTB race in the Highland Fling. That is nothing compared to what we are about to embark on but I now know what we are up against. There will be plenty of hurt ahead and I am sure we will be a great team.

It just so happens that I’m getting married to that crazy Safa Christelle, 3 days after the race in a town she raced through last year during the Epic. Funny how it all works out. Christelle will be the spectator this year and fingers crossed…. I roll up to our wedding in the unbroken form Can’t wait for both in March/April 2012

To do a race like the Epic, you need sponsors. We needed to get some generous people or companies to support us with either sponsorship money or product. My good friend George Markos was the first person I approached. He had started a new business called Spectrum Natural. Health products based around the famous Tea Tree. George without hesitation has become our major sponsor for our cause and holds centre stage on our race kit. Keep your eyes out for these emerging products and be sure to give them a go.

Our great mate Kable Mitchell from KMD Designs put out his feelers with Chris Reynolds from Champion Systems Australia. One of the biggest suppliers of custom made cycling, Triathlon and general sports clothing. Given each team needs to ride in the same kit we wanted to have a special edition for the Cape Epic that advertised Australia and all our great sponsors in this International race. Chris generously helped said yes to Mitch and helped us out with what I think is the best fitting and most comfortable kit going around, check them out at www.champ-sys.com.au

I knew I needed a new MTB and it had to be a 29′r. Our good mates at Hampton cycles in Melbourne run a fantastic Specialized concept store and namely Damien Jones the owner and gun cyclist in his own right was the man that would help me out and Foz as well. Hampton Cycles are in the top 5 sellers of Specialized in Australia and have a massive cult following in Melbourne. I made the trip to Melbourne as both Foz and I do on a regular basis and picked out a new Epic comp carbon while Foz ended up with the top of the line S-Works. Awesome bikes and to go with it to help the KMD out he sponsored us with new s-works shoes and helmets. Check them out www.hamptoncycles.com.au

Foz was on the case as well and managed to secure some great sponsors in Fujitsu, Cisco, and Symantec. We will use the internet to keep everyone up to date with how we are going at the end of each stage/day.

Cisco are the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. You can find them at www.cisco.com

Symantec are the largest makers of security software for computers, they are perhaps best known for their Norton anti virus software. Check them out, they may just save you some grief with your computer and keep you up and running when it counts. www.symantec.com

The man behind the road team of KMDracing.com Daniel Wright has started his own great cycling business called The Fixed Wheel supplying the everyday cyclist with everything they need. From mobile servicing, (yes that’s right, he’ll come to you,

your business, home etc and service your bike,) to top of the range bikes – he sells ONLY top quality second hand road and MTB bikes as well as new bikes, along with servicing in store and stocks all sorts of great cycling products. If you want the best service you’ll ever get on your bike, drop in and see Daniel and his crew in Manly, Foz and I do for all our cycling needs. www.thefixedwheel.com.au

The wheel man that has supplied our bulletproof wheel sets at more than mates rates Nick Both of WheelsbyBosch is a gun wheel builder at more than reasonable costs. Mountain bike, road or Triathlon deep dish wheels he has it all covered and custom for you. Find him at www.wheelsbybosch.com.au

A massive thank you to all our generous sponsors and we hope to do all or supporters proud and give the sponsors some great exposure. Please visit their sites or shops and support them with some great products to offer.

The race is drawing close and we still have some solid training to get in the legs before we hit the start time. The blog has begun and there will be some stories to follow so keep the computer on you never know when we will shoot out an update,

Hear a little about our other Manly mates and competitors John Miller and Mark Hardy who are also on the mill training hard to try to keep up with team KMDRacing ………..NEXT TIME

Race report from Alex Gardner from the Tour of Bright.

Al Doing It Easy On Tawonga

Tour of Bright is all about the climbing right, well yes – but that doesn’t mean you can switch off and let a 20 man break go up the road half way through the first stage. It never normally happens that way at Bright but I only had myself to blame. With hindsight perhaps it worked out in my favour.

The ‘sensations’ as they say, were good as I climbed the 8k Towonga gap at the end of stage 1 – I could see others around me suffering and I knew I was climbing well – I rode the climb pretty hard but not max, half thinking I could minimise the gaps to the break, and half thinking about saving the legs for the next day. Mostly I was just pissed off I’d made such a daft error of judgement in not going with the break, however, comfortably leading the bunch over the climb gave me some confidence that my form was good. The less said about stage 1 the better.

Stage 2 is the notorious TT – nothing harder in cycling than backing up for a 16km rolling TT after a tough morning road race. Easy tapping the TT wasn’t really an option, so even though I was out of it on GC I gave it some stick and turned in a half decent time. Still didn’t move up on GC though and sat just outside the top 10 – however the time gaps had tightened.

The announcement on Sunday morning that the Hotham stage had been shortened was initially a big disappointment. I’d woken with fresh, loose legs and the feeling that I could make some inroads on GC, Hotham is the real test at Bright and I was right up for it. When I realised where the new finish was though (at the end of the false flats after 20km of climbing) I started to entertain the thought that perhaps I was chance for a stage podium, my main goal of the race. The flatter sprint would suit me if I could hang on with the climbers.

The stage started pretty fast and it seemed like we were on the gas all the way to the base of the climb, the 30km was over in a flash and it was game on. Allan Sieper, GC leader took the initiative and attacked at the base of the climb, I immediately followed him, turned to my left after the first hairpin and saw the race exploding, it was ON. Pretty quickly a select group of 15 or so formed at the front of the race. The pace was relentless, everyone know that with the shortened climb the climbers had to take advantage as soon as the road went up. I sat about 4th or 5th wheel and tried to monitor how the other guys were looking, Andy Naylor, 2nd on GC and ex pro, was in the box big time, breathing out of control, head slumping, hanging on by the skin of his teeth, others also seemed to be on the limit, I couldn’t believe I felt in control, heart rate high but comfortably pedalling – this was a new experience, climbing in a race, on a proper climb, with the front group and not hanging on, confidence went up a level.

I knew the Meg was coming and it would be decisive, it’s a steep pinch of a few hundred meters and anyone who’s suffering goes backwards rapidly here. We came round the corner and saw the KOM flag, Ciaran Jones punched forward out of the saddle to take the points, he looked sharp and strong. I stayed in the saddle and pedalled after him – a glance behind and the group was in bits, faces contorted, some riders doing the weave, I went over the KOM in 3rd without making a big effort to do so and then knew it was time to give it a shake. The climb continues at lesser gradient after the Meg, but anyone who had to dig deep really struggles at this point, I let the group reform and drifted down the left hand side to take stock of who was left and how they were looking.

Only about 7 or 8 still in it. As I got to the back of the group 2 went off the front. Michael Gallagher of Jayco, and Michael Tolhurst of Elders, both strong riders. I let them get 100 meters or so, stuck it in the big ring and surged across the gap, this was the first big effort I’d made and some days everything clicks and you feel unbeatable – this was one of those.

Quick breather on the back and straight through for a hard turn, that dropped Tolhurst and then there were two of us, there is only one thing to do in this situation and that’s ride, no tactics, no messing, full on hard riding. I looked at the Garmin and we had 10km left. We swapped hard turns for a few km but the group remained in sight behind us, I didn’t dare think we were the winning break yet. Once we hit the false flats we kept the speed right up and it was only then that the gap opened up, suddenly we were out of sight and my thoughts turned to the win. 3km to go, still swapping turns.

2km to go and as Robbie McEwen would say “the inner bastard” came out.

I Can't Do A Turn - Really!

Time to bluff, there was no way I was throwing away the chance to win this, Gallagher surged on the last steep bit and really put in an effort to drop me, I had to dig deep to hang on but there was no way I was coming through after that, he continued to ride, I told a little white lie and said I had nothing. 1km to go and I started looking for the finish banner, a few corners, I saw what looked like a finish area and just aimed for it, opened the sprint and won it by a few lengths. Sometimes the best wins are the least expected, it felt great.

Miha came in a soon after for an incredible first time ride at Bright. He had the nous and strength to get in the day one break, did a good TT on a road bike and hung on in a strong group on Hotham for a top 10 finish. Way better than I could manage first time at Bright and a stage or GC podium could well be on the cards for 2012.

A fantastic way to round out the year, and damn good crack with the KMD boys too.

The Faces Tell The Story Of The Masters 1,2,3 Tour Of Bright

Alex in his second TOB and the Virgins, Miha (The Goat Herder), Jordan and the statistician Roger “The Goat” Burgess were all running in the very strong field of the Masters 1,2,3 race. There were teams from previous A grade races there, ex winners of the race, ex pro triathletes, top Masters cyclists from around the country and our boys from KMD. Alex and Miha were coming into the race in pretty solid form and were the chosen riders. It sounded like Jordan and Roger should’ve been setting up for the sprint as it wasn’t very hotly contested. But they were there to protect the form riders (you might have to ask Al and Miha how well they were looked after)? They started 10 mins after B grade and with the quality field they were every chance to make the catch on B grade. The first sprint went by with not too much of a murmur and all was going to plan. The turn for Rosewhite happened and the hammer went down at the front with some clever blocking going on from the Elders and O2 teams. Miha saw this going on and in his brash virgin like manner went for it. He jumped, Alex was caught napping with Jordan a little too far back in the bunch to move. I think my only advice to the guys was when you get to the turn make sure you’re in the front few wheels as its really hard to pass on that stretch of road………….

Never mind they had a presence in the break of roughly 15 riders and a strong presence in Miha. When we got pulled over for the Masters to come by and I saw Miha in the break, my only concern was him doing too much work. By all reports the load as shared petty well as they knew they needed to,put the hammer down to get clear of the bunch. With so many in the break it was going to be unlikely that the bunch would get organised enough to reel them back in. Alex was sitting in filthy he wasn’t in that break given he was keen to really race up Tawonga, he had done the training and wanted to put it to the test. He would get his chance but not at the GC as it was slipping away with the break. It was on Miha to come up with the goods for KMD and on his first TOB attempt that was a big ask. The Slovenian Goat Herder knows how to go into the red and made his way there petty early on in the climb, Tawonga is a solid 7-8km and pretty steep all the way but in form a solid power climb. Miha hung as best he could to finish only a minute and a half down on the lead mountain goats. Alex rode the climb and blew all to pieces that were trying to hold his wheel. Would he have captured the stage win? Would he have at minimum stayed on the front few IF he had got across to the initial break? Those will forever be unanswered questions and possibly burn deep inside KMD’s top rider for 2011. Alex, Alex, Alex what were you thinking? I know, break always never survive at Bright, the bunch never allows that!!!

Miha the "Goat Herder" going for it!

Roger "The Goat" redlining on Tawonga

Cycling is such an opportunistic game and you always need to be prepared to WIN the race, but when might that be, which one is the right break, should I go, should I stay. I think Al may have just had the legs this year and stage 3 will tell a story of unfinished business for the GEEZER.

Back in the hotel room Al was battling with his demons, he as now going to have to ride for someone else, this was unknown territory and something that wasn’t quite sitting right. Miha had done his best and stayed within reach of the leaders and Al was going to have to sacrifice his own ambitions to help Miha get closer. There was a TT first though and Al gave it his best to get as close as he could. He had a very solid TT on his road bIke sneaking into the top 10  and moved up in the GC. If only Al had a TT machine, my bet is a podium finish at minimum in the race of truth. You probably can’t win the TOB with a great TT but you can lose it. Miha on a road bike was never going to get close to the top TT riders in the Masters race but certainly had a fair crack on a roadie. he had lost positions and was now over 3 mins down. Jordan knocked out a great time in the TT and was racing a solid race in his first TOB, Roger had STRAVA and previous KMD riders times on his agenda. He wanted to systematically knock them off one by one………keep trying mate you get some eventually

Stage 3 and the boys get the same message as us, the race is shortened.

That would effectively quash Miha’s chances with the toughest 10km of the race now gone the climb up Hotham was going to be quick and brutal with little chance of making up too much time. Danny and I could Rogers sigh of relief when we were at he base of Hotham 10 mins ahead of them that the race was cut short, we were filthy given we could see tears rolling down Rogers eyes had he been made to tick those last 10km of the mother climb…… Next time mate. He now had Jordan’s 30 second buffer in his sights and hoped to beat Jordo up the climb. Jordon has been riding strong of late and Roger was going to be right up against it reeling in 30seconds. It wasn’t to be and Roger rolled in after Jordon but felt he’d done enough to beat Danny up the climb proper.

Danny & Jordo Duking It Out

A download of the now infamous STRAVA file and Danny toppled in by a miserly 30 odd seconds.

Meanwhile ……. In the real race, Miha had cracked at the Meg but Alex was thinking stage win. He needed some retribution and personal solace. He made it over the meg with the small bunch of main contenders, a few jumped out by a few lengths and Alex took the opportunity from a Lance moment and checked out the other riders in the bunch. They were all in the box and he was feeling good, bang straight into the big ring and smack it across to the break, he now made it 5 which dropped to 3 and then 2. Alex and the Jayco rider were away and working well to get well clear of the bunch. They caught me with about 5km to go and were flying, shows how fast I was going…….

Alex - Heart Broken - has more than enough to get revenge!

I had the gap at 3 mins, but that got shut down to about a minute and a half by the line, but would Al hold on. He got gapped by a few meters and pleaded with his legs to keep going, he started playing mind games with the other bloke, he played the “I’m gone mate, I can’t come around you” he let that poor sucker tow him to the line and jumped him good and proper. The stage win was going to be his come rain hail or shine, it just so happened that in the last 100m Danny was groveling his way to the line and I’m sure in the photos it will look suspiciously like another famous Fixed Wheel lead out!  The stage Victory was Al’s in the big Hotham climb even though it was 10km short it was an awesome effort and one to be proud of.

Another cracking trip at the TOB, the after race shenanigans will POSSIBLY be disclosed in following blogs. Let be known that there is now a coveted and prestigious KMD top rider medallion up for grabs. The current holder being Alex Gardiner, game on. It can only be passed on by the current holder and doesn’t need to be a win to obtain it. It comes with a sacrifice for team or self or simply a courageous ride

Bring on RADELAIDE

BUZZ

Tour Of Bright 2011

The KMD Racing team made the long trek from Sydney to the picturesque town of Bright at the base of the Victorian snow field Mountains of Mt Buffalo, Mt Beauty and the Mother of them all Mount Hotham.

Hotham is the penultimate climb on stage 3 and a beast of a climb at that, stretching some 35km from the start of the climb at the little sleepy town of Harrietville to the summit at Hotham. This race has broken many a man, reduced plenty to tears and that’s no embellishment let me tell you. The TOB is a stage race consisting of a 100km road race on the Saturday morning followed up by a 16km TT in the afternoon on very dead legs and then stage 3 a 55 km road race on Sunday.

The team was unfortunately split across two grades this year. With Danny and I racing the tough B grade with plenty of young up and coming riders the pace was sure to be hot. A notable previous winner of B Grade being one Richie Porte, now a pro cyclist riding in the major tour races. The plan was for the sprint jersey in B Grade given we were no chance to climb with 65kg mountain goats that would be dancing on the pedals come Tawonga gap climb and ultimately Hotham.

Stage 1 started with a bang, not 500m down the road following the neutral pace car there was a crash resulting in some serious carbon damage. The PEANUT driving the car for some reason didn’t take the left hand turn that all the riders knew was coming up. He confusion of whether to follow the car, or make the turn caused riders to smack into each other right near Danny and myself. There were blokes flying over handle bars and the sound of breaking wheels and tearing skin, mmm great start. So that would be stop number 1.

The air was thin, temp crisp and little to no wind, great conditions for racing. We had a plan and Danny knew where to take control and hit it with me knowing to be ready to jump on his wheel for a famous Fixed Wheel lead out. Our hope was for minimal resistance thinking most in B grade would be there to climb. WRONG. First sprint point is at roughly the 10km mark, queue the tempo increase queue the pointy end of the field, queue Danny and I sitting beautifully either side of a team of youngsters waiting to show their wares.

Bang, Danny goes on queue and I have the free wind behind his wheel, I think we are clear here, but no I see a wheel right on mine, stay focused stay close and be patient. Bang I jump, OH SHIT, I’ve got nothing these blokes are swamping me, OH SHIT, SHIT……… The words out of my mouth were, GO DANNY, the words going through Danny’s mind were, OH WHAT THE F…!  Filthy, that point where you realize you are way to slow to get to the line first is an empty moment.

Right we are still in this, but we may need a change of plan. We re-gather and say that’s one there are 3 more chances for points. We get over Rosewhite and see how we are feeling going into the Tawonga sprint. Meanwhile a rider jumps from the sprint and goes it alone, then bang a second rider drags a 3rd out and they are a 3 man break…….that won’t survive they can blow themselves up and the bunch will catch, after all in Bright a break never survives.

We make the turn for Rosewhite and both Danny and I are stinging for a nature relief, Danny sneaks to the back and manages to go on the run. I can’t get there and have to hold it, can’t concentrate, I need to go, can’t concentrate, shit there goes a 4th rider, nah that’s sweet no dramas. Next thing the Masters 1,2,3 car comes past and says we are pulling you over, you’ve been caught. I was instantly happy and couldn’t stop quick enough and take that break I needed. But what about the break, they didn’t stop it. There goes the race for the rest of the bunch and there goes the next round of sprint points…..all of them.

The time gap got to 9mins at one stage with us being stopped a total of 3 times for the day. Danny and I locked in for some solid training riding basically with myself struggling my way up Tawonga as usual. But really I just go up the climbs to get the Buzz coming down, now that is a good time. Eventually the leaders were closed down to 3 mins by the chasers but that was never going to be close enough. We did our bit and got through the TT in the afternoon with Danny posting a respectable time on a road bike with me just making up numbers and tapping my way through while just knocking at the door of pain once and a while over the course.

Stage 3 we thought if we can win both sprints which was going to be a long shot we’d have a chance at Green. Danny was now it with me working on getting him position. We knew when to go and when to be on the front. The pace picked up again and we could see we were going to haven’t fight pretty hard. I was hoping to keep Danny on the middle line of the road and fade off for him to keep his line. We were getting well boxed in and eventually Danny had to come under me well on the inside. We were being watched closely and Danny got checked and boxed out going for the line. Time to suck it up and jump in the bunch and shut up basically. We just needed to enjoy being down in this beautiful place enjoy the pain of Hotham and look forward to the descent. Unlike previous years there was extreme adverse weather conditions on top of the mountain. It was 3 degrees with a windchill of -10. The organizers decided to shorten the race by 10km which was certainly a welcome decision from my end. I do love the challenge of getting up Hotham but was pretty happy to finish on the false flats this year. Danny stuck with the leaders till the Meg where he imploded. He did last long enough to lead Alex Gardiner out in the final sprint for the line though………. Huh, what? I here you say….Alex? Wasn’t he in the Masters 123 race?

Indeed he was, so more of that later.

Buzz

Report by Buzz

Buzz

My journey began from Melbourne this morning, while the rest of the guys headed to the race from “Old Macdonald’s Farm” located somewhere in the bush lands surrounding the famous old gold rush town of Ballarat. Ryan in his usual attempts to stiff his team mates with sub standard accommodation had paid off again with them being shacked up in a location that can’t be found on any GPS map. Only a mans nose can locate such a location. None the less, the KMD team found it and managed to get out alive to put on a solid performance in a talent packed field for the 95km National road race in M2 and our international influence Miha raced off in the M1 over 110km

The day started a lot fresher than the previous outing for the Criterium. It was close to 10 degrees with little or no wind when I arrived at the race. Miha had kicked off at 8.30 and was well into the race and sitting comfortably in the bunch. As his race drew close to an end the wind started to pick up a little which would possibly sort the riders out for the premiere race of the day the M2′s “oldmanrace”. Miha attempted a break and got clear with a small bunch of riders only to be pulled back in the final lap.

So it was all together for a bunch sprint along a dead road with a nice little tail wind. The team was standing on the sidelines awaiting the arrival of the bunch for the final assault on the finish line. When they came into view some bright peanut yelled out gee they are going fast. No sh!t Sherlock they are winding up for an all out sprint to win the coveted Aussie Road Champ jersey.

One you get to wear all year when competing in a road race for the next 12 months. Quite an honour and one that you fight hard to win. Miha had good position coming into the final sprint at about 400m out. He was right up against it knowing it doesn’t have a kick sprint. He pulled hard and emptied what he had left in the legs to finish a very respectable 7th on a sprinters course.

Great effort over his first attempts on the National Champs and only a short time in the road cycling game. Well done Miha being the loan rider in M1 for KMD. If only his team mate didn’t think he was a REAL handyman he wouldn’t have been swinging from a tree like Tarzan in his backyard and wouldn’t have broken a couple of vertebrae in his back. You know who you are Burrgo…….. Dope

The setting on the Lake was picturesque but the cold temps took some shine of the surrounds a little, but we weren’t there to check the scenery. We had a title to win for the KMD Racing team.

Hot off the journalistic cutting room floor the now famous Hammish Mactactics had burst from the bush Steve Irwin style and made the start line. With little training under his belt over the last few months it was possible he may not make the finish in touch with the main group but time would tell. One thing was for sure that little black duck is good friends with PAIN.

Masters 2 is off

It was well and truly a sprinters course and it seemed that the big players in the bunch were going to do their best to keep it together for a bunch sprint.

Alex was our man in form with Ryan a little off his best with a recent back issue and Buzz was starting to find some form and looking to play a major role in today’s proceedings. Lap 1 of 6 saw a solo breakaway kept in sight. Having a pre race conversation with DS Danny he stated he wasn’t going to do anything today and sit in and hopefully play a role if it comes together at the end. So true to form 5pm into the race Danny was up the front trying to reel in the solo break or at minimum keep him within reach. All we could do was shake our heads and sit in and watch. There were enough good riders to rely on today to hopefully keep things close if we kept our vigilance for critical moves. Danny knowing nothing but racing hard and firming up his relationship with team pain did a power of work and kept all the riders honest.

The salt was crusting up on the side of his face by lap 2 and the strain was showing but he would keep pushing like a brainless grunt. Ryan was playing it safe along Alex and I in the bunch with us all positioning ourselves well up the front out of any wind. The pace was high sitting on an average of 42km/hr over the 95km.

Alex & Danny sitting pretty in the bunch (well Danny is "pretty")

Attacks were thick and fast with some small groups of 2-4 staying away for half a lap or so but most getting pulled back. On the second last lap a solid move went which Ryan got across to.

The break sucking in O2

It was over the very fast back part of the course and had about 10 riders in it. A couple more jumped with Alex on the wheel, I thought this could be the split we are looking for and jumped hard from the group to have Al’s wheel. We bridged to the front group with the chasers working double-time to shut it all down. Anyone that had an interest in winning had to dig deep from the main bunch to reel us all in. Ultimately we got caught but it seemed the crew were feeling pretty good and just needed to continue to cover moves and make moves to keep it interesting.

Gareth and Ryan O'Neill (Cycling Strategy) waiting for the sprint

We passed the start finish for the last time and it was on with moves coming straight up. But again it was shut down before another went just before the main rise. It wasn’t a tough incline but enough to make a few boys nervous if the pace was high. The legs were feeling fatigue but given it was nice and flat we were all well in the race. Danny was still smashing himself cover moves and trying to get in them. There was plenty of sketchy riding going on with lots of contact getting made on the road with some very close calls but spills to talk of yet.

The pace was very high coming into the last turn for home and tipping the scales in the 60′s pre sprint. Ryan jumped with about 2km to go and opened up a solid gap with one other bridging across. Then there were jumpers and I managed to get on hoping the gap we could make would close us up with Ryan.

The bunch was flying though and we got swallowed, I had to find a way to get a good position and was in line for one on the right side. It was absolutely crazy in the bunch. Alex was in a great position up ahead of me with his nose in the wind though on the outside but he had to guard that position. I had Danny off the side of me yelling encouragement and Ryan had just be swallowed up with 400 to go.

I’d tip the speed scales at close to 70km and I was on my speed limit as guys in front of me were bumping into each other with some flying off into the roadside grass. Man it was mayhem and crazy riding and I reckon I lost nerve at that point which allowed a gap too big to close, regardless I never had the kick to go up another gear like the real contenders.

Alex was one of them. The guy that bridged to Ryan before sprint kicked before the bunch swallowed him and pulled clear to win by about 3 seconds Alex had to grit the teeth and give it everything, Danny and I could see him flying through on the outside and hoping he’d managed to snap up second.

It would go to a photo and Al got popped on the post and managed a 3rd place to seize the final step on the podium. What a great effort in a very hotly contested race full of solid talent from all over Australia and some very strong team riders from Melbourne

KMD Racing acquitted themselves brilliantly in the National Champs all weekend. Well done to all the riders and thanks for all the support and interest from the team members that couldn’t get here for the races. We did our best to get that jersey but just fell short.

1^st Matthew Dec – Atomic Brooks Cycle Club – 2:17:05 – 41.2 km/h
2^nd Ian Johnston – Rockhampton Cycle Club
3^rd Alex Gardner – KMD Racing

KMD Racing's Alex Gardner 3rd (on the right) Matthew Dec (center) and Ian Johnstone (left)

Congrats to Alex for a super effort, he puts in the dirty wet km’s that many don’t and he reaps the rewards, some of us need to step up and win soon or we are in danger of becoming team Lance…… I mean team Al…..

Looking forward to the teams challenge on Sunday, so make sure we get out there and cheer on KMD to bring home the cash.

Ps, Mactactics was last seen disappearing under the water in the lake and could possibly become the new Loch Ness dumpy arse

Buzz

Alex Gardner has just sealed third place at that Australian Masters  Road Champs for Masters 2.

While we are waiting for Buzzolini‘s race report here are some photos and the Twitter race updates from Miha (who placed a very respectable 7th in Masters 1) – thanks to Andy Bateman for the idea!

KMD Racing's Alex Gardner 3rd (on the right) Matthew Dec (center) and Ian Johnstone (left)

Alex & Gareth trying to stir up a spot of bovver

miharemec Miha Remec

@KMDRacing are on the way in Masters Road National Championships. 6 laps of 15km yfrog.com/oe8wezj

Masters 2 is off

 miharemec Miha Remec

No 90 Chris Millen in a solo break with about 40s after the first lap. 4 riders trying to bridge, the bunch pretty relaxed.

miharemec Miha Remec

Weather has turned for the better. Wind died off and the sun is out. M2 are in the 3rd lap with the same guy still out the front

miharemec Miha Remec

Game on! 2L to go. 4 are trying to get away, but peloton close behind. @TheFixedWheel @ajgardner75 in a good position

Alex & Danny sitting pretty in the bunch (well Danny is "pretty")

miharemec Miha Remec

Break gaining; now 36s ahead. This was before when they crossed the finish line yfrog.com/odf5ihj

Masters 2 Break with two laps to go

miharemec Miha Remec

The 4 were caught, one guy countered and has about 20 sec advantage coming into the bell lap

miharemec Miha Remec

@TheFixedWheel chasing the solo escapee. A few gaps opening behind him. We are in the last lap!!!

http://yfrog.com/5d37fz

miharemec Miha Remec

@garethw51 and @cyclingstrategy looking good, conserving for a bunch kick perhaps? yfrog.com/h7qu7zipj

Gareth and Ryan O'Neill (Cycling Strategy) waiting for the sprint

miharemec Miha Remec

@ajgardner75 tipped for the sprint finish by the commentator

miharemec Miha Remec

They are four kilometers from the finish.

miharemec Miha Remec

Bunch in the distance. 56 starters and most of them still hanging on

miharemec Miha Remec

This guy went with a 1k to go and WON! @ajgardner75 sprinted for second

The Masters 2 Winner Matthew Dec

miharemec Miha Remec

Race commissaries reviewing the photo finish for second!

After a 10hr trip to Ballarat in The Fixed Wheel van we met the rest of the crew in some far away farm, amongst some trees in a faraway place, for some usual banter and pre-race dinner – cooked by the Masterchef Ryan O’Neill along with his protégé and house guest Gareth Williams from SuVelo.

The team spirits were lifted by the news that KMD Racings training partner Andrew Crawley had won the rest day stage of the Tour of Tassie which was a fantastic result and well deserved.

Andy Crawley wins a stage in the Tour of Tasmania

Well back to serious racing. We turned up to the race ready to go. With Jarod Crosby driving in from Melbourne we lined up and got signed in and warmed up. KMD racing was represented in both M1 & M2 with Miha Remec taking to the M1 field on his own and Alex Gardner, Jarod Crosby, Daniel Wright and Ryan Oneill lining up for M2.

The M1 race started off and not much was happening until Miha drove the pace up with 20min to go and caused a split with 2 other riders. Looking strong they opened a big gap over the rest of the field and Miha looked comfortable as the three riders started sharing the load with the wind starting to pick up. When the two riders appeared without Miha in tow we started to wonder what happened to him. He appeared about 30sec later back with another rider from SuVelo Nathan Bonarius. The two worked quite hard to try and pull the leaders back but were not looking like they were closing the gap. A lap to go and Nathan put in a big dig to try and close the gap and in doing so he left Miha behind who was now in conservation mode thinking about his main aim of winning the road race on Saturday. Rolling across the line in 4^th place and ready to take the sideline and support the M2 riders.

The M2 race started off at a solid pace and the usual workhorses Jarod Crosby and Daniel Wright took place at the front end of the pack, while Ryan Oneill and Alex Gardner took up position in the sheltered group. ¾ of a lap in and a solid attack came from the peloton. Jarod Jumped but as he was meant to be trying to conserve himself for the potential sprint Danny called it and bridged to the solo rider. The two opened a small gap and worked together for a while before being swallowed back into the pack. It looked like it was going to be a hard day to try and get away in a break.

KMDracing was always in the mix on the front and covering attacks coming from various other teams before a strong attack from Ryan got him off the front by himself and he opened a big enough gap to cause concern. The peloton didn’t react and Ryan sat out there for a while before a few riders bridged across to him. It was looking like it might have been the move but the gap was not opening so Jarod jumped off the front of the group and quickly closed the gap to the lead and joined Ryan. The gap opened a bit more and the peloton started to react with a few more riders trying to get across but with any moves being covered it just welded the leaders back.

Gaps kept opening and Danny welded a few back before giving it a dig and getting off the front with another rider from the Melbourne based O₂ Networks team who were riding strong. With 10min to go + 2 laps the move looked like it could be the decisive break so the KMD boys sat up and tried to slow the pack down. They let another rider get across to help the break. What Danny had thought would only last maybe a lap when he attacked soon had him committed as the gap got bigger. Not being in great form took its toll as he had to grovel his way around to make sure he was not dropped.

Would the plan work? Jarod, Alex and Ryan had a nice sit for the last 15min before the peloton started attacking and chasing the break. With 500m to go the break was coming back and the boys from KMD knew that they had to take control with a few tricky corners leading into the finishing straight. Ryan came to the front with Alex on his Wheel, Jarod tucked in just a few back. Things were looking good for the sprint until……..

Ryan overcooked the second last corner as the breakaways were being swallowed up. A gap opened to the front two riders and unfortunately Ryan and Alex ran off the road into in the grass and had to try and get back on the road and close the gap to three riders up the road who had started the sprint. Ryan had blown by that point and swung off while Alex had a big job on his hands to try and pull back the lead with 400m to go. He launched his sprint out of the last corner but it was already gone. He crossed the line in 4^th while Jarod, Ryan and Danny rolled in just behind.

Over all it was a strong display by KMD Racing and it was close but yet oh so far away from having a rider on the podium. Until tomorrow……..

Written By,

Hammish McTactics

Excecutive Assistant

KMDracing.com

Alex collecting his winnings - not sure about those shoes!

Race report from Le Foz

We all met at Andy’s place for the long trek up to Kooragang Island, a windswept industrial island in the middle of the Hunter River just north of Newcastle.

Famous for it being a deep water port that loads coal from the nearby Hunter Valley mines, it is also the well known home to three Hunter cycling clubs being Kooragang Open Cycle Club, Hunter District Cycling Club and Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club.

Miha, Jordan, Ryano, Andy, Ben and myself piled the bikes and associated kit into a couple of cars with me taking the bulk of the boys, and Andy taking the bulk of the bikes.  We didn’t need the radio on in our car as we had Ryano in the passenger seat, already on a high after having a week training in Noosa with my brother David, Big Tim and the rest of the Noosa bunch. As if that wasn’t enough to fire him up, he decided to pop a couple of No Doze so he was good and hyped by the time the race started!

A quick stop on the way for lunch, coffee and to discuss the dreary wet weather that seemed to be engulfing us, we were soon again on our way. We were lucky as we approached the island the clouds disappeared only to be replaced by a good solid 30kph wind. Looks like there would be lots of gutter riding today around the 7k circuit.

As we pulled up, we were met by Rosco and Alex, so Team KMD had 8 starters in the A grade race. You could see a few heads tilt to the side and stare as the team got dressed,  even the nice lady at sign in commented that in future there might have to be a limit on the number of Manly boys in the race.

As we got changed and warmed up, the lower grades were racing. They were being split into bunches by the strong wind, so we could see we were going to have our work cut out.

Of the three Cervelo Masters series races to date, Alex had won 1 and Eddie Salas the other 2. Eddie had already won the series, due to a 4^th place in race 3, when Alex didn’t race but we were keen to ensure Alex evened up the number of wins

So Alex was out protected rider today. The plan was for Me, Jordan, Andy, Miha and Ben to do the bulk of the work, and have Rosco and Ryano ready as backup if Alex wasn’t into contention.  With the flat windy course, I had a choice of the 11/23 or a 12/25 rear wheel. I took the 11/23 as I knew coming off a 3 month break from racing with not much training in the legs,  I was going to be struggling to find the right gear in the wind. (don’t you hate it when that happens!). However it was a mistake to fiddle with the bike 5 mins before a race. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I hadn’t put the wheel in securely enough.

The race had 40 starters with a very good strong masters field. Jayson Austen was a little more direct on the line “if you guys don’t win… you ALL want to retire!”

As soon as the starter let us go, Ben and Andy started off at the front, on lap 1 of 8, keeping the pace high, with all of us tucked in behind into the headwind. It wasn’t long till the attacks started with plenty  strong riders eager to test the field.  However, it was easy to see only the strongest riders would get away on such an open windy course.  There were 3 or 4 strong surges in the first lap, with no-one getting away, however, when as we hit the start of lap two, our protected  rider, one Alex Gardner, decided to test his legs and he surged off the front. One other rider from Nth Sydney went with him, Eddie was a bit boxed in on my left and the rest of the field let him go.

Alex put 50, then 100 metres on the peleton. I was about 6^th wheel watching him power on into the wind. It was early in the race, but Alex was fresh off Goulburn last weeks so the distance shouldn’t be a problem. Obviously no KMD Racing rider was going to help anyone chase him down, and I thought, “if they don’t react within 15 seconds no one will see these guys till the finish” After a brief pause, three or four riders took off after the two attackers.

Ryano was straight onto their wheel, covering the move. Salas and 3 others then reacted and took off to bridge to the second group soon after. I saw the move going and jumped onto them. Salas drove across to the break, so Alex and one other rider from Nth Sydney were up the road,  then a break of 8 about 15 seconds behind followed by the main group another 15 seconds or so.

I had just made the second group with Ryano and thought that this would be the group that would catch Alex and his breakaway companion. Ryano and I wouldn’t have to do anything and would be set to counterattack when the junction was made. However my participation in the group was brief.  I looked to the rider behind me as I thought he was grabbing my seatpost, only to hear him say, “mate your rear wheel is rubbing”. When I had swapped the wheels on the bike before the race, I hadnt tightened the skewer  enough and the wheel was rubbing against the rim/wheel. By the time I had sat up reached behind me to loosen my brakes, I was 30m off the back of the group and in no man’s land. I knew I was undercooked with my fitness, and had no chance of getting back on, so had no choice but to sit up and wait for the bunch. Race done for me.

The course had one section where there is a turnaround, so each lap we could see how the break was doing . Salas then attacked the breakaway and he and one other got to within 200m of Alex. But they couldn’t make up that last little bit. After another lap Eddie was shouting at his teammate in our bunch – “get yourself up here – I need you to bridge across”. Jordan gave me a bemused look – this guy would have to be the best rider in the race to bridge to the break then to 200m off the leaders – we thought that the best plan might be for him to bunny hop the centre divider.

So that was the race order for the rest of the race. Alex was driving at the front with one other. Salas and another chasing 15 seconds back, then a small break further down the road which Ryano was in  and then (what was left) of the peleton a minute or so further back.  All the attacking had shed about half the field out of the race. Ben had also had a mechanical so he was back at the car early and with Andy was coming off a long break,  he soon joined  Ben.

In our group, Jordan, Miha, Rosco and myself were tucked in doing it relatively easy, but our group was well out of it, with none of the KMD riders contributing to the effort, nor did we have to with a couple of riders up the road.  As we turned into the headwind down home straight at the end of the 6^th lap, my rear wheel punctured and that was the afternoon for me.  I turned off at the car and along with Ben and Andy waited for the big finish.

As is common in strange world of cycling alliances, 750m out from the finish the unspoken agreement between Alex and his breakaway companion was broken, Alex attacking and easily winning the 2 man sprint. It was an authoritative win by the strongest rider in the race. Salas and his breakaway rider from Newcastle finished 20 seconds behind, rolling through together, followed by a strong sprint for the minor places. Ryano had attacked the group from 3k out (a bit far I would have thought!!) but they came over the top of him 500m from home.

Alex - nice ride

Rosco easily won the rest of the bunch sprint, followed by Jordan. One of the locals said to me after the race, “Gee, there are some strong masters riders coming out of Manly at the moment!”

Rosco takes the bunch kick too

Job done, Alex collected his booty (a Garmin 800…..pretty nice prize) we all piled back into the cars, turned on radio Ryano and headed back  to Manly.   A good days racing.

Watch the master at getting low in your sprint

It’s always good to try something new, and when KMD rider Andy Bateman suggested that we should do some sprint drills on our next ride, I thought why not.

You’ve probably heard of slamming the stem  you can imagine my surprise when Andy told me that each sprint would start by “kissing your Garmin” well ok he said touching my chin on my Garmin, not kissing – but when you don’t have a chin like Buzzolini you have to use the lips.

As we rode up to North Head Andy explained the session devised by a sprint coach in NYC. He went to great pains to explain that the focus of this session was on TECHNIQUE. Cav displayed perfect form in the final stage of the 2009 TDF, even though he is closest to the camera you can see how low he is over his bars.

The idea is to get as LOW as you can, when you are sprinting – hence before you start touching your Garmin – place hands in the drops right up under the brake hoods. Arms pull (not straight) and core is solid and fixed.

Make sure that you have a good warm up – for me riding unto North Head wasn’t enough, I needed another 10 or 15 minutes.

We were using the loop at the end of North Head – sprinting from the end loop to the sign just past the Cafe – about 300m then turn around roll through the loop 1km then start again.

Set 1 – 4 reps: Gear: 53×15 Effort 60%/80% Distance 300m
Remember the goal is to focus on technique (staying low) and also shifting if you need to. The first few go pretty quickly, but three and four take more concentration to be low, fast and shift.

Set 2 – 4 reps: Gear: 53×15 Effort 80%/100% Start at 80% then focus on the kick for the last 50 meters, Distance 300m
The goal here is to accelerate to 80% then kick as hard as you can for the last 50 meters while you are staying low. Do the effort roll back to the start and repeat.

Set 3 – 4 reps: Gear: 53×11 Effort 100% for the kick Distance 200m
So you have done the big effort, the kick all while maintaining your new “low”. The question is can you do it while kicking in the 53×11?

Set 4 – 4 reps: Gear: 39×15 Effort 80% Sprint in the small ring at high RPM Distance 250m
Hands in the drops as above, but this time the focus is on form while at high RPM. I maxed out at about 155RPM.

Set 5 – 4 reps: Gear: 39×15 Effort 80% Spin out in your smallest gear  Distance 250m
Yes you read right, use your easiest gear – the goal here is to have high cadence and hold it while keeping your upper body as still as possible. This set is done on the top of the hoods. During this session I hit 172 rpm, for the first one I felt like I was going to lift my front wheel off the ground.

Andy showing how it's done

Mitch can get pretty low as well