UCI 2019 Gran Fondo World Championships (Poznan, Poland) - Ruth Strapp & Peter Budd (BiciSport)
UCI 2019 Gran Fondo World Championships (Poznan, Poland) - Ruth Strapp at the start
UCI 2019 Gran Fondo World Championships (Poznan, Poland) - Peter Budd at the start
2019 GRAN FONDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - POZNAN POLAND
Both Peter Budd & Ruth Strapp contested the 2019 Championships
Prelude - Naturally, both riders did a pre race circuit recce. The long loop circuit was 151k long with lots of twists & turns. The road surface varied from super smooth to really bad … lots of wheel breaking potholes. Temperatures were set at 32 degrees. The big news was that Ruth has to race 151k !! … when all of the pre race advertising was more like 107k. Similar weird decisions for the Team Relay (set for Thursday) but was somehow abruptly cancelled (??). The Polish people were especially friendly.
Race day
Peter Budd was 41k into the Championship (approx 25th-30th position in the peloton) and there happened to be an unmanned concrete traffic island in the middle of the road. Nobody called it out so I went over it. We were doing 50kph at the time and had averaged 44kph for the first 40k. So the collarbone is broken and a visit to a Polish hospital was never on the list of things to do. Other than a cracked helmet, shredded jersey & knicks and a busted body all is good. See you all at Amy Gillett Gran Fondo in Lorne.
Ruth Strapp finished 24 out of 38 in her age category but still happy to finish in the leading bunch sprint. Two age categories were together - so close to 70 riders vying for position in the final sprint. It was hectic to say the least with lots of shouting and then an ambulance on the left just 150m from the finish line (and I was on the left). Conditions were 30-:32 degrees and cross winds. I feel so grateful for all the support I’ve received to get here. Thanks especially to Redtek, Bicisport, Townsend Oval Crew, my partner Rhett and his mum Annette, Sam Hill, my sister Madonna, my Mum and to the many other friends, family and work colleagues that have made donations to enable me to get to Poland. A feel very privileged to have had this opportunity. For all the encouragement I’ve received from friends and family I am very grateful.
UCI World Gran Fondo Championships (Poznan, Poland) @ 1 Sept - Peter Budd’s jersey took a battering after the Battle of Poznan
M7 CYCLEPATH NEWS
For those amongst us who use the M7 Cyclepath from time time, it has become very handy to park up at the BP on Wallgrove Rd and enter the M7 Cyclepath from that vantage point. Be warned, cyclists who park there now will see their car towed away.
Other car parking options for M7 cyclists are currently under review (watch this space).
RACING THIS WEEK
6 Sept - RAW Track @ 7.30pm @ DGV
7-8 Sept - Goulburn Weekend (CycNSW) - ITT Championships & Gunning Road Races
8 Sept - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), West Head Road Race (Manly Warringah)
BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS
New Special Events added or updated on the BiciSport website now include -
Goulburn Weekend - September 7 & 8
For the ITT on the Saturday & Road Races on the Sunday
BiciSport starters Stewart Campbell, Mike Lawson, Randolph Baral, Graham Cockerton & Dom Zumbo
Amy Gillet Gran Fondo - September 15 & 16
10 BiciSport riders are doing the Amy Gillett Gran Fondo in September
Beers & Gears Cyclosportive (Wagga) - October 6
includes the Filthy 50 and the Dirty 130
Pilu Freshwater-Bear Cottage Charity Ride - October 13
Start Finish is at Pilu Freshwater then Church Point & return to Pilu Freshwater.
Bowral Classic - October 20
with Stewart Campbell & Team Happy Wheels
BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK - FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT 0417 403 244
* Motor traffic conditions are now HEAVIER with the NSW School Term in session
* Note -
Roadworks
Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !
Mona Vale Rd (Kimbriki Tip to Mona Vale) … road widening has commenced with a completion date of 2022.
All group rides are cancelled if wet
3 & 5 September
Waratah Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 8.05am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.40am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.15am then to St Ives for coffee
4 September
Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return
Dunc Grey Velodrome Winter Training Group @ 7pm @ 160 laps (40k) - Fast & Slow groups
5 September
Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo.
Chairmans Ride @ Centennial Park @ 10.30am @ Spruce Goose Cafe
7 September
Cnr Mill Park Street & Walker St Rhodes (at the Cafe) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (6 x 10k loops around SOPA).
BiciSport Coffee at Miramare Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am
Paris Roubaix 1983 - …. it was a bit difficult ….