News Shorts - 14 November

Gosford Track Open - David Browne (BiciSport)

Gosford Track Open - David Browne 2nd, Ayrton Gilbert 1st, Adam Gilbert 3rd

Gosford Track Open - David Browne takes a win

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Gosford Track Open on 12 Nov - David Browne & Kirsty Flanagan featured at the Gosford Track Open. David finished 3rd in the Wheelrace Final and collected numerous placings in Division 2. 

*  Crouch Update - After his broken collarbone John Crouchley will be off the bike for a month, but will still be conducting BiciSport DGV track training on Mondays from 3pm.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 15 - Heffron Park (ES), Western Sydney Dragway (Marconi)

*  Nov 18 - HART Criteriums (MW)

*  Nov 19 - Bathurst Track Open (NSW)

*  Nov 20 - Western Sydney Dragway (Waratah Masters), Tour de Range Criteriums (Nagambie, Vic), Winery Ride Cyclosportive (Mitchelton, Vic), Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (NS)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 14 - DGV Track Training (John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Nov 16 - Berowra Groupetto (to Calga & return 60k). Berowra Railway Station 7.30am

*  Nov 17 - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Nov 19 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.,30am

*  Nov 20 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am

 Centennial Park @ 11am Thursday

BEAR COTTAGE CHARITY TRAINING RIDE - SUNDAY 27 NOVEMBER

*  The annual Bear Cottage Charity Ride is on Sunday 27 November and is a must do charity ride from the Fixed Wheel cycle shop at Manly. The ride usually departs in 2 groups from the Fixed Wheel then along Pittwater Rd to Church Point and returns along Pittwater Rd for "the worlds greatest morning tea" at the Pilu Restaurant at Freshwater at approximately 9.00am. As training rides go this is a great cause only matched by the hospitality of the Fixed Wheel and Gio Pilu. Donations (for Bear Cottage) for the training ride is just $20 per head and the Pilu morning tea is another $20. There is also a community auction at the Pilu Restaurant to raise much needed funds for Bear Cottage. Meeting time at Fixed Wheel is 6.10am for a 6.30am departure in 2 groups. Please ensure you wear your BiciSport team clothing.   

Bear Cottage Charity Ride is Sunday 27 November departing from the Fixed Wheel in Manly at 6.30am   

Happy Stew Campbell at Waterloo

News Shorts - 7 November

Speedy recovery to John Crouchley who suffered a broken collarbone on a training ride  

Katie Brown attends the UCI Sport Directors Course this week in Aigle Switzerland

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Speedy recovery to John Crouchley who suffered a broken collarbone on a training ride on November 5 on the Grand Parade at Sans Souci. John will still be assisting with BiciSport DGV track training every Monday from 3pm-5pm. 

*  Katie Brown attends a UCI Sport Directors course in Aigle, Switzerland

*  MS Gong Criteriums on Nov 6 - Stewart Campbell finished 7th in Division 2.

*  ATTA ITT at Calga on Nov 6 - Over 40k Roy Edwards was 10th (from 20) in 1hr 11min. Over the 25k distance Len Groen was 17th (from 44) in 38min 4secs

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 8 - Eastern Creek (Marconi), Heffron Park (ES)

*  Nov 11 - HART St Ives (MW)

*  Nov 12 - Tour de Bress (Bendigo, Vic), Bass Coast Classic Cyc;loSportive (Inverloch, Vic), Central Coast Track Open (Gosford), Track Super Series (DISC, Melbourne)

*  Nov 13 - West Head (MW), Heffron Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 7 - DGV Track Training (John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Nov 10 - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Nov 12 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.15am

*  Nov 13 - Piemonte Café @ 7.30am for Akuna Bay

The Patersburg climb in Flanders. Entries for the Tour of Flanders & Paris Roubaix cyclosportives in 2017 are now open  

Flanders & Roubaix CycloSportives - Entries Open

For those BiciSport riders doing Flanders & Roubaix in 2017 then its time. Flanders is the 180k option (from Antwerp) and Roubaix is the 70k option to-from the Roubaix Velodrome.   

Tour of Flanders - Entries open now at www.werideflanders.com

Paris Roubaix - Entries open from 8 November at www.skodaclassicchallenge.com

Flanders 2017 now starts in Antwerp

News Shorts - 31 October

Graham Tierney heads for Mount Hotham

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 1 - Heffron Park Criteriums (ES)

*  Oct 31-Nov 5 - Melbourne 6 Day Track

*  Nov 5 - Sprint Grand Prix # 2 (DGV)

*  Nov 6 - MS Gong Criteriums (CyclingNSW), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), HART Criteriums St Ives (MW), ATTA TT (Calga)

Sunday November 6

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Oct 31 - DGV Track Training (John Crouchley) 3pm-5pm

*  Nov 3 - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Nov 5 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.15am (coffee only)

*  Nov 6 - Beaumont Rd, Mt Ku Ring Gai @ 8.30am (training laps only) 

Piemonte Café at Terrey Hills is the number one 'park & ride' option on the Northern Beaches. Park your car & head for a traffic free ride through Akuna Bay & West Head. The Piemonte Café is also the preferred BiciSport coffee house on a Saturday & Sunday from 9.15am. 

BiciSport again goes to the Flanders Classics in 2017. The organised cobbled homage (more of a Tom Boonen tribute tour) goes from mid March commencing with Dwars Vlaanderen up until Paris Roubaix on April 9 with a few Classic cyclosportives thrown in for good measure.

The Tour of Flanders returns to the Mur in 2017

Ultimate Italian Retro Sale

ITALIAN RETRO SALE

Some of the best Italian retro for sale (not a hint of Japanese fishing equipment in sight). Serious steel from the 1980's with real chrome. If you want Classic Italian steel envy at your local café this is it ... 

*  Colnago Steel Frame (Saronni Blue) - Fully restored to 1983 specs (colour, decals, front mech hanger cables UNDER bottom bracket) with chrome forks. 53cm x 53cm centre to centre (medium size), includes Campagnolo head fittings.  $1,500

*  Colnago Steel Frame (Saronni Burgundy) - Fully restored to 1981 specs (colour, decals, front mech hanger cables OVER bottom bracket) with chrome forks. 58cm x 58cm centre to centre (large size). $1,500

*  Retro Campagnolo components also available - Handelbars, stems, brakes, hubs, wheels, gear lever parts

*  Wilier Centro One 2012 complete bike (medium) + Campag 10 Speed groupset + Mavic wheels. As new complete Wilier Centro One (oversize carbon) never ridden not a scratch. Classic Italian design in full carbon. $2,000

*  Contact Mike O'Reilly 0417 403 244 or bicisport1@gmail.com

News Shorts - 24 October

Kirsty Flanagan leading the Womens peloton at the Mick Chapman

Ruth Strapp & Kirsty Flanagan at the Mick Chapman Memorial

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Mick Chapman Memorial 23 Oct - Ruth Strapp & Kirsty Flanagan competed in the Open Womens Division with 16 starters & both rode well to finish in the main peloton.

*  Bowral Classic 23 Oct - BiciSport starters included Stewart Campbell, John Robb, Kylie Mildren, Penny Kee, Cecile Beams, Kate Brown, Tom Green, Ian Grainger and Anthony Colantonio. Anthony rode the 160k in 4 hrs 38min. Thanks to Robyn Sprouster, Peter Davis, Cleo Higgins, John Crouchley & Alex Simmons for making it happen.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Oct 26 - Heffron Park Criteriums 

*  Oct 29-30 - Wagga Track Open

*  Oct 29 - Noosa Criterium

*  Oct 30 - Lansdowne (Waratah Masters), Mt Ku Ring Gai (NS)

CycloSportives THIS WEEK

*  Oct 28-29 - Sydney to the Hunter

*  Oct 29 - Captains Ride (Bowral to Perisher) - Steve Waugh Foundation

*  Oct 30 - Peaks Challenge Cradle Mountain (Tas) 

BiciSport Training this week

*  Oct 24 - DGV Track Training (3pm - 5pm) with John Crouchley

*  Oct 27 - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Oct 29 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.30am (coffee)

*  Oct 30 - Piemonte Café @ 8am  

Eddy Merckx takes another Milan San Remo Classic

Molteni Salami

News Shorts - 17 October

Rolly Delaytz (2nd wheel-yellow helmet) at the Sydney Spring Cycle Criterium at Homebush Olympic Park. Rolly went on to finish 3rd.  

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Len Groen finished 10th at the ATTA ITT over 25k in a quick time of 37min 44 min

*  Rolly Delaytz took the win at Heffron Park on 11 October

*  Homebush Spring Cycle Criteriums on 16 October - Several BiciSport rode this criterium but the results remain a mystery (courtesy of CyclingNSW). Rolly Delaytz finished 3rd in Division 2. 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Oct 18 - Heffron Park Criteriums (ES)

*  Oct 22 - Sprint Grand Prix # 1 (Dunc Gray Velodrome)

*  Oct 23 - Mick Chapman Memorial (Kurri Kurri), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Oct 20 - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Oct 22 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.45am for coffee  

BOWRAL CLASSIC THIS WEEK

*  Several BiciSport members are assisting with the Bowral Classic this coming Sunday including Ian Grainger, Anthony Colantonio, Mike O'Reilly, Peter Davis, Cleo Higgins, Robyn Sprouster, Alex Simmons & John Crouchley

Ok, its not Bowral but a great picture from the top of the Patersberg at the E3 Harelbeke in Flanders

News Shorts - 10 October

Manchester - Mike Smith (Gold Medal in Sprint, Bronze in Team Sprint)

Manchester - Mike Smith (left) in the M4 Sprint Final

Manchester - Mike Smith (World Masters Sprint Champion M4 Category)

Manchester - Team Sprint podium for the Bronze

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Mike Smith took the Gold medal in the M4 Sprint at the World Masters Track Championships in Manchester UK. Mike then followed it up with Bronze in the Team Sprint

*  Conor Tarlington rode well at the West Head Wall Handicap over 5 laps on 9 October

RACING THIS WEEK

*  11 Oct - Heffron Park Criteriums

*  15 Oct - Melbourne to Warnambool Classic (NRS), Illawarra Track Open (Dapto)

*  16 Oct - Homebush Spring Cycle Criteriums (CycNSW), Lansdowne (Waratah Masters), Mt Ku Ring Gai (NS), Darren Smith Classic (Qld)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  10 Oct - Schools resume & traffic conditions are heavier

*  13 Oct - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  15 Oct - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.30am for coffee

*  16 Oct - Piemonte Café @ 8.00am for Akuna Bay  

The World Cycling Championships start in Doha this week

World Masters Track Championships - Mike Smith takes Sprint Gold +Team Sprint Bronze

Congratulations to Mike Smith (BiciSport M4) took Sprint Gold at the World Masters Track Championships in Manchester.  Mike won the Sprint Final 2-1 then took Bronze in the Team Sprint. 

News Shorts - 3 October

Bicisport member news

*  Tom Green took a fine Waratah Masters B grade win at ECR on 2 October

GRIFFITH MASTERS ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS    1-3 October

Griffith had hosted the two previous NSW Masters Road Championships in near perfect conditions. This year it was the turn of the National Masters Road Championships in much more difficult conditions. The rain came tumbling down right up until the Friday night before but the weekend dawned sunny & clear save for a strong wind which really toughened up the road races.  The road races were on a 17k circuit near the Griffith Airport on the edge of town, the criteriums on a great city centre circuit, with the ITT using parts of the road race circuit. 

Road Race - M1 - Brad Hamblett 3rd, Jeremy Hopson 5th. M2 - Ian Cocks 6th, David Munro 9th. M4 - Dean Gale 5th, Jordan Reizes 18th. M5 - Simon Lemperiere 11th, Matt Coy 24th, Anthony Colantonio 25th. M8 - Ian Grainger 13th.

Criteriums - M1 - Brad Hamblett 2nd, Jeremy Hopson 4th. M2 - David Munro 7th, Ian Cocks 13th. M8 - Ian Grainger 9th.  

ITT - M5 - Anthony Colantonio 10th. M8 - Ian Grainger 5th

Griffith 16 - BiciSport Pilu Racing Team

Griffith 16 - Ian Grainger

Griffith 16 - Anthony Colantonio

RACING THIS WEEK

*  3 Oct - Mt Ku Ring Gai (NS), National Masters Champs ITT (Griffith), Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters) 

*  4 Oct - Heffron Park (RB) - Tuesday Night Series commence

*  7-8 Oct - National Junior Track Series

*  8 Oct - League of Wheelmen Reunion (Mt Pritchard) , Midlands Tour (Vic)

*  5-9 Oct - Tour of Tasmania (NRS) - Alex Simmons (BiciSport) as Chf Comm driver

*  1-7 Oct - World Masters Track Championships (Manchester UK) - Mike Smith (BiciSport) 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  6 Oct - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  8 Oct - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.15am (coffee only)

*  9 Oct - Piemonte Café @ 8am for Akuna Bay Loop

Belgium - E3 Grand Prix passes the front door of the Kokerelle B&B on the Eikenberg descent.  

Daylight Saving starts Sunday 2 October

News Shorts - 26 September

Masters National Road Championships - Griffith 1-3 October

Griffith CC host the National Masters this coming weekend with the following BiciSport contenders - Anthony Colantonio, Dean Gale, Matt Coy, James Thornton, Simon Lempriere, Brad Hamblett, Jordan Reizes, Ian Grainger, Jeremy Hopson, David Munro, Mike O'Reilly (Race Director), Robyn Sprouster (Commissaire), Fiona Fahy (Commissaire), Danny Fahy (Moto Scout) & John Crouchley (Convoy Driver) 

World Masters Track Championships - Manchester 1-7 October

Best wishes to Mike Smith (BiciSport) at the upcoming Manchester Worlds

Racing This Week

*  1-3 Oct - National Masters Road Championships (Griffith)

*  1-7 Oct - World Masters Track Championships (Manchester, UK)

*  2 Oct - ATTA TT at Calga

*  2&3 Oct - Waratah Masters (Eastern Creek)

*  3 Oct - Mt Ku Ring Gai (NS)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  29 Sept - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  1 Oct - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am

*  1 Oct - Piemonte Café @ 9.30am (coffee)  

Happy Wheels in new shop at Waterloo

Stewart (Computa) Campbell has been a longtime sponsor of BiciSport and recently moved his Happy Wheels cycle shop to a new location in George Street Waterloo. Best wishes to Stewie and the team on their new start.

Happy Team Car

Bowral Classic - Entries to be closed off soon

This new cyclosportive in the Southern Highlands is soon to be approaching the entry limits and both the 160k and 90k options will be closed off. If you want in then now is the time. Mike O'Reilly is the Ride Director for the event.

US Peloton magazine (latest edition) featured the 1960's retro Mafac brake caliper on the front cover. Looks like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie   

News Shorts - 19 September

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Fiona Fahy (BiciSport) has gained selection to the CycNSW Technical Commission (advises the sport on all technical aspects) 

*  The Graham Jones Narrabeen Lagoon Track dedication was held on 16 September with 60 friends, relatives, local politicians and Northern Beaches Council representatives in attendance. 

TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

*  22 Sept - Centennial Park @ 11am

*  23 Sept - School holidays commence & traffic congestion eases

*  24 Sept - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am for Homebush Loops

*  25 Sept - St Ives @ 7.30am & Piemonte Café car park @ 8.00am (for Akuna Bay)   

RACING THIS WEEK

*  24 Sept - NSW ITT Championships (Breadalbane NSW)

*  25 Sept - Breadalbane RR (CycNSW), Rob Vernon Classic (Bendigo), Calga RR (Central Coast CC), Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters)

Graham Jones Monument on the Narrabeen Lagoon Walk

News Shorts - 12 September

Ian Grainger at the Amy Gillett

Ian Grainger at the Amy Gillett

Anthony Colantonio at Amy Gillett

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Graham Jones was a BiciSport cyclist killed in a training accident in November 2002. Warringah Council have acknowledged Graham's extensive community contribution and will name the Narrabeen Lagoon Walking Track in his honour on Friday 16 September at 9.45am at the Middle Cove Reserve

*  ATTA at Calga on 4 Sept - Ian Grainger rode the 25k in 43min 56secs (24th from 35 starters)

*  Amy Gillett Gran Fondo on 11 Sept - Ian Grainger rode the 120k in 3hrs 51min (7th from 48 starters) in his age category. Anthony Colantonio also rode well. Both Ian & Anthony qualified for the 2017 World UWCT Championships in Albi France

TRAINING Rides THIS WEEK

*  14 Sept - BiciSport Corporate Ride (Centennial Park 7.30am) - invitation only

*  15 Sept - Centennial Park 11am (lower loops)

*  17 Sept - Meadowbank Bridge Rhodes 7.30am (SOPA Loops)   

*  18 Sept - St Ives (opp Patersons Café) Stanley St 7.30am (for Akuna Bay Loop) 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  16 Sept - RAW Track finishes 16 Sept

*  17 Sept - Calga (Central Coast - 2pm), Hunter 100k Interclub (Kurri Kurri)

*  17 Sept - CyclingNSW College of Commissaires Conference (DGV) 

*  18 Sept - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Mt Ku Ring Gai ((North Sydney)

Entries closing

*  Griffith Masters Nationals on 1-3 Oct - entries are closing soon

*  Bowral Classic on 23 Oct - Entry levels are exceeding all expectations and if you want in then now is the time. Entries will be closing very shortly.

BICISPORT CANBERRA CAMDEN - 4 & 5 MARCH 2017     

BiciSport has joined forces with Harlequin Wheelmen in conducting an organised ride between Canberra & Camden over 4&5 March with a full support crew to assist. Note your diary.

PRO TEAM CARS - the 404 edition

The Peugeot 404 was released in 1963 and was a staple pro team car up until 1975. Not only was it a pro team car it was also the car of choice during the Tour de France for many years. Designed by Pinafarina, it was no Ferrari but it looked good. Some Peugeot 404 team cars had the rear door redesigned with a leather flap replacing the window & door panel. The team mechanic simply hung out through the gap and serviced the rider.         

Eddy Merckx in the 1967 Paris Nice beside the Peugeot 404 team car. The picture highlights the mechanic sitting through the back rear door flap (no window no door panel). Peugeot team cars had a different decal placement at the Tour de France.   

Tom Simpson at the 1967 Tour de France with the 404 in attendance. Sadly Tom died on Mont Ventoux. 

Eddy Merckx at the 1969 Tour de France. Note the mechanic's rear door & a somewhat regal Lomme Driessens hanging out the roof. 

A trip to the Tour of Flanders Museum in Oudenaarde is rewarded with a Flandria Pro Team car (Peugeot 404) as the prime exhibit. The matching Flandria team bikes on the roof are a nice touch. Maybe Belgium was too cold in the Spring Classics as the back rear door for the mechanic was intact. 

News Shorts - 5 September

www.griffithcycleclub.com

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Perth UWCT (1-4 September) - The BiciSport road race results were - Category 18-34 Jeremy Hopson 27th @ 3min11secs. Category 45-49 - Dean Gale 27th @ 11-03, Gio Pilu 112th @ 36-00. Category 50-54 - Anthony Colantonio 92nd @ 26-00. Full results at www.timedresult.com 

*  Vic Masters Road - National Cyclocross Champs - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Master) took Silver at the Victorian Masters Road Champs (Wangaratta August 13) then took Silver at the National Cyclocross Champs (Adelaide August 20)

RACING THIS WEEK

*  September 10 - Calga (Central Coast CC)

*  September 10-11 - Royal National Park Cyclosportive (Garie Beach, Sutherland)

*  September 11 - West Head (Manly), Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters), Amy Gillett Gran Fondo (Lorne, Vic), CyclingNSW Presidents Forum (DGV)  

PRO TEAM CARS - BELGIAN EDITION

Belgian pro team cars were seemingly a motley crew - cars were often French (seemingly a Peugeot) and Molteni were famous for using the original Volvo "butter box". The Volvo was disarmingly boring as a car but the Molteni Eddy Merckx combination elevated it to iconic status.   

Herman Van Springel in front of a Volvo

Quick Step Peugeot team car at the 3 Days of De Panne

Eddy Merckx in the pouring rain at the 1969 Tour of Flanders with 70k to go with Lomme Driessens asking him to slow down & wait (good luck with that Lomme). The Faema car is the Peugeot 404 (designed by Pinafarina) used by many pro teams and at the Tour de France.  

The only thing that saved the Volvo from the recycling bin was that is was attached to the greatest cyclist of all time.  An Italian sponsor, a Belgian team and a Swedish car with a dark brown colour scheme. Somehow it worked.

With a roof like that .... who cares about the team car

Graham Jones - Narrabeen Lagoon Track Dedication

Graham Jones was a keen cyclist and Northern Beaches event organiser. Graham contributed heavily to both Manly and BiciSport clubs. Graham was killed in a training accident with a bus in Chatswood in November 2002. 

In recognition of his services to the Northern Beaches community generally the Narrabeen Lagoon walking & cycle track is to be dedicated in his name. The naming ceremony will be held at the Middle Creek Reserve at 9.45am on Friday 16 September. Representatives of Manly Club (Peter McNamara) and BiciSport (Mike O'Reilly) will attend. 

Graham Jones Track circulates the Narrabeen Lagoon. A great walk or cycle.

News Shorts - 29 August

BICISPORT NEWS

**  Kirsty Flanagan took the 'fastest woman' award at the Caltex Handicap at Calga on 28 August. 

rACING THIS WEEK

**  2 September - RAW at DGV

**  31-4 September - Tour of Gippsland (NRS). Alex Simmons assists as the Chief Commissaire driver.

**  1-4 September - UWCT in Perth

**  4 September - Ashfield Cup (Waratah Masters at ECR), ATTA at Calga   

UWCT runs from 1-4 September in Perth

UWCT in Perth this week has BiciSport starters Sue & Graham Tierney, Dean Gale, Gio Pilu, Anthony Colantonio & Jordan Reizes

www.griffithcycleclub.com

NATIONAL MASTERS ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS - GRIFFITH

The Nationals run from 1-3 October. The courses are excellent and so too is the local hospitality. BiciSport will be strongly represented and the time to sort out your accommodation is now.  All race details can be found at www.griffithcycleclub.com

Flanders Frites

august 16 - race in temse (st niklaas)

Conor on the Temse Kermis start line with a fellow Flanders Cycles team mate.

The Verhulst family came out in force to support Conor in his last Belgian UCI kermis with the smallest peloton of just 36 starters. What the Temse kermis lacked in number it made up in quality with the strong BMC Development Team in attendance. The BMC team ripped into proceedings early on and split the peloton into 4 groups with the dominant BMC team in the 14 rider front group. It was day over for the rest as nobody could match the BMC juggernaut. Two of the BMC riders at Temse are going to the World Road Championships (Under 23) in Qatar and one took victory at the last Paris Roubaix (for Under 23). This draws the Conot flemish blog to a close & hope you enjoyed the ups and downs.            

august 15 - koppenberg Versus Van der wally

The last morning in Oudenaarde and Conor Van Der Wally is determined to hit the Koppenberg a couple of more times (as you do when you're just 18). So that now makes the Koppenberg count of Conor 6 Koppenberg 0 (rode 6 walked 0). In an attempt to bring reason to an out of control situation it was time for the red steel Rossin (circa 1985) to get lost on tiny Flemish lanes near Oudenaarde. You know where you are with steel (meaning heavy & nowhere).   

The 22% gradient of the Black Beast is back in the shadows. The road has been rebuilt three times. The first two times they used road base (gravel) between the stones but the heavy rain simply washed the gravel down the steep hill. The road then collapsed on itself and was unrideable. At the third attempt they have used a concrete base between the stones and the road is now going nowhere (except up).    

Top of the Koppenberg

On the Flemish lanes at the Eikenberg with a 1985 steel red Rossin. All that's missing is Eric Vanderaerden, Eddy Planckaert, some Pot Belge and Led Zeppelin IV.

august 14 - kokerelle

The last day at the Kokerelle B&B and a big thankyou to Kathy Sante for making our time so enjoyable. A special thankyou to our delightful neighbours in Julien & Lydie who made us feel so welcome. We look forward to returning to the village of Maarke Kerkem in March 2017 to see Tom Boonen win his last Paris Roubaix.

The extended Belgian family in Maarke Kerkem with Kathy, Julien & Lydie

August 13 - race in stekene (hulst, dutch border)

Another day another drive down the E17 Freeway from Oudenaarde towards Antwerp, this time to the small village of Stekene only 2k from the Dutch border. 

Stekene was a return to UCI level competition. Being just 2k from the Netherlands something like 40% of the peloton was Dutch in the 80 strong field. The circuit was only 6.5k per lap for 17 laps that ran beside the E40 Freeway for a time, then looped back through a small forest in a nasty crosswind. These bigger Belgie & Dutch riders are seemingly born to this type of bulldozer racing ... every corner is their idea of a hill and Stekene was full gas from the start. If you think there needs to be a hill to make bike racing super difficult then think again - racing at UCI level in Belgium is fierce. The early break of 6 riders went away (as usual) and Conor looked comfortable in the peloton. So much so it was an opportune time for the BiciSport Director Sportif to head to the "rustic" (semi tragic) Stekene pub for a beer (heck counting laps is hard work). Seven laps in and the peloton started to chase the break in earnest and Conor went from looking comfortable to "eating his handelbars" for lunch at 75k. If you needed convincing that UCI was tougher than WAOD then Stekene at a crisp 45kph average was it. Last stop is Temse next Tuesday for the final UCI level race.          

Back in the UCI at Stekene and smiles were strictly optional

Third in line on Lap 5 and looking comfortable

Stekene peloton at the 70k mark passing the Stekene pub with Conor coming into shot (on the right) 

Kokerelle B&B in Oudenaarde with Elsa (black) and Olga (white). 

august 12 - verbust, merckx, coliyn & TEMSE

A chance to catch up with Eddy Verbust and see through the Verbust Museum (acknowledged as the best private cycling museum in Belgium). Eddy then kindly arranged a tour of the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Ghent where we met Luc Coliyn (Belgian professional in the early 1980's in the Fangio Pro Team). 

Late in the day we drove down to Temse (near Antwerp) to see Koen Verhulst race in a VWB League event over 50k. The VWB League is yet anorher "league" in Belgium unrelated to either the UCI or WAOD and just adding to the seemingly endless supply of local Belgian racing.

The Verbust Museum has hundreds of posters, jerseys, medals, magazines from numerous professional road races & the Ghent Six Day track event. These posters are all personally signed by the professional riders.

In amongst the countless posters was the last Eddy Merckx track bike used by Matthew Gilmore. Sweet.

Inside the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Ghent

Eddy Merckx Velodrome with Luc Coliyn (ex Belgian professional for the Fangio Pro Team) 

Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Ghent

The Temse Kermis race in the VWB League. Koen Verhulst in the yellow fluro overshoes. Conor has his final race at the Temse Kermis UCI race next Tuesday and a good opportunity today to review the circuit.

Koen & Stijn Verhulst after the finish. Maybe a Duvel or a Vedett ?

VWB League action passing the The Falcon pub at the Temse Kermis. Typical of a Belgian kermis bike race with good crowds, good beer and pubs like The Falcon doing a roaring trade .... the sort of little Flemish pub lost in the last century (at least) where your shoes seemingly stick to the floor and a barmaid who looks like your grandmother. The Falcon had it all ...      

august 9 - wall of huy & ardenne loop

With a small gap in the racing calendar it was a chance to go down to Huy (more precisely the Mur of Huy with a maximum 26% and average of 19%) as the main objective of the day. We simply downloaded a recent major cyclosportive route onto the Garmin and followed numerous low traffic roads and climbs through the Ardenne. The Mur (Wall) of Huy was as expected (super steep) and straight up out of Huy town in 38 x 28.        

The Fleche Walloone Pro Classic passes through Huy each year and finishes on top of the famous Wall. What the TV shots never seem to show is that the Tihange nuclear power plant is barely 2k from the town centre.

Mur (Wall) of Huy with the town in the background going through turn 1 @ 26% 

Mur of Huy through turn 2 is slightly easier at 22% 

GVA won Olympic Gold and Het Nieuwsblad liked the result.

august 8 - Koppenberg count - Conor leads 4-0

Some days in pays to speak Flemish & be able to actually read a Flemish cycling website ... we drive to Meilegen for a 64k kermis race with high anticipation only to discover that the race had been cancelled !. Oops. So it was a training ride instead up the Koppenberg where Conor leads the Black Beast 4-0 (meaning 4 rides up the Koppenberg with no crashes or long walks). Conor is now using 38 x 25 in the crown of the Kberg cobbles. Tomorrow we drive to the Wall of Huy (maximum gradient of 25%) combined with a 110k loop through the Ardenne from the village of Nandrin.   

Top of the Koppenberg looking back over the cliff to the village of Melden

After the no show at Meilegen it was off to the Koppenberg (also known by local club riders as the Black Beast). The Kokerelle B&B feels (and smells) like a visit to the Royal Easter Show. Kokerelle has 2 horses, 2 pigs, a peloton of chooks, a few goats, cows, some sheep, deer (in the photo above) plus Billy the Pug dog.  

Walking up the Black Beast

august 7 - basil verhulst (Signs for Molteni Arcore)

Some 200 of the faithful Verhulst peloton joined forces (meaning they all got together with a few Duvels) to celebrate the birth of Basil Verhulst (winner of the 2040 Tour of Flanders).  The Basil party was called a "babyborrel " ... where all the relatives come to see the new baby at the one time (and not randomly visit (annoy) the parents just after the birth). So all the relatives just wait until the babyborrel to see the new baby. Most of the relatives cycled their street bikes to the function. The formal christening of Basil is done at a latter date.

Basil & Jasmine Verhulst at the babyborrel.  Basil was presented with his new Molteni Arcore pro team (baby size) jersey for the 2040 Tour of Flanders. Basil refused to comment on Molteni team salary negotiations. 

August 6 - race in kalken (GHENT)

The Kalken Kermis was on a quick circuit of 3.9k per lap with only two corners for the 77k distance. The circuit is situated just beside the E17 Freeway (to Antwerp) hidden in amongst a jungle of farmers fields growing maize & hops (for brewing beer). 

As usual the breakaway went early with 7 riders and they went out to a 25 second lead and it stayed that way for lap after lap. Finally they were caught with 5 laps to go and the winning break went away immediately. Conor Verhulst-Tarlington rode well in the peloton with good position throughout and finished 22nd from 60 starters for an excellent result. Prizemoney at Kalken was another 3 Euro plus a can of drink taking total Belgian career earnings to 9 Euro & 3 cans of drink. Maarten Verhulst is still waiting for his percentage cut of the winnings ....    

The local hops factory served as the Kalken Kermis registration area

A common sight at all Belgian kermis races - extensive police co-operation & they do a great job

The Kalken Kermis races through the maize & hops fields in relative tranquillity. The E17 Freeway to Antwerp was just 750m away.  

Conor Verhulst on lap 5 at the Kalken Kermis

Conor Verhulst on lap 10 at the Kalken Kermis

august 4 - Roubaix velodrome

The next race is on August 6 so a chance to see the Roubaix Velodrome minus the crowds and April weather. From Oudenaarde its just a 35k drive into Roubaix (maybe 45k on a bike for a 90k return ride).   

Roubaix Velodrome with the Roubaix Lille Metropole Team Car outside the team headquarters

Roubaix Velodrome on the finish line of the Paris Roubaix Classic

august 3 - Antwerp derny classic (with tom boonen) 

Every time we venture into Antwerp with Eddy & Maria Verhulst to see a bike race it seems to rain. In 2006 we saw Nico Eeckhout win a Belgian Pro Road Championship (Boonen was 3rd that year) in the pouring rain, then Robbie McEwen won the Antwerp Derny Classic in 2006 in another heavy thunderstorm. Again today the weather was simply awful with constant rain making the cobblestones in central Antwerp so slippery they were difficult to walk on let alone chase a tiny derny through greasy corners. The star attractions were Tom Boonen & Filippo Pozzato with the Derny Classic held over 3 separate heats of 30 minutes per heat (winner is on overall points). Had a good chat with Dennis Luckermans who runs the Belgian dernys and he was most helpful on the enhanced petrol mixture now being used - this will help John Crouchley (BiciSport) in restoring the seven Dunc Gray Velodrome dernys (used at the Sydney Olympics).  

www.dernyantwerpen.be

Tom Boonen takes the left hand turn across the greasy cobbles in steady rain at the Antwerp Derny Classic. The derny riders themselves are usually ex professionals with excellent bike handling skills. They also have strict dress codes as to what they can wear (obviously more is better to assist the rider for less wind resistance). To get around the dress code restrictions the "naturally bigger" the derny rider the better.  

Pozzato (in red) in the Derny peloton of 14 riders , 14 dernys & 3 spare dernys at the rear (for Derny breakdowns). The little dernys sounded great with the beer tents doing a great business despite the weather   

Tom Boonen approaches the greasy left hand corner in never ending Antwerp rain

august 1 - race in bazel (Antwerp)

Bazel was a delightful little village on the outskirts of Antwerp. The circuit was mostly single lane Flemish country lanes and only the finish straight resembled a normal road. 61 starters lined up with 3 riders getting away on lap 4 (of 11) and they stayed away. Conor rode an excellent race and held good position throughout the 75k distance. Final placing was 26th for another 3 Euro pay day and another 43kph average speed.  

Maarten Verhulst & Conor before the Bazel start

Conor passing the 'T Hoekske Pub before the Bazel finishing straight. Serves a great Westmalle Triple ...

Bell lap at Bazel with the peloton chasing the three breakaways with a 43kph average for the 75k

The Verhulst family turned up to support Conor in Bazel including Koen, Maarten and Lies Verhulst

July 30 - Mechelen post tour criterium

With nothing open in Oudenaarde it was off to a post Tour criterium in search of a café that was actually open. The Mechelen Pizza Pasta café in this shot was just that place ... all the Pizza shop owner knew about Australia was "I hear you have insects & spiders".  Thanks Eddy, nice pizza. Moving on ... the post Tour criteriums are more akin to karaoke on a bike - the break goes, then by pure magic it comes back, peloton still chatting & smiling, then another "breakaway" goes with another Tour de France hero, magic happens and it comes back (again) just in time for the local favourite to take the win. Magic happens again. The more beer you drink at these post Tour criteriums the more realistic the racing was ...    

JULY 29 - race in beveren ... Waas great

Beveren Waas is on the outskirts of Antwerp with a 6.45pm start over 75k and 11 laps. Beveren was the first start for Conor in the WAOD League. 50 riders started on a circuit that was a mixture of dual carriageway and single lane narrow Flemish lanes. The pace was brisk from the off and went to 50kph and finally settled by half way. Conor was riding well and in there comfortably to such a degree Maarten & myself had a few Duvels. Conor rode very well for an excellent 24th place (from 50 starters) and won 3 Euro plus a can of soft drink. The average speed for the 75k was a sharp 43kph.  

Maarten Verhulst & Conor at Beveren. Maarten is not only the Race Director at the Velle race on August 16 (Conor's last race) but kindly assisted with getting the WAOD licence at short notice, provided lunch and a hot shower afterwards.   

Beveren Waas peloton on lap 2

Conor passing the Beveren Waas corner pub with 250 metres to the finish

An excellent Beveren Waas peloton finish for 24th at 43kph

Conor & Maarten Verhulst after the finish discussing how to split the 3 Euro prizemoney

July 28 - BMC SERVICE COURSE + Spa Francorchamps 

Just outside Oudenaarde is the BMC Concept Store plus the BMC Pro Team Service Course. The Service Course has a glass viewing wall so it's easy to just look in at all the activity. Then it was a 2 hour drive down to Leige and the Spa Francorchamps motor racing circuit for the practice session for the Spa 24 Hours (for Le Mans style cars).      

Mercedes team car ... nice

BMC Service Course looking through the glass viewing wall. The endless rows of wheelsets are to right of this picture as is the massive mechanics lorry.    

Conor at Spa Francochamps Motor Racing Circuit in the main Paddock as Le Mans style cars leave the pits for Eau Rouge & Kemmel Straight.

JULY 27 - race in Deinze ... 46.1kph AV for 114k & 154 micro sprints

Deinze looked more like Chatswood being full of high rise apartments than a sleepy Belgian village and the car parking was more akin to Warringah Mall than some quiet country road. If you can imagine doing a bike race around Artarmon, through Lane Cove and laps of Chatswood then this was it. There was high density housing, traffic everywhere (thankfully no cars on the course itself) and a real urban style concrete jungle. Only the Belgians could attempt to run a bike race on an urban circuit like this. The 145 starters lined up for a lesson in super fast Belgian kermis racing with Deinze well known for ex pro's being on the start line to stir it all up. The race was absolutely full gas from the start and by the end of lap 1 there were 146 riders in single file and all on the utter limit. It was painful to watch. Conor's computer registered over 50kph average for the first three laps and the peloton looked like a grenade had gone off by the end of lap 4. Brutal really doesn't describe Belgian kermis racing and now its time for a change of strategy to WAOD (Division 2) level races from here on. The next race is in Beveren Waas near Antwerp on July 29 in the WAOD League.           

Deinze results in Het Niewsblad the next day with 145 starters at an average speed of 46.1kph !!! for 114k. Couple that 46.1kph with 11 corners per lap (full gas) and that amounts to 154 micro sprints plus the racing in between the micro sprints.   

Deinze Kermis is about beer, some more beer and some tough Belgian kermis racing

Deinze bookmakers betting on the Kermis races is common in Belgium

Conor (in red) at the Deinze start, passing the main kermis entertainment tent (beside the Church !)

Passing the Deinze Church just after the finish line ... prayers won't help you with a 50kph+ average speed

July 26 - roeselare POST Tour Criterium

A short drive from Oudenaarde to Roeselare in West Flanders for a post Tour criterium. The mandatory breakaway goes out to a 45 second lead (crowd doesn't even notice), then the magic catch by a peloton doing a lot of talking & smiling (crowd still too busy having a beer), Thomas De Gendt attacks (crowd finally wakes up for the local lad), Greg Van Avermatt does a bit (crowd something close to excitement as its another Belgian after all), Michael Matthews digs in (crowd impressed), the local Tour legend wins (crowd goes crazy). Happy days & where is my Duvel. Lets do it again tomorrow in Lommel on the Dutch border & St Niklaas on Friday.   

Conor at the Roeselare Criterium with Greg Van Avermatt, Michael Matthews, Thomas De Gendt & friends

Post Tour de France Criteriums are in Flanders over the next week in Aalst, Roeselare, Lommel, St Niklaas & Antwerp

JULY 25 - race in SINAAI # 2

The same course & same start venue as two days previous. The Molenhoek Kermis (or fete) was still raging and hosted 3 race days in succession to keep the locals drinking their Duvel. At the back of the massive kermis tent were local belges shooting arrows !! (with rubber noses) at a prize wall of toys (hit one and you take it home). Never seen that before & whatever rocks your boat. The aussie support group in the VerHulst family plus Sylle De Dock (ex Tulip Computers Pro Team swannie) turned up in force to support Conor.

Just 57 entrants (previously 113 two days before) lined up and again included the Belgian Elite Road Champion in Joeri Stalleart. The pace was on from the start and a break of 10 riders went away on lap 1 and 10 riders bridged across on lap 2. Conor was looking comfortable just sitting in the 37 rider peloton during laps 3 & 4. Across the rough Sinaai cobbles on lap 5 and the SRAM rear mech has a big moment and the gears just jammed. By the time it was sorted the race was long gone. Race over and a big sigh from the Conor-VerHulst fan club on the finish barriers. The next race is two days away in Deinze in East Flanders.    

Molenhoek kermis beer tent (and rider registration)

The Molenhoek Kermis in Sinaai has been going since 1912

... at the back of the kermis tent ... don't do this on Duvel

Conor with local Flandrian rider Donovan Baillieu (Team Gaverzicht)

Sinaai start line

Conor (in red) looking comfortable on Lap3 at Sinaai

Conor-VerHulst Fan Club at Sinaai (includes Adelaide jersey & koala)

JULY 23 - race in SINAAI # 1

Belgian "kermis" races are generally 120k and are run off in something like 2 hrs 45 minutes ... do the math on that and if sounds quick it feels quicker. Kermis simply means a community style fair (or fete) and the bike race is the "entertainment" and an excuse for the fete patrons to drink a barrel of belgian beer while the cyclists carve each other up. Sinaai is near St Niklaas in East Flanders and 9k per lap with 13 laps. The circuit had two stretches of cobbles. The start list numbered 113 with the current Belgian Champion and several internationals from Canada, Ireland, UK plus some Dutch domestic teams. 

Conor started in the middle of the peloton and the first lap of 9k took just 11 minutes (do the math on that !). The second lap and there was a crash which Conor avoided (rode over a fellow competitors front wheel) and chased and got back on the peloton. Nice work. Meanwhile a group of 20 had escaped and formed the breakaway of the day. Conor was looking comfortable through laps 3 & 4 (as much as you can averaging 45kph) and preparations were made for MO'R to hit the Belgian beer tent. Unfortunately another crash on the cobbles during lap 5 split the peloton. Conor wasn't directly involved but was delayed enough to end his day. Overall a pleasing start with the next race planned for Monday July 25 again near St Niklaas. Dinner was celebrated in Antwerp with Frans Ver Hulst who turned 90. The Ver Hulst family have been great supporters of BiciSport cyclists in Belgium over many years.        

Sinaai start line was a crowded affair with 113 starters including the current Belgian Road Champion

Sinaai at the end of Lap 1 and the peloton was already full gas

Sinaai race school ... avoided two crashes, smashed over two stretches of filthy Belgian cobbles each lap.   

Frans Ver Hulst celebrates turning 90 in Antwerp. The Ver Hulst family have generously supported several BiciSport riders over the years to race in Belgium.   

JULY 21 ... A NEw DAY A NEW TEAM & JERSEY

Conor met with the ASFRA Racing Team principal Luc Assez at Flanders Cycles in Oudenaarde. Luc presented Conor with his new ASFRA Flanders Cycles team kit. ASFRA sponsor a range of teams from Under 15 up to the semi professional level.

Conor with Luc Assez of ASFRA- Flanders Cycles Racing Team in Oudenaarde  

JULY 20 ... Its a BERG-FEST

First training ride over 35k in 30 degree heat and its a 5k warm up along the Kluisbergen Railtrail to Melden with the first stop being the Koppenberg (heck, why not ?), then it was off to the Old Kwaremont climb and a photo opportunity at the Karel Van Wijndeale Monument (creator of the Tour of Flanders Classic). Barely had time to say "where is my Duvel beer" and we climbed the 22% Patersberg (Patersberg never looked this hard on EuroSport). Final berg of the day came shortly afterwards at the Kortekeer climb plus a brief crossing of the Etikove cobbles.   

Koppenberg and the only way is up ...

Approaching the Koppenberg ... under the trees the gradient is 22% and Conor used 38 x 28. 

Karel Van Wijndeale Monument at the top of the Old Kwaremont climb (note every winner has a cobble)  

 

Kokerelle & Oudenaarde

Conor Tarlington & Mike O'Reilly arrived 19 July and settled into "home" for the next month of racing in Belgium. The Kokerelle B&B (www.kokerelle.be) is in the small village of Maarke Kerkem just 4k from Oudenaarde. The Kokerelle B&B sits just beside the Eikenberg cobbled climb used in the Tour of Flanders and only 5k from any number of famous cobbled climbs also used in the Flanders classic. The Koppenberg is just 8k away and the Old Kwaremont maybe 10k and if you're really keen the Roubaix Velodrome is a 75k round trip on the Schelde River bike path.

Belgian Racing Guide

An excellent Belgian racing guide can be found at www.thechainstay.com in the Belgian Racing Guide section. This website has numerous handy insights into how and when the racing scene operates in Flanders.

Kokerelle B&B gardens in Maarke Kerkem near the Eikenberg (photo taken 20 July 16)

Nowra Team Time Championships Report - 18 July

BICISPORT ENTER 8 TEAMS & TAKE 2 BRONZE MEDALS

A well organised TTT Championship was greeted with the best weather in memory with something of a tailwind out to the Sassafras u turn and a harder ride back to the Nowra Airport finish. The biggest BiciSport entry list ever for a Nowra TTT was supported by numerous managers on the day, followed by a dinner at the Greenwell Point Café on the Saturday night and a 50k club ride to Culburra Beach on the Sunday morning. Special thanks to those who assisted the 8 Bici teams in Cleo Higgins, Katie Brown, Alex Simmons, John Crouchley, Graham Tierney, Marty Wright, Noel La Rose & Peter Davis.

Sassafras Challenge - (7th from 9 teams) David Browne, Martin Wright, Brad Mills, Graham Tierney in 1hr 8mins (winner 56 min)  

Women Masters All Ages - (5th from 11 teams) Cecile Beams, Frances Edwards, Penny Kee, Kylie Mildren in 1hr 9min (winner 1-06) 

Women Masters 140+ - (Bronze from 8 teams) Lise Benjamin, Ruth Strapp, Kirsty Flanagan, Sue Tierney in 1hr 6min (winner 1-05)  

Men Masters 180+ - (Bronze from 7 teams) Ian Grainger, Mike Lawson, Raoul Westbrook, Peter Verhoeven in 1hr 3min (fastest 58min) 

Men Masters 150+ - (8th from 24 teams) Roy Edwards, Ben Mildren, Len Groen in 1hr, (10th from 24 teams) Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo, Anthony Colantonio, James Thornton in 1hr 1min (fastest 55min)

Men Masters All Ages - (14th from 41 teams) Stewart Campbell, Ian Cocks, Tom Green, Mike O'Brien in 56min (28th from 41 teams) Paul Curgenven, Mark Walsh, Colin Edwards in 1hr 3min (fasters 50min)

Sassafras Road Race (Sunday) - Ian Cocks finished 9th in Division 2 over 70k     

Ruth Strapp and Kirsty Flanagan

Sue Tierney, Kirsty Flanagan, Ruth Strapp, Lise Benjamin

Kylie Mildren, Cecile Beams, Penny Kee, Frances Edwards

Brad Mills, David Browne, Marty Wright

Mike Lawson, Raoul Westbrook, Peter Verhoeven, Ian Grainger

Ben Mildren, Roy Edwards, Len Groen

Colin Edmonds, Mark Walsh, Paul Curgenven

Mike O'Brien, Tom Green, Ian Cocks, Stewart Campbell

News Shorts - 18 July

BiciSport Bronze 140+ - Ruth Strapp, Sue Tierney, Kirsty Flanagan, Lise Benjamin

BiciSport Bronze 180+ - Ian Grainger, Raoul Westbrook, Mike Lawson, Peter Verhoeven

BICISPORT NOWRA TTT CHAMPIONSHIPS

BiciSport entered 8 teams with two medal results - Bronze in both the Masters Women 140+ and the Masters 180+. Full report when final results posted.

RACING THIS WEEK

**  July 22 - RAW Track (DGV)

**  July 23 - ATEC Criteriums (Homebush SOPA)

**  July 23-24 - Hunter Junior Tour (Newcastle)

**  July 20-24 - Tour of Gippsland (Vic)

**  July 23 - Calga (Central Coast CC)

**  July 24 - Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters) 

BiciSport Training Rides this week

**  July 21 - Centennial Park at 11am (Lower Loops)

**  July 23 - Meadowbank Bridge at 7.30am (SOPA Loops), Piemonte Café for coffee at 9.30am

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

**   Mike Cori has been getting his pic taken on the top of any and every French col he can find. 

**  Recovery Ward report this week with Andy Feltham having a big offy at the Cottage Point intersection on the Akuna Bay descent (cracked hip), David Roggierro (Harlequin Wheelmen) had a major confrontation with a Jeep on Sunday morning at Wyong Rd Duffys Forest (several broken bones and the Orbea bike a write off), and Bob Green still fighting the fight. Speedy recovery to all.

**  Conor Tarlington (and Mike O'Reilly) head off to Belgium on 18 July with a Belgian blog to be posted on the daily racing experiences towards the end of this week

Mike Cori on the Col de Galibier

.... mandatory Mount Ventoux pic ....

Poor David Roggierro got more than he bargained for at Duffys Forest on Sunday morning