June 2009 - Cycling Australia

June 2009
UCI MTB World Cup #3– Houffalize, Belgium
Words: Lachlan Norris
Inside this issue:
Race ReportHouffalize World Cup
1
Sponsor product of the
month- FELT
3
Race ReportMadrid World Cup
4
Riders’ Profile
6
The Road Ahead
9
Houffalize is renowned
was going to change all
that.
as the World Cup of
World Cups. When one
thinks of European World
MTB XC Cups, Houffalize is the first thing that
spring to mind. The drifting smells of waffles and
cigarette smoke, the cold
and overcast days, not to
mention a painful course
jam-packed full of
screaming spectators. In
the past few years Houffalize has not been super
kind to me, struggling to
have a good day or being
plagued with annoying
mechanicals. This year I
With a good week together as a team we were
in good spirits and race
day got off to good start
with the girls throwing it
down on the now drying
course. The report when
they returned to the car
was that it was getting
quick out there so I was
happy with my super light
GEAX Barro Race tyre on
the rear. Finishing in 27th,
Rowena was happy
enough with her day, another solid result for her.
Gracie also had a decent
Photo– Bill Conroy, The Advertiser
day, although doing the
lamington roll on one of
the nastier rock drop sections and dusting the
“A highlight in the race for me was the pulsating, deafening roar of the crowd for an entire lap with Belgian hero Fillip Mierhaeghe on my wheel. One day hopefully those cheers will be for me!”
Special points of
interest:
• Quirky Tassie facts
• FELT SIX TEAM
• Profile on Charlton
Durie & Gracie Elvin
course off she came home
in a strong 62nd and 15th
U23 in only her 3rd ever
world cup. It was now
time for us to take the
reigns and the nerves were
running high when the
gun finally went off. With
some brand new cables
and a shinny new SRAM
PC991 hollow pin chain
on board the Felt Six
Team it was running like a
dream and throwing it
onto the brutal start climb
I held position well. I was
sitting in around 50th with
100m to go when the lac-
tic acid began to build up
hard in my legs. That was
about the time I got
caught in a crash. From
then on my day consisted
of staying cool and working my way up from the
100s to 57th position and
7th U23. A frustrating but
Page 2
solid day. Nathan also had a decent
day, going out guns blazing and riding up in the 50s early on he faded a
bit and came home outside the top
100.
A highlight in the race for me was the
pulsating, deafening roar of the
crowd for an entire lap with Belgian
hero Fillip Mierhaeghe on my wheel.
One day hopefully those cheers will
be for me!
Thanks to Neil Ross for his mechanical, coaching, feeding and transportation skills. Thanks to Di Dickenson
for her hard work all week. Thanks to
the team sponsors Australian Sports
Commission, Tourism Tasmania, Tasmanian Institute of Sport, University
of Tasmania, Felt Bicycles, SRAM,
RockShox, Scody, GEAX, Bell and
Skins that make the wheels go
around.
Houffalize World Cup Results
Elite Men
1 Julien ABSALON
1:51:34
2 Wolfram KURSCHAT
1:51:49
3 Ralph NAEF
1:52:26
4 Burry STANDER
1:52:49
5 Jean-Christophe PERAUD
1:53:00
57 Lachlan NORRIS
2:01:25
157 Nathan HAAS
Elite Female
1 Margarita FULLANA RIERA 1:25:01
2 Catharine PENDREL
1:25:15
3 Chengyuan REN
1:25:47
4 Eva LECHNER
1:26:59
5 Elisabeth OSL
1:27:18
27 Rowena FRY
1:33:07
62 Gracie ELVIN
1:40:20
Grace Elvin post race at Houffalize
Photo by Oliver Kahl
For more informationwww.lachlannorris.com
2009 UTAS OPEN DAY
Need to know more about your study options?
Want to enhance or revive your career?
Or just want to find out more about what UTAS can offer you?
Uni Open Days provide:
a comprehensive course information expo, where you can talk to academic and general staff,
•
a schedule of undergraduate and postgraduate course overview sessions
presented by each of the faculties, as well as general information sessions, and
•
tours of campus facilities throughout the day.
Uni Open Days will be held as follows:
LAUNCESTON
Sunday 16 August, 10am – 3pm
HOBART
Sunday 23 August, 10am – 3pm
CRADLE COAST
Saturday 29 August, 10am – 2pm
A Program outlining the activities on each campus will be available online in
July 2009.
For more information, contact the Uni Info Centre on 1300 363 864 or visit
www.utas.edu.au
Page 3
DiscoverTasmania.com Team Bike
FELT SIX TEAM
The Six Team is the ultimate in cross-country race performance thanks to its Ultra High Modulus carbon fiber frame which gives incredible
stiffness, strength and little weight while damping vibration enough to smooth any trail. A lightweight 100mm travel RockShox SID Race
takes the edge off the big hits and Avid Juicy Ultimate disc brakes bring foolproof hydraulic stopping power to every turn. SRAM’s top-of-theline X-0 shifters and X-0 and X-9 derailleurs combined with a Truvativ Noir carbon crank make up an exceedingly lightweight drivetrain
for serious race performance. Just pin on a number.
The Specs...
COLOR: Matte Clear over Carbon SIZES 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5" FRAME Felt SIX Carbon XC series UHM Ultra‐
high modulus carbon fiber. Modular Monocoque Construction. 1 Piece Full carbon dropouts, Integrated headset, Hi clearance seat and chainstay yokes. "Dingle guard" Replaceable Kevlar. Down Tube protector. Bolt on Kevlar chain watcher. Disc specific, Replicable Derailleur Hanger. 1300grams FORK "2009 RockShox SID RACE 80/100mm All Travel Adjust Dual Air pressure via dual Schrader valves. Motion Control Damp‐
ing External rebound, low speed com‐
pression to 'Lock' with external Flood‐
gate. Magnesium Lowers, post mount disc brake, Forged, AL66 TV aluminium Crown, Aluminium 1 1/8"" Steerer. 32mm, 7000 series straight wall alumin‐
ium Stanchions, low friction anodized with sag gradients 1450 g (3.2 lb), Includes Poploc Remote" HEADSET Integrated 1‐1/8" Aheadset‐‐Cane Creek Type 45 Degree Sealed Cartridge Bear‐
ing, with Alloy Laser Top Cap, Custom Curved 1 x 15mm + 2 x 5mm Straight Washers STEM FELT RXC STEM Oversized 6061 Alloy, 3D Cold‐Forged + CNC,1‐1/8" Threadless 4‐
Bolt, 5 Degree Rise. 31.8mm Bar Bore CP Hardware. Extensions: 15.5=90mm; 17.5=100mm; 19.5=110mm; 21.5=120mm HANDLEBAR OVERSIZED 31.8mm DEVOX Carbon Flat bar, 5 degree Bend, Width: 600mm, 120 grams GRIPS: Felt Dual‐Density Extra‐Soft & Sticky (Recipe #25)center with Hard Outer Durometer, 130mm Length, 30mm OD, Grey outer/Blk grip section BAR END CAPS Rubber Plugs w/ Felt logo Bubble Decal, Included w/Grip SHIFTERS SRAM X‐0 Triggers 27 speed Shifter with adjustable clamp. FRONT DERAILLEUR 2009 SRAM X‐9 Bottom Pull Bottom Swing, Polished Finish 160grams REAR DERAILLEUR 2009 SRAM X‐0 Medium carbon cage 197grams CRANKSET Truvativ Noir Carbon Crankset, Unidirec‐
tional Carbon fiber with Alloy Spline. CNC and Anodized 4mm rings 44/32/22 BLK 800grams BB SET Truvativ Giga X Pipe XR, Super Oversized Heat Treated Cr‐Mo Included w/Crank FREEWHEEL SRAM PG‐990 11‐34 CHAIN: SRAM PC‐991 BRAKE LEVERS Avid Juicy Ultimate BRAKES: Avid Juicy Ultimate Hydraulic, Rotors: 160mm Front and Rear CABLES: Custom Felt Cable Set, Standard Black Casing, Featuring CP Stamped Logos & FELT Rubber 2‐Tone Tube Tops at Head Tube and One Red CNC Alloy ferrule Brake hose supplied with Brakeset SADDLE: Felt RXC Lite, Super Low Side Profile Look with Medium/Flat Top, Superlight Foam, Double‐Density Base, Silver Tubular NiTi Rails www.feltracing.com
SEAT POST Felt Two‐Bolt Alloy Micro‐Adjust, 100% Black, 30.9x350mm, 275g SEAT POST CLAMP Felt Bolt‐Type with Logo, Cold Forged + CNC, 6061 Aluminium, with Steel Barrel Nut Design, 35mm F/HUB Wheelset R/HUB Wheelset RIMS SUN‐RINGLE Black Flag Wheelset Black anodized, welded Equalizer 21 rims, Black anodized Dirty Flea hub set with sealed ceramic bearings, Front 28 and rear 28 Wheelsmith spokes BLK finish, Wheelsmith black ano alloy nipples SUNringle alloy QR with hollow chromoly axles. 1421g TIRE Felt Devox RXC tire Low Knob RXC specific design, XXX Endurance Dual Compound, 120 tpi case, Dual Com‐
pound with Folding Tubeless ready bead, 26 x 2.0 SPOKES Wheelset PEDALS None Page 4
UCI MTB World Cup #4– Madrid, Spain
Words: Rowena Fry
Madrid Moments
The 4
th
of the 2009
Mountain Bike World
Cups descended upon
Spain’s largest city, Madrid. From our base in
Varese, Italy it was only a
short hop and skip
(actually it was a 20 hour
drive) across to the Spanish capital. The drive was
a long one but at least we
got to take in some of the
Spanish countryside and
be amazed by the fields of
wind generators that lined
the highways.
Picture: from top to bottom
1.
Keeping our machines squeaky
clean
2.
Team van Vs Corvette
3.
Corvette wins!
greeted us, despite the
sunny race day. Gracie
and I opted for part of our
warm-up on course to get
used to the conditions. We
came back with both ourselves and our bikes covered in mud. Yep, it was
going to be a fun one. The
organizers took pity on the
field and reduced the race
from 5 to 4 laps.
the women’s race for helping to dry out the course.
Perfect conditions greeted
the DiscoverTasmania.com
guys and they all performed well, finishing on
lead lap (the first time for
Nathan and Charlton). The
6 laps were flat out from
the gun and there was more
than one stiff and sore body
by race end. Lachie had a
solid day out and finished
in 58th position (11th U23).
Nathan Hass had his best
ride of the season to date,
finishing within 12% of the
winners time in 74th position (18th U23). Charlton
was just beaten in a sprint
finish for the line and took
86thplace (24th U23).
The start was hectic and
the big field combined
with the slick conditions
was a recipe for chaos. A
couple of large crashes in
Tired and weary we
the first kilometer kept us
quickly settled into our
all on our toes. Fortucomfy abode located a
nately, I had a good start
convenient 15 minute ride and missed the carnage
from Casa del Campo, a
and Gracie dodged her
large park in the city centre, where the race is held.
“The course was brutal, as our legs
It is a unique venue for
complained to us at the finish line”
mountain biking as quite
often we find ourselves
way past bodies and bikes All in all a very successful
racing in small country
with expertise.
World Cup race for Distowns and away from maThe course was brutal, as coverTasmania.com and a
jor centres. To be racing
our legs complained to us great way to end our first
right amidst the hustle
European World Cup trip
at the finish. Fast dragand bustle of Madrid is an
as a team.
like sections were interamazing experience. The
spersed with short sharp
Spanish love their cycling
climbs. It was definitely
and a good crowd is alfast and furious. Towards
ways guaranteed.
the end of the race the
We were greeted by the
course had dried out
usual 30 degrees Celsius, nicely and our GEAX Sabright, clear sunny days
guaro tyres were hooking
that one associates with
up a dream. By race end, I
Spain. Unbelievably, on
had battled my way to 23rd
the two days prior to the
position and Gracie a
race we experienced rain creditable 51st and 11th in
and the course was trans- the Under 23 Category.
formed. The Women’s
The Men’s race was up
race was first up and
next and they can thank
slick, muddy conditions
Page 5
Madrid World Cup Results
Elite Men
Elite Female
1 Julien ABSALON
1:44:32
1 Margarita FULLANA RIERA 1:25:01
2 Ralph NAEF
1:45:38
2 Catharine PENDREL
1:25:15
3 Wolfram KURSCHAT
1:52:26
3 Chengyuan REN
1:25:47
4 Burry STANDER
1:52:49
4 Eva LECHNER
1:26:59
5 Jean-Christophe PERAUD
1:53:00
5 Elisabeth OSL
1:27:18
57 Lachlan NORRIS
2:01:25
27 Rowena FRY
1:33:07
62 Gracie ELVIN
1:40:20
The UCI World Cup has been received great interest with statistics indicating a promising trend. Attendance number may appear
to decline in the table provided below, but rest assure each venue has been up to near maximum capacity. The total number of
attendance will vary depending on the size of the venue. The official webcaster for UCI MTB events is Freecaster.tv .All UCI
events can be viewed at this site. For more information on the UCI– www.uci.ch/
UCI World Cup Attendance
Pietermaritzburg (RSA)
Offenburg (GER)
Houffalize (BEL)
La Bresse (FRA)
Vallnord (AND)
Madrid (ESP)
17,000
6,000
20,000
22,000
10,000
12,000
UCI World Cup live video stream
UCI World Cup Video on demand
Pietermaritzburg (RSA)
Offenburg (GER)
Houffalize (BEL)
La Bresse (FRA)
Vallnord (AND)
Pietermaritzburg (RSA)
Offenburg (GER)
Houffalize (BEL)
La Bresse (FRA)
Vallnord (AND)
51,485
30,712
45,782
62,970
54,557
145,080
16,790
46,890
40,308
70,470
Page 6
DiscoverTasmania.com Rider Profile
CHARLTON DURIE
Personal Details
Date of Birth
10 May 1990
Place of Birth
Sydney NSW.
Resides
Bowral NSW
Occupation
Website developer
Sports Background
Discipline
Mountain Bike - Cross Country
Home Club
Southern Highlands CC
Professional Team
DiscoverTasmania.com
Started Competitive Cycling
16 years of age
First Australian Team
2008 MTB World Championships
UCI Ranking & Points
183 & 135 respectively
Career Highlights
Australian Teams
2008 Junior MTB World Championships ITA
General Interest
Ambitions
Do the best I can in mountain bike racing
Hobbies
Computers, web development, beach, body boarding
Website
www.charltondurie.com
Likes
Riding, computers, beaches
Why mountain biking
It is a sport that never loses its thrills, a track can be
ridden hundreds of times and every time it just gets
better and faster.
Worst part
Having a mechanical in the middle of an important
race.
Worst career moment
Feeling flat in really important races
Favourite food
Favourite music
Salads, meats and pastas.
A variety of different bands including Hilltop Hoods,
Muse, Matchbox Twenty, Gyroscope.
Riding with a group of friends just having fun to
together.
Anyone who can win an elite cross country race with
a significant lead.
Cross country jumps on fast flowing single tracks.
Ride because you want to ride, not because someone
wants you to.
Riding with the Southern Highlands crew and doing
a lot of hard, long km by myself.
Do the best I can.
Best idea of having good time:
Most respected mountain bike riders:
Favourite riding:
Advice to beginners:
Typical Training week:
Objectives for this season:
Results
2009
U23 (4th elite) XCO Rd 5 Australian MTB Series
TAS
2008
1st Junior Australian MTB Championships
10th National Round #4 ITA
2007
1st NSW/ACT Junior MTB Series
1st Junior Australian MTB Championships
Page 7
DiscoverTasmania.com Rider Profile
GRACIE ELVIN
Personal Details
Date of Birth
31 October 1988
Place of Birth
Canberra ACT
Resides
Yarralumla ACT
Occupation
Personal Trainer
Sports Background
Discipline
Mountain Bike - Cross Country
Home Club
Canberra CC
Home State
ACT
Professional Team
Cycling Australia DiscoverTasmania.com
Coach
Neil Ross
Started Competitive Cycling
13 years of age began road racing
Career Highlights
Major Awards and Honours
2006 Cycling ACT Junior MTB of the Year
2007-08 ACT Most Sportsmanlike Interclub Criterium Series
General Interest
Ambitions
To represent Australia at Olympic Games and World Championships
Hobbies
Reading, motor biking, bushwalking, camping, movies, snooker
Likes
Cycling of all kinds, reading, outdoors, horseriding, travelling,
learning new skills.
Why mountain biking
All aspects of the sport are great: the riding is fun and there is
always something new to try, get better at and thrilling; the
people are friendly and the races always have a great atmosphere;
and the places it can take you.
Worst part
The amount of time and money that goes into keeping your bike
maintained! I am also getting a rather unattractive collection of
scars...
Worst career moment
And possibly the best career moment: Taking a very dramatic
fall at the most crowded spectator point at the World Cup in
Houffalize 09, covering myself in dirt including my face.
Highly embarrassing but I did get a lot more attention and photos
from the fans than most other riders!
Favourite food
Chocolate, fruit, sushi and anything made by mum and dad!
Favourite music
A huge variety of old and new, as long as it is interesting and
has a good beat.
Best idea of having good time: Sharing beautiful places and experiences with friends and family.
Most respected mountain bike riders:Those who go out and do their best, and not make excuses if
they have a bad day.
Favourite riding:
Riding new race courses across Australia and internationally. I
have loved the European races so far!
Advice to beginners:
Be confident in yourself and don’t worry about everyone else.
Have your own routines and be self reliant, but most of all make
sure you are loving every minute of it!
Typical Training week:
A mix of road riding and MTB, with either distance or intensity
Page 8
Typical Training week:
A mix of road riding and MTB, with either distance or intensity depending on the training period. Usually a race
day most weeks and a long fun MTB on the weekend with Dad.
Objectives for this season:
Finish all planned races and continue to earn UCI points for a good ranking and work my way through the U23
field. I am aiming for a top 10 placing in the U23 division at the World Championships held at Stomlo, Canberra
in September.
Results
2009
1st U23 XCO MTB Australian C'ships ACT
1st U23 XCO Rd 5 Australian MTB Series TAS
1st overall U23 XCO Australian MTB Series
2nd U23 XCO Oceania MTB Championships ACT
2008
1st U23 (4th elite) Round 2 XCO MTB National Series QLD
1st U23 (5th elite) Round 1 XCO MTB National Series SA
3rd Short Track MTB World Cup ACT
2004
1st Road Team Time Trial Junior Australian Championships
Quirky Tasmania- Did You Know?
The first telephone call in Australia was made in Tasmania, between Launceston and Campbell Town in 1874.
The first parking meters in Australia were installed in Collins Street, Hobart, in 1955.
Tasmania has more visitors per year than its entire population.
Tasmania was the first state to introduce ground-breaking relationship legislation (Relationships Act 2003), providing legal rights for
de factos and same-sex couples in ‘significant relationships’.
Australia’s first legal casino was opened in Hobart in 1973.
Australia’s oldest live theatre venue, the Theatre Royal in Hobart.
Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world, measured at Cape Grim on the north-west coast.
Tasmania was the first Australian state to introduce a compulsory state education system in 1868.
The Tasmanian town of Coles Bay, on the Freycinet Peninsula, was the first town in Australia to ban plastic bags in April 2003.
Australia’s oldest brewery, Cascade Brewery is in Hobart.
Australia’s oldest golf course is at Bothwell, in the Tasmanian midlands.
Tasmanian George Adams established the first Tattersalls Lottery in Hobart, 1896.
This lottery has now evolved into Australia’s Tattslotto system.
Tasmania has the lowest crime rate of any Australian state.
Australia’s oldest bridge still in use is the 1823, convict-built Richmond Bridge.
The longest single-span chairlift in the world is across Launceston’s Cataract Gorge.
Hobart is the second driest capital city in Australia, after Adelaide.
The world’s smallest marsupial, the pygmy possum, is native to Tasmania.
The Road Ahead
DiscoverTasmania.com’s inaugural European campaign will soon come to an end for 2009. After
six (including South Africa) highly intense races spanning over three months, the team will race its
final European race in Austria this weekend before coming home for a deserving R&R. Although
not a UCI World Cup event, but instead a highly anticipated Alpentour Trophy in Schladming, the
team will ensure their successful assault on the European circuit will continue prosper.
When the team regroups in Tassie for its training camp in the middle of June,. Neil Ross will fine
tune his athletes in preparation for the Bromont and Mont Saint Anne World Cups in Canada.
To conclude the team’s success in Europe, each team member has accomplished remarkable
achievements. All team riders has progressed and achieved some excellent results. In the first half
of the season, personal best performance were obtained by all riders.
With such as great season launch, the team can only improve on their achievements from their
opening European season and with this in mind, the sky is the limit for this talented young group of
riders. Coach Neil Ross, the riders and support staff are looking forward to the rest of the year with
great anticipation. Thank you so much for your on-going support.
June
16-25 Training Camp
Launceston, TAS Australia
July
25
UCI MTB World Cup #5
Mont Saint Anne, Canada
UCI MTB World Cup XC #6
Bromont, Canada
August
1
11-20 Pre-Worlds Training Camp
Launceston, TAS Australia
September
3
SPONSORS
UCI MTB World Championships
Stromlo Forest, ACT Australia
The Cycling Australia DiscoverTasmania.com MTB XCO team extends its
sincere appreciation to its sponsors. We could not do it without you!
Tourism Tasmania
Tasmanian Institute of Sport
University of Tasmania
Felt Bicycles
SRAM and RockShox componentary
Scody clothing
Cateye
GEAX Tyres
Bell helmets
Skins compression garment
TORQ nutrition and energy bars
CONTACTS
Neil Ross
National MTB XCO Head Coach, CA
Telephone: 03 6336 2013
Email: coachneilross@gmail.com
Cycling Australia
High Performance Office (CA)
Telephone: 08 8360 5888
Email: ais.cycling@ausport.gov.au
Website: www.cycling.org.au
Brett Hidson
National MTB High Performance Manager, CA
Telephone: 08 8360 5888
Email: brett.hidson@ausport.gov.au
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA)
Telephone: 07 4959 1913
Email: tony.scott@mtba.asn.au
Website: www.mtba.asn.au
Kenny Dudek
National MTB High Performance Administrator, CA
Telephone: 08 8360 5888
Email: kenny.dudek@ausport.gov.au
Australian Sports Anti-Doping
(ASADA)
Telephone: 1300 027 232
Email: asada@asada.gov.au
Website: www.asada.gov.au
Authority