News Shorts - 16 October

Mike Smith (BiciSport Master) took the Gold medal in the Teams Sprint and the Bronze medal in the individual Sprint at the World Masters Track Championships in Los Angeles 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS - MIKE SMITH TAKES GOLD & BRONZE

*  World Masters Track Championships @ Los Angeles @ 8-15 October - Congratulations to Mike Smith (45-49 category) who took the Gold Medal in the Team Sprint (in 48.5secs) then the Bronze medal in the Sprint, followed by 10th in the 750m time trial in 51.675secs. Anthony Colantonio (50-59 category) qualified 6th in the 3000m Teams Pursuit, then finished second in the Points race heat (for eventually 15th in the Points final). Congratulations to both Mike & Anthony on a job well done.  

*  NSW Sprint Grand Prix @ DGV @ 14 October - Damien Bottero featured at the Sprint GP Round 1 and looks forward to s successful track season 

*  Spring Cycle Criteriums @ 15 October - Report to come

RACING THIS WEEK

*  17 October - Heffron Park Criteriums

*  18-22 October - Tour of Gippsland (NRS - a Criterium Series ? They can't be serious ! )

*  20 October - Waratah Park Criteriums (Sutherland)

*  21 October - Judgement Day Criteriums (Eastern Creek Raceway) 

*  22 October - Bowral Classic Cyclosportive, West Head Road Race (Manly CC), Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters)  

*  21-22 October - Wagga Track Open

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  For details on BiciSport training rides contact 0417 403 244

*  16 October - Piemonte Cafe (coffee only) @ 10.30am

*  18 October - DGV Track Training - resumes with John Crouchley in early November

*  19 October - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ 10am @ Spruce Goose Cafe Centennial Park

*  21 October - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Cafe (coffee only) @ 9.30am

DGR starts from the Spruce Goose Cafe every Thursday in Centennial Park @ 10.00am until 11.00am

         Bernard Thevenet rides to victory through the French Alps in the 1975 Tour de France

News Shorts - 9 October

Damien Bottero (BiciSport) will be a starter at the NSW Sprint Grand Prix Round 1 at DGV this coming weekend. 

                                                    Results at www.mastersworldsla.com

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Great Divide Open @ Gunning @ 7-8 October - Division 1 - Conor Tarlington finished 29th @ peloton finish. Peter Livingstone DNF. Division 2 - Lachlan Haughey punctured in the car park and was a DNS. Division 3 - Jordan Reizes took a great win. Matt Coy 33rd & Simon Lempriere 35th (both a peloton finish). Simon featured in the break of the day which at one point had a 3 minute lead and only caught near the finish. 

*  Heffron Park Criteriums @ 3 October - Rolly Delaytz took an excellent win 

*  World Masters Track Cycling Championships @ Los Angeles @ 8-15 October - Follow the results of Mick Smith & Anthony Colantonio at www.mastersworldsla.com

*  Peugeot 504 featured on Ride Media - Ride Media has again featured the Herve 404 & Bernard 504 retro car story at www.ridemedia.com.au 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  8-15 October - World Masters Track Cycling World Championships (Los Angeles)

*  10 October - Heffron Park Criteriums

*  13 October - Waratah Park Criteriums (Sutherland) 

*  14 October - Melbourne to Warnambool Classic (NRS, Vic), NSW Sprint Grand Prix # 1 (DGV)

*  15 October - Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney CC), Spring Cycle Criteriums (Homebush), Spring Cycle Cyclosportive (Homebush), CyclingNSW Presidents Forum (Canada Bay, Sydney), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Ourimbah University Criteriums (Central Coast)

Felice Gimondi 17 - A delightful retro feature of an Italian legend at a recent Gran Fondo in Italy. The legend, the jersey, the bike, the retro team car from that era. Where is the coffee ? 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  9 October - NSW School Term starts so traffic congestion is back !!!!

*  11 October - DGV Track Training @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  12 October - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ 10am @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe

*  14 October - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Cafe Terrey Hills (coffee only) @ 9.30am 

*  15 October - Ku Ring Gai Chase Loops (cnr Myall Rd & Ku Ring Gai Chase Rd) @ 9.00am  

VALE DICK PARIS

*  Another week passes as does another great Australian cycling icon in Dick Paris (St George CC). Dick's career was very much sourced in the 1970's when the NSW and National Road Championships used the Centennial Park circuit on a regular basis. He had a lethal road sprint and if the race ever came down to a 'bunch kick' then he was a sure fire bet to take the victory. Talented on both the road and the Velodrome, Dick won several National Elite Track Championships to add to his National Elite Road Championship victory plus selection to the Commonwealth Games in 1974 with another Gold medal in the track 1000m TT.  RIP Dick.      

HIGHLAND FLING ... ITS A FINAL WRAP

The MTB Highland Fling has its final (yes, final !) romp through the Bundanoon region over 11-12 November

News Shorts - 2 October

Italy 17 - BiciSport Master Gladiators (Joc Young, Ian Grainger & Karl Hoad) made it into Milan with a Police escort no less (maybe they were being arrested and didn't know it ?). The charity ride was from Sicily to Milan over 20 days.     

Stelvio 17 - Ian Grainger pictured near frozen on the Stelvio Pass some 8k from the summit. The ride was from Tirano up the valley to Bormio then the Stelvio Pass itself. Conditions were freezing at the summit (at just 1 degree) 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Mick Chapman Memorial @ Kurri Kurri @ 30 September - Lachlan Haughey featured in Division 2 until a puncture ruined his day.

*  UCI World Masters Track Championships @ Los Angeles - Mike Smith & Anthony Colantonio compete in Los Angeles from next week.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  2 October - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

*  3 October - Heffron Park Criteriums (Eastern Suburbs)

*  6 October - Waratah Park Criteriums (Sutherland)

*  7 October - Tour of the Midlands (Vic)

*  7-8 October - Great Divide Open (Gunning NSW)

*  8 October - Western Sydney Dragway (Waratah Masters), Calga ITT (ATTA), Ourimbah University Criteriums (Central Coast)

*  8-15 October - UCI 2017 Masters Track Cycling World Championships (Los Angeles, USA)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

*  SMS 0417 403 244 if you want details on training rides below

*  2 October - Cromer Laps @ 7.30am-8.30am (Inman Rd, Middleton Rd, South Creek Rd)

*  4 October - Aerocoach Test Session DGV @ 10.00am @ Alex Simmons-Mike Lawson.

*  5 October - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ 10am @ Centennial Park 

*  7 October - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Cafe (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  8 October - Beaumont Rd Laps Mt Ku Ring Gai @ 9.00am-10.00am

Bowral Classic entries close soon, so don't miss out.

News Shorts - 25 September

Italy 17 - Ian Grainger, Karl Hoad & Jock Young (BiciSport Masters) are riding the 2,000k from Sicily to Milan on a charity ride in aid of the Duchenne 'Parent Project'. Duchenne is a type of muscular dystrophy. Dino Ferrari (son of Enzo) died from Duchenne disease. The ride is assisting to raise both awareness and funds. The team is pictured in Chiusu (central Italy). After Milan they head to Bormio and the Stelvio and Mortoriolo

Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters) on 24 September - Tom Green (BiciSport) took a fine win in a 2 man breakaway.

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Battle Recharge NRS Tour @ 22-25 September. A healthy 91 starters faced the gun for the Mens NRS Tour with a paltry 39 starters in the Womens event. Peter Livingstone (BiciSport) lined up with the Mobius team. Stage 1 Team ITT - Isowhey dominated with Mobius 2nd @ 1min15secs. Stage 2 Criterium - Peter 24th @ 10 secs. Stage 4 RR - Peter 5th @ 7min 5secs (6th on GC).  Stage 5 RR - Peter 14th @ 2min 32secs. Final General Classification 9th @ 7min 58secs.

VALE BRETT DENNIS

(by Mike O'R). Very saddened to learn of the recent passing of Brett Dennis in WA. Brett was an outstanding cyclist and represented Australia on the road on many occasions in the mid 1990's. I had the absolute pleasure of managing Brett at the 1997 Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic as a integral part of the Commonwealth Cash Management Trust team. They were a great team of motivated individuals and Brett Dennis was central to the CCMT success during that Bank Classic. RIP Brett.  

                                         Brett Dennis

RACING THIS WEEK

*  30 September - Chapman Memorial (Kurri Kurri, NSW)

*  1 October - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Calga ITT (ATTA)

*  2-7 October - Orana Challenge Cyclosportive (Dubbo to Mudgee)  

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Lower motor traffic this week as NSW Schools are on holidays

*  27 September - M7 Bikepath @ 70k @ 10.00am @ Bella Vista, and DGV Track Training @ DGV 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  28 September - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ Centennial Park @ 10am

*  30 September - Meadowbank Bridge 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) from 9.30am

*  1 October - Beaumont Rd training laps from 9.30am-11.00am

News Shorts - 18 September

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  RAW @ 15 September @ DGV - David Browne, Graham & Stephanie Cockerton have featured for most of RAW 17. The final winter RAW round was held on 15 September and David Browne finished 3rd in Division 2 with Graham Cockerton 7th. BiciSport finished 9th (from 34 clubs) in the RAW series Club Pointscore.

*  NSW State Handicapping News - Robyn Sprouster (State Handicapper-BiciSport) is now working on the ACT State Handicaps for the 2018 road season. This will greatly improve the consistency of ACT handicaps (in NSW road races)  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  23-24 September - ACT National Capital Tour

*  23-25 September - Battle of the Border Recharge (NSW-Qld border)

*  24 September - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters), Sunbury Road Race (Vic, VRS)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  20 September - M7 Bikepath @ 70k @ 10.00am @ Bella Vista, and DGV Track Training @ DGV 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  21 September - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ Centennial Park @ 11am

*  22 September - NSW School Term ends ... traffic lighter next week

*  23 September - Meadowbank Bridge 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) from 9.30am

*  23 September - Beaumont Rd training laps from 9.00am-10.30am

BEAUMONT ROAD RECOVERY RIDE

Bob Green (BiciSport Master) in centre of shot returned to Beaumont Road Mt Ku Ring Gai for his first ride in a few years courtesy of "an interesting period of active discussion with his local doctor on not just a few health issues". Bob met up with Daniel Vanchop (left) from Northern Sydney CC.  The picture above is very much greetings to Eddy, Maria & Maarten Verhulst in Belgium.  The next 'post op' Beaumont Rd training ride is Sunday 24 September from 9.30am-11.00am.

BEEN A GOOD WEEK - BOWRAL CLASSIC 2016 WINs TOURISM AWARDS

*  The Bowral Classic 2016 picked up two prestigious tourism awards at the Australian Event Awards on 9 September in Brisbane - being 'Best New Event' and 'Best Community Event'. Congratulations to all those who contributed to this success including several BiciSport volunteers - Alex Simmons, Peter Davis, John Crouchley & Robyn Sprouster. The next Bowral Classic is set for 22 October 2017.

BEEN A BAD WEEK

(Written by MO'R) - Recently had a long discussion with Rob Arnold (of Ride Magazine fame) on the current state of play. To say Rob was far from happy would be an understatement. On top of that received an interesting email the other day on membership fees - where it was openly admitted in the email that 'Australia wide racing membership continues to decline'. Decline ? What the ... ?. It was odd to read such a chilling statement and more than telling as the conventional wisdom over the last seven years has been two pronged, namely ... 1. more overall membership equals more revenue and 2. cyclo-sportives are 'the' growth segment for selling yet more memberships (meaning yet more of that important revenue).  With Australia wide membership now 'going off' and the cyclo-sportive strategy 'crowded out' by private promoters who now dominate this cyclo space then it begs the question as to where to from here ?. If that sounds like the mother of all budgetary storms then you could be right ... look no further than the recent World Championship team selection fiasco where team spots went unfilled. Domestically things could not be more painful with the flagship NRS (Not Really Special nor Sustainable) now in serious decline with numerous races cancelled (and other stage races transformed into a criterium series !!). Maybe its all fake news but ye suspect not. Forget all the marketing bling for early next year with the taxpayer funded Gold Coast medal-feast ... 2018 is set to be a super tough year on the domestic racing scene.        

News Shorts - 11 September

Wall 17 - Jordan Reizes (BiciSport Pilu)

Wall 17 - Mike Foster (BiciSport Pilu)

Wall 17 - Matt Coy, Dean Gale & Richard Bjorkman (BiciSport Pilu)

Wall 17 - Ian Cocks (BiciSport Pilu)

Wall 17 - Conor Tarlington (BiciSport Rauland)

Wall 17 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius)

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Wall Handicap @ 10 September @ West Head - A solid BiciSport contingent lined up for the annual Wall Handicap over five laps of the West Head circuit. Peter Livingstone took fastest time.  

*  NSW State Handicapper Appointment - Robyn Sprouster (BiciSport) has been appointed the NSW State Handicapper for the next two years.

*  Caravello Peloton from Sicily to Milan - Ian Grainger & Joc Young (BiciSport Masters) are currently with the Caravello peloton doing 80k-120k per day from Sicily to Milan. Report to follow.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  16 September - Calga Road Race (Central Coast CC)

*  16-17 September - Otway Tour (Vic, NRS)

*  17 September - Amy's Otway Classic Cyclosportive (Vic), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Mt Ku Ring Gai (Northern Sydney CC)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  12 September - Centennial Park @ 10.00am. Contact Mike O'Reilly 0417 403 244

*  13 September - M7 Cyclepath over 70k @ Bella Vista @ 10am Contact Mike O'Reilly 0417 403 244

*  13 September - DGV Track Training @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  14 September - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park @ 11am

*  16 September - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

Tour de Bello 17 - Lachlan Haughey & Stewart Campbell on the final day of the Tour De Bello at the Bonville Golf Course near Coffs Harbour

News Shorts - 4 September

MTBA National Cyclo Cross Series - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Master) takes the Masters M8 category series  

Tour de Bello 17 - Stewart & Mirelle Campbell at the bottom of the Dorrigo Mountain near Bellingen

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  National Cyclo Cross Series @ Melbourne @ 26-27 August - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Master) took two victories at the National CX Series over 26-27 August and accordingly took the National Series award for Masters M8 (4 wins from 4 starts)

*  ATTA @ Calga @ 3 September - Kirsty Flanagan finished 28th from 40 starters in 45min 43seconds

*  UCI World Masters Track Championships www.worldmastersla.com @ Los Angeles @ 8-15 October - Mick Smith (BiciSport Master) is attending the LA Championships in search of another Rainbow Jersey in the Sprint category.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  5-10 September - UCI World MTB Championships (Cairns, Qld)

*  9 September - Calga Road Race (Central Coast)

*  10 September - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), West Head Handicap (Manly)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  6 September - DGV Training @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  7 September - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ Centennial Park @ 11am

*  9 September - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) from 9.30am

Thursday in Centennial Park from 11am until 12.15pm. All welcome

TOUR DE BELLO - 31 AUGUST to 3 SEPTEMBER   

*  A good sized peloton lined up for the inaugural Tour de Bello training camp hosted by Alex Simmons at Bellingen. The 4 day camp enjoyed the cycling freedom & excitement that comes from a major freeway development that renders the old highway system a totally new cycling adventure.    

Tour de Bello 17

Flanders 17 - After a puncture in Belgium .... as you are chasing back to the peloton sitting too close to the Flanders team car does have its challenges

News Shorts - 28 August

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  UCI Gran Fondo World Championships @ 25-27 August - Race results for Anthony Colantonio, Graham & Brett Cocks can be found at www.albi2017cycling.eu . Anthony was classified 135th (from 234 finishers) and Graham classified 86th (from 94 finishers). 

*  RAW Track @ 25 August - David Browne twice went podium

RACING THIS WEEK

*  3 September - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Calga ITT (ATTA)

*  5-10 September - UCI World MTB Championships (Cairns, Qld)

ROAD SAFETY ALERT - COWAN to HAWKESBURY BRIDGE

*  The stretch of the Old Pacific Highway from Cowan to the Hawkesbury River Bridge has been a safety concern for several years due to motor bikes speeding in both directions near Pie in the Sky Café at the top of the Hawkesbury Climb. If you cycling in that region its best to be off the Old Pacific Highway after 8.30am in the morning (especially on a Sunday).   

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

*  30 August - DGV Track Training @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  2 September - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  31 August-3 September - Tour De Bello Training Camp with Alex Simmons. 12 cyclists have taken up the inaugural Tour de Bello challenge with a ride report to be posted next week.

UCI Grand Fondo World Championships 17 in Albi France - Anthony Colantonio (BiciSport Master) teamed up with Peter Budd (Griffith CC) at the Albi Cathedral

Flanders 17 - Stage 2 of the Tour of Easr Flanders on 17 August at Adegem near the Ursel Air Force Base and the weather is total rubbish ... its cold, its wet & thoroughly miserable and the urban landscape is equally bleak. Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) is doing another cracker of a ride and 50k into the stage its time for another long walk to the Feeding Zone to assist Peter each lap. Then out of the gloom comes none other than 1970's Belgian cycling legend Michel Pollentier (above) and after a long chat Michel is up for a selfie. Michel won the Tour of Italy in 1977, the Tour of Flanders in 1980 and achieved the podium twice in the Tour of Spain. The 1978 Tour de France was another story altogether.     

Michel Pollentier won the 1977 Tour of Italy

News Shorts - 21 August

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 2 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) after 150k of racing full gas along tiny Flemish laneways in a peloton of 160 riders. The tough stage was run off in wet, dangerous & greasy conditions with numerous crashes. The Tour of East Flanders concluded on 20 August. The complete Flanders 17 diary featuring all of Peter's Belgian races is a scroll down to just below the News Shorts 17 July weekly update.  

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 3 - Peter (3rd in line) approaching the Beveren cobbles near Hassdonk

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Flanders 17 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) has concluded the Flemish escapade with the Tour of East Flanders finishing on 20 August. East Flanders results & pictures further below in the Flanders 17 diary. 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  25 August - RAW Track @ DGV

*  25-27 August - UCI World Masters Gran Fondo Championships (Albi, France) at www.albi2017cycling.eu  with BiciSport riders Anthony Colantonio, Brett Cocks & Graham Cocks

*  25-27 August - Tour of King Valley (Wangaratta Vic, NRS)

*  26 August - Sam Miranda Gran Fondo (Wangaratta Vic)

*  27 August - Heffron Park (Waratah Masters), Calga Caltex 100 Handicap (Central Coast) 

ROAD SAFETY ALERT - COWAN to HAWKESBURY BRIDGE

*  The stretch of the Old Pacific Highway from Cowan to the Hawkesbury River Bridge has been a safety concern for several years due to motor bikes speeding in both directions near Pie in the Sky Café at the top of the Hawkesbury Climb. If you cycling in that region its best to be off the Old Pacific Highway after 8.30am in the morning (especially on a Sunday).   

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  23 August - DGV @ 3pm @ John Crouchley.

*  26 August - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

Tourmalet 17 - Anthony Colantonio (BiciSport Master) en route to UCI UWCT Road Championships in Albi France took a diversion through the French Pyrenees.

D'Aubisque 17 - Anthony Colantonio having already climbed the Col du Tourmalet then the Col D'Aubisque was next on the bucket list

ROESELARE CYCLING MUSEUM - CYCLING IS a RELIGION

*  There are two famous cycling museums in Flanders - the Tour of Flanders Museum in Oudenaarde and the somewhat lesser known Roeselare Cycling Museum. Both offer an outstanding collection of cycling history on display. The current Roeselare museum is being rebuilt (to reopen in March 2018) and a temporary display is now open to view at the Roeselare Tourism Office which is itself located within the (disused) Fathers Church. The theme "Cycling is a Religion" (http://www.koersisareligie.be or www.wielermuseum.be) appeared somewhat odd when placed in the context of the lovely Fathers Church, but each to their own. It was certainly worth the visit.    

Roeselare Cycling Museum 17 - The main display featured numerous historical bikes & jerseys

Roeselare Cycling Museum 17 - the Eddy Merckx display featured his 1978 racing bike in the C&A professional team colours. The items on display in the Fathers Church are only a small portion of what will be on display at the new museum when it opens in March 2018. The Dwars Vlaanderen (Across Flanders) professional race will start in April 2018 from outside the new Roeselare museum.  

News Shorts - 14 August

MTBA National Masters Cyclo Cross Championships 17 - Mike Lawson (BiciSport) took the Masters M8 Gold medal

Rumbeke 17 - A nice shot of Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) attacking off the front of the Rumbeke Kermesse peloton on 7 August. Peter went on to finish 7th. The daily Flanders 17 racing diary can be found in the News Section below. The Flanders 17 diary concludes 20 August with the Tour of East Flanders for Under 23 riders from 16-20 August. 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  MTBA National Cyclo Cross Championships - Mike Lawson took Gold in the Masters 8 category in Adelaide. Congratulations Mike. 

*  RAW Track @ DGV @ 11 August - David Browne took a grade win

*  UCI World Masters Road @ Albi France from 25-28 August - Best wishes to the BiciSport Masters at Albi ... Anthony Colantonio, Brett & Graham Cocks

*  Recovery Ward - Lise Benjamin is soon to resume training after her 'off'' at Landsowne Park (broken ribs), Len Groen is back on the bike after his major 'off'', and Mike O'Reilly has resumed riding around Flanders after his stent operation. 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  18 August - RAW Track @ DGV

*  19-20 August - Cootamundra Weekend

*  19 August - Calga Road Race (Central Coast) 

*  20 August - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney) 

*  16-20 August - Tour of East Flanders (Belgium). Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) winds up his Flemish season with five race days at the Tour of East Flanders.  

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  16 August - DGV Track training @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  19 August - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

RAW Track 17 @ DGV - David Browne (BiciSport)

RAW Track 17 @ DGV - David Browne & Graham Cockerton (BiciSport) lead the RAW peloton

Beveren 17 on 12 August - The Belgian fan club for Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) watching from the comfort of their garage near the Beveren finishing line. The cycling bookmakers were in attendance and had Peter on the betting sheet at 26.7 - meaning 26 to 1 for a win & 7 to 1 for a podium. Mikey Van der Stent placed a hefty 5 euros of the team budget on Peter for a podium place with 21st the end result. The Flanders 17 diary (see below) concludes 20 August.  

TOUR DE BELLO

News Shorts - 7 August

Flanders 17 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport-Mobius light blue jersey in centre of shot) heads for the Jupiler beer tent (as you do) on the bell lap at the Oostkamp kermesse over 100k run off at a brisk 45+kph.  

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Flanders 17 - Catch this weeks update on Peter Livingstone below in the Flanders 17 report. Peter has just finished a block of 4 kermesse races in 5 days - finishing with 12th at the hilly Overijse Kermesse just outside Brussels on 5 August. The last race of the Belgian sojourn will be the Tour of East Flanders for Under 23 riders from 16-19 August finishing in the local village of Maarke Kerkem (just 200m from the Kokerelle B&B).  

*  RAW Track @ DGV @ 4 August - David Browne took three 'top 3' placings at RAW

*  Coffs Harbour Cyclo Sportive @ 6 August - Alex Simmons competed the 60k option to Urunga and return   

RACING THIS WEEK

*  11 August - RAW Track @ DGV

*  13 August - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), West Head (Manly)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  9 August - DGV @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  12 August - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

FLANDERS 17 WITH PETER LIVINGSTONE

Flanders 17 - So you think the CyclingNSW State handicappers have it tough ... try being one of three bookmakers taking bets at the Oostkamp kermesse with 112 starters. The minimum bet is 5 Euro and the numbers on the right of each rider's name denotes the win-place betting odds - 25.6 means odds of 25 to 1 for the win and 6 to 1 for a podium.  Not every rider who starts is listed on the betting sheet (being Flemish helps). Don't you think these bookmakers take a real keen interest as to who gets in the winning break with 4 laps to go. 

News Shorts - 31 July

TOUR DE BELLO

Tour de Bello reservations close at the end of July, so don't miss out on your spot. This is a fantastic 4 day training camp in the Coffs Harbour region hosted by Alex Simmons (BiciSport). 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Tour of Flemish Brabant @ 26-30 July - Peter Livingstone's results at the recent Tour of Flemish Brabant near Brussels are posted below in the Flanders 17 update. It was a gruelling 5 days of crosswinds, rain, cobbles and more crosswinds.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  4 August - RAW Track @ DGV

*  5 August - Victorian ITT Series (Wangaratta, Vic)

*  6 August - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters), Calga ITT (ATTA), Coffs Harbour Cyclosportive Challenge

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  2 August - DGV @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  5 August - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

FLANDERS 17 WITH PETER LIVINGSTONE

Brabant 17 - Peter Livingstone had the full support of the ASFRA-Flanders Cycles management team of John (mechanic), Dino (soigneur) and Patrick (Sports Director). The ASFRA team won both the Sprint & KOM jersey at the Tour of the Flemish Brabant.

Brabant 17 - the ASFRA - Flanders Cycles team stayed at an old Franciscan Monk monastery near Leuven (built 1948 last used 1994 as a full monastery). The monastery now offers budget accommodation for tourists, sporting & business groups. Go to www.laforesta.be for a look at a unique accommodation offering. 

News Shorts - 24 July

TOUR DE BELLO

Tour de Bello reservations close at the end of July, so don't miss out on your spot. This is a fantastic 4 day training camp in the Coffs Harbour region hosted by Alex Simmons (BiciSport). 

Women's Rapha 100 @ Wollombi @ 23 July - Kirsty Flanagan & Ruth Strapp took part representing BiciSport  

Women's Rapha 100 - Kirsty Flanagan outside Wollombi

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  RAW Track @ 21 July - Good results by Graham Cockerton, David Browne & Stephanie Cockerton

*  Derny Restoration Project - John Crouchley recently track tested the rebuilt 4 stoke engined derny at DGV. The test was successful save for the need to now lower the derny gearing for the steep DGV banking. 

*  BiciSport in Flanders - Peter Livingstone continues his racing secondment with the ASFRA Racing Team. Peter gained selection to the ASFRA Interclub team after good results (9th) at the Landskouter kermesse on 23 July. The updated racing blog is in this News section below. 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  28 July - RAW Track @ DGV

*  25-29 July - Melbourne Cup on Wheels (DISC Velodrome, Melbourne)

*  26-30 July - Tour of the Great South Coast (NRS - Warnambool)

*  30 July - Wagga to Albury Handicap (Tolland CC), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

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

*  No DGV Track training with John Crouchley until early August

FLANDERS 17 WITH PETER LIVINGSTONE

Roubaix 17 - For Peter Livingstone conditions were wet & greasy for a visit to the Roubaix Velodrome in between Belgian kermesse racing with ASFRA.

News Shorts - 17 July

TOUR DE BELLO

Tour de Bello reservations close at the end of July, so don't miss out on your spot. This is a fantastic 4 day training camp in the Coffs Harbour region hosted by Alex Simmons (BiciSport). 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  BiciSport in Flanders - Peter Livingstone continues his racing secondment with the ASFRA Racing Team. The updated racing blog is in this News section below. 

*  Cervelo Masters Series @ Western Sydney Dragway @ 15 July - Division 1 - Matt Coy finished 6th. Division 2 - Anthony Colantonio also finished 6th

Cervelo Masters 17 - Anthony Colantonio on the Division 2 podium for 6th

RACING THIS WEEK

*  21 July - RAW Track @ DGV

*  22 July - Victorian ITT Series (Leongatha), Calga Handicap (Central Coast)

*  23 July - Heffron Park (Waratah Masters), Ken Dinnerville Handicap (Illawarra). At the upcoming Dinnerville at Dapto best wishes to BiciSport starters Jeremy Hopson, Conor Tarlington, Stewart Campbell, Raoul Westbrook, Matt Coy, Dean Gale, Mike Forster, Simon Lempriere & James Thornton

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  22 July - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

FLANDERS 17 WITH PETER LIVINGSTONE

Diksmuide 17 - Koen Verhulst, Peter Livingstone & Lies Verhulst before the Diksmuide Kermesse. The Verhulst family have actively supported several BiciSport riders in Flanders over the years. 

Flanders 17 with Peter Livingstone

Tour of East Flanders 17 - Peter Livingstone & Oskari Vainionpaa (Finland) after the Stage 2 finish in Adegem.   

FLANDERS 17 DIARY

*  16-20 August - Tour of East Flanders (Ronde van Oost Vlaanderen)  www.rvov.be 

The lasr race for Flanders 17.  The Tour of East Flanders is for Under 23 only Belgian registered teams with 180 starters and 27 teams. The ASFRA-Flanders team started with seven riders but only three remained for Stage 3 - Peter Livingstone (Australia), Oskari Vainionpaa (Finland), Mathias Overberghe (Belgium), Marc Heaney (Ireland), Dylan Vercruysse (Belgium), Casper De Witte (Belgium) & Jack English (United Kingdom). Stage 4 started/finished just 300m from the Kokerelle B&B in Maarkedal   

Stage 5 - 20 August (Herzele - Zottegem) 155k - 124 starters - The final stage included one (large) single lap around Geraadsbergen with several local laps at Herzele. 40 riders were not classified as finishing and that included Peter. Oskari was the only classified Flanders team RVOV 17 finisher.  

Stage 4 - 19 August (Kokerelle - Oudenaarde) 156k - 139 starters @ 41kph  

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 4 - Something of a 'Queen' stage of this Tour being based in the heart of Tour of Flanders pro classic country. The 156k circuit had three bigger laps followed by three smaller laps that included climbing the Taainberg three times albeit by an (alternative) steep concrete laneway. Peter survived two punctures and a road blockage caused by a major crash on the Steenbeekdries cobbles involving 10 riders. Considering the challenges on the day Peter (pictured above coming off the Taainberg with 20k to the finish) again performed well to finish just 35 seconds behind the stage winner on what was another tough day.    

Stage 3 - 18 August (Hassdonk - Antwerp) 155k - 144 starters @ 43kph

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 3 - The Lotto Soudal U23 team continued to dominant the East Flanders Tour and went 1-2 today in a 19 rider breakaway just 21 seconds off the front of the peloton. The stage was five (large) laps that included the nasty Beveren cobbles (1.3k in length) each lap. Peter (above in Flanders team red in centre of shot) finished comfortably in the peloton.    

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 3 - Eddy Verbust congratulates Peter after the finish of stage 3 at Hassdonk. Eddy V is a major organiser with the Ghent 6 Day track event in November and has been a strong supporter of BiciSport riders in Belgium over the years. 

Stage 2 - 17 August (Adegem - Bruges) 148k - 160 starters @ 42.6kph

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 2 - Peter passes through the finishing straight on lap 3 at Adegem with the rain coming down. The course was generally on narrow one lane paths around the outskirts of the Ursel Air Force Base. Conditions were simply awful being greasy, dangerous & wet which guaranteed numerous crashes with the roads literally awash with cow shit (it was everywhere). Peter was another excellent peloton finish just 19 seconds behind the breakaway winner for 74th. The Flanders team lost another rider retired today & another was lucky (?) to be classified as a finisher (not sure how the Commissaires reach that decision when the rider most certainly pulled out with over 20k to go). The Flanders team would start Stage 3 with just three riders and 16 riders retired on the stage today. The Belgian support team of Eddy Verbust & Freddy Verleyem (in grey jacket above) came to see Peter in the difficult conditions.      

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 2 - this is what 150k of full gas racing along tiny Flemish laneways covered in cow shit looks like.   

Stage 1 - 16 August (Bavegem - Zottegem) 150k - 180 starters @ 44.5kph

Tour of East Flanders 17 Stage 1 - 180 starters across 27 teams over 150k meant the first hour was utterly chaotic. There were narrow concrete roads, numerous bits of road furniture, stress levels off the scale, 5 major crashes and an average speed of 45+ kph. Peter (in red Flanders jersey above in centre of shot) finished 80th safely in the peloton in a dangerous bunch kick. Peter was the only Flanders team rider to finish in the peloton and for the rest it was carnage. Except for Peter the Flanders team had a totally forgettable day with three non finishers and it would have been a fourth save for some supportive commissaires.          

*  15 August - Temse-Velle (East Flanders) - 120k

Temse-Velle 17 - BiciSport attended the Temse-Velle kermesse race organised by Maarten Ver Hulst (a long time BiciSport supporter). The star attraction on the day was current Belgian road champion Stijn De Bock riding for the Cibel Continental Team. 

Temse-Velle 17 - The Ver Hulst family hosted the local street party with a caravan style coffee kart as the peloton screams past. Business was brisk.  

Temse-Velle 17 - a famous couple stopped by for a casual coffee at the Velle street party hosted by the Ver Hulst family ... none other than Ronald & Bernadette Van Avermaet (parents of the Olympic Champion Greg Van Avermaet). Both were outstanding competitive cyclists in their own right and Ronald represented Belgium at the 1980 Olympic Games. 

*  12 August - Beveren (West Flanders) - 114k - 61 starters @ 45.6kph

Beveren 17 - A super fast & difficult kermesse with some light showers to complicate the effort. A near crash on lap 1 had Peter at the back of the peloton as the break of the day escaped, and escaped they remained. Peter attacked all day and finally finished an excellent 21st from 61 starters. This was the last of the Belgian single day kermesses with just the Tour of East Flanders to come. Peter (in light blue jersey above) passes in front of a Belgian bridal bus as the wedding party is about to depart the Beveren church.   

Beveren 17 - The kermesse race having just departed its now the brides turn to exit the Beveren church

*  11 August - Lokeren (East Flanders) - 120k - 124 starters @ 45kph

Lokeren 17 - The penultimate Belgian kermesse of this Flanders trip over 120k at Lokeren had a quality peloton of 124 starters with numerous international riders. The Asfra-Flanders Cycles team leader (Yiber Sefa from Albania) took a great win from the break of the day and Peter (above) finished strongly in the peloton only 38 seconds behind the winner.   

*  9 August - Beernem (West Flanders) 112k - 117 starters @ 45.2kph

Beernam 17 - The Beernam peloton with Peter third wheel chasing the small breakaway that contained "Rambo" Nico Eeckhout (Rambo eventually finished second). Peter cruised the day & finished in the peloton

Beernam 17 - Peter van der Livingstone # 91 has caught the eyes of the Flemish bookmakers !. Peter's original betting odds were 41.12 - being odds of 41 to 1 for the win and 12 to 1 for a podium place. Mike O'Reilly placed 10 euro on a podium result. The bookie having accepted the wager then immediately changed Peter's odds to 30.0 .... no more podium bets were then accepted. 

Beernam 17 - Belgian bookmakers in action at the Beernam kermesse. What price for Peter van der Livingstone at the next Flemish kermesse ?

*  7 August - Rumbeke (West Flanders) 110k - 46 starters @ 41kph

Rumbeke 17 - A typical Belgian 'urban' kermesse (more like a criterium) through the local streets of Rumbeke (24 laps of 4.6k). Peter (light blue jersey above) was prominent all day and got in the break of the day and things looked very promising for a top 5 result ... then 5 riders slipped off the front. The final outcome was the best result to date with a fine 7th but the day promised an even higher result.   

*  5 August - Overijse (Brussels) 110k - 89 starters @ 41kph

Overijse 17 - Overijse is on the outskirts of Brussels and is the region used for the Brabant Pijl professional semi classic in mid April. This kermesse circuit was hilly and included a 400m long "berg" that Peter used 39x26 on each of the 13 laps. Lets not forget the mandatory cobbles and one cobbled section was on a descent. Peter was prominent all day in numerous moves off the front of the peloton and finished an excellent 12th. The kermesse started outside the In De Kroeg café (Peter on left of shot, light blue & black helmet).  

*  4 August - Zelzate (East Flanders) 108k - 84 starters @ 42kph

Zelzate 17 - The peloton split after 45k and Peter (in blue) made the front group. What looked like a very promising move faded when some teams stopped working and the front group grew to 35 in number as small groups bridged across. In the final bunch kick Peter finished 18th.

*  3 August - Oostkamp (West Flanders) 100k - 112 starters @ 45kph

Oostkamp 17 - A twilight kermesse starting at 6.30pm over 100k of a 5.6k "figure eight" circuit passing the rustic old Oostkamp Town Hall twice each lap (in picture above). Peter (above in Mobius blue) combined well with Mobius team mate Aaron Bicknell for another solid performance. Aaron went top 20 just off the front of the main peloton. "Rambo" Nico Eeckhout was also sighted again in the Oostkamp peloton still looking for his Belgian social security pension cheque.     

*  1 August - Deerlijk (West Flanders) 112k - 88 starters @ 46.5kph  

Deerlijk 17 - A fast kermesse with an average speed of 46.5kph had long straights & few corners combined to ensure a complete bunch kick - Peter combined with Mobius team mate Aaron Bicknell (in Mobius blue above) who both finished in the top 40. The notable "retiree ride" of the day was the only Masters in the peloton wearing all black with no sponsorship ... a certain # 55 ... none other than 46 years young "Rambo" Nico Eeckhout who rode in the professional peloton from 1996-2013 for numerous professional teams including Lotto, Palmans & TopSport Vlaanderen. Nico won the Flanders Championship (4 times), the Dwars Vlaanderen semi Classic (twice) and the 2006 Belgian National Professional Road Championship (defeating a young and soon to be famous Tom Boonen in the process).     

*  26-30 July - Tour of Flemish Brabant www.rondevanvlaamsebrabant.be

The Flemish Brabant Tour is for 25 Belgian (only) registered teams. 

Stage 1 - 26 July (Hakendover) 147k (16.4k @ 9 laps) - The circuit was a mixture of very narrow farm lanes and dual concrete pavements which included the Landenberg cobbled climb each lap. The finish was in a narrow lane in the centre of Hakendover. Peter rode well for a solid peloton finish of 94th @ 1min 46secs. All six ASFRA riders finished in the main peloton.

Brabant 17 (Stage 1) - Peter Livingstone (4th in line) climbs the Landenberg cobbles

Brabant 17 (Stage 1) - The ASFRA Racing Team prepares for stage 1 of the Flemish Brabant Tour

Stage 2 - 27 July (Leefdaal) 9k Individual Time Trial. This 9k ITT was more of a mobile rest day for the vast majority and totally meaningless when placed in context of what is to follow over the next three days. Peter finished 125th @ 2min 6secs.

Stage 3 - 28 July (Leefdaal) 153k (25.0k @ 6 laps) 

Brabant 17 (Stage 3) - The main peloton climbs the Everberg climb with Peter in red on right of shot. Across the top of a smoothe Everberg climb was then rewarded with a nasty trench of Belgian cobbles for 1.3k. Peter finished 74th from 125 finishers @ 2min 59 seconds

Stage 4 - 29 July (Landen) 140k (17.5k @ 8 laps) 

Brabant 17 (Stage 4) - the peloton goes over the top of the Landenberg climb in heavy crosswinds (Peter in red on left of shot). The peloton split & then reformed numerous times in what was a gruelling day. Peter finished 113th on the stage @ 6min 10 seconds.  

Stage 5 - 30 July (Rillaar) 154k (40.0k @ 2 laps, 12.0k @ 6 laps)

Brabant 17 (Stage 5) - at the top of the Brabant KOM somewhere in the back blocks of Flemish Brabant with Peter sitting in the main peloton. Peter went on to finish 92nd on the stage @ 2min 36 secs. Overall Peter finished 75th from 125 starters @ 14min 13 secs. By any measure a great result for a first up Belgian tour.

*  24 July - Grand Prix Raf Jonckheere (Westrozebeke West Flanders) - 164k - 100 starters. Peter gained selection to his first ASFRA Interclub team for the GP Raf Jonckheere and this was a real step up with several professional teams in attendance in the 100 rider peloton. Weather conditions were poor with heavy rain and nasty crosswinds for 16 laps of a rectangular circuit. It was gutter grovelling and crosswind misery at its worst with ASFRA picking up 3 punctures.   

Westrozebeke 17 - Flanders Cycles-ASFRA team before the start with the rain about to arrive that made for a wet, greasy and somewhat miserable Grand Prix Raf Jonckheere

Westrozebeke 17 - The Belgian "Interclub" series are selection only races and the calibre of the peloton is significantly higher than a more traditional Belgian Kermesse peloton (where anybody with a UCI Elite licence can enter). The Roubaix Lille Metropole team arrived in force. 

*  23 July - Landskouter Kermesse (East Flanders) - 89 starters - Peter finishes 9th

A good sized peloton of 89 faced 12 laps (of 9.3k) up the slight climb of the Rooberg each lap. Peter covered the moves that mattered and looked comfortable all day. A great result to crack the top 10.

Landskouter 17 - Peter Livingstone (in Mobius blue) leads the peloton on the early laps

Landskouter 17 - Peter crosses the line for 9th from 89 starters on the Rooberg in the village of Landskouter

 *  22 July - Sinaai Kermesse U23 only (East Flanders) - 38 starters. Sinaai was named after Mount Sinai in Egypt and that was about it save for light rain and two long & filthy stretches of greasy Belgian cobbles. A smaller peloton was due to being Under 23 only.     

Sinaai 17 - Peter Livingstone (Mobius light blue on left of shot) at the Sinaai start line for the Under 23 only kermesse over 115k. Light drizzle and greasy corners made for very tricky conditions especially on the cobbles. Peter crashed on the first lap (not serious) but in the process bent a rear derailleur for a DNF.

*  21 July - Lebbeke Kermesse (East Flanders) - 70 starters @ 42.5kph. The Lebbeke claim to fame is the Callebaut chocolate factory. The 114k kermesse was over 16 laps of 7.0k per lap with very technical single lane corners. Lebbeke itself was more about the Under 23 Sinaai kermesse the next day.  

Lebbeke 17 - Peter Livingstone (in red) punches out of the first corner at Lebbeke

*  19 July - Deinze Kermesse (East Flanders) - 126 starters @ 45.6kph. Deinze is not famous for much except a 9 year war in 1695, the start of the Ghent Wevelgem pro classic and the Team Sky Service Course. 

Deinze 17 - The only time for Peter Livingstone (red jersey black helmet) to pass the Deinze Church as a puncture after just 4k ended the day before it even started.

*  16 July -  Diksmuide Kermesse (West Flanders) - 144 starters @ 44kph. Diksmuide was very much a front line town in World War 1 and the 117k kermesse renewed hostilities over 16 laps of 7.3k.  A massive peloton of 144 starters greeted the off with numerous corners, bumpy roads, crosswinds, traffic furniture & gutter grovelling the order of the day. Peter got into the first break of the day and went to a 25 second lead but this was taken back almost immediately. Another break went after 55k and stayed away. Peter was a peloton finish in a tough kermesse with just 70 finishers.

Diksmuide 17 - Peter Livingstone (red jersey) in the early breakaway

Diksmuide 17 - 144 starters made for a very busy first corner

Diksmuide 17 - last years winner (for some reason) received yet more flowers before the start of this years Diksmuide Kermesse in front of a totally disinterested peloton. Peter is in red on right of shot. 

Diksmuide 17 - Bookmakers ran a comprehensive book on the peloton at the Diksmuide Kermesse.

Diksmuide 17 - World War 1 monument in Diksmuide in respect of the fallen

*  13 July - Gistel Kermesse (West Flanders) - 75 starters @ 45.5 kph - Gistel is the home of Belgian cycling legend Johan Museeuw and is out on the coast near Ostend. It was a heavily urbanised circuit over 118k with numerous corners, speed bumps and road furniture (if you can imagine racing around Lane Cove, Chatswood or Artarmon it'll give you some idea as the pictures indicate). Peter broke away on lap 1 and was joined by the winning break. A mishap on a corner on lap 2 relegated him to the main peloton and that was the way it finished. All in all a great first taste of top class Belgian kermesse racing. Next race is in Diksmuide in West Flanders.

Gistel 17 - Peter (second in line) in the main peloton chasing the breakaway on lap 3. The circuit was highly urbanised and you can't help but be astounded as to where these Belgies actually run a bike race

Gistel 17 - Peter attacked solo on lap 1, only to be joined by the winning break of the day on the next lap

Gistel 17 - Peloton rolls through the start line with Peter (in Flanders red) well to the fore

Gistel 17 - Peter Livingstone in warm up mode in mild conditions

*  11-12 July - Settled into the Kokerelle B&B (www.kokerelle.be) at the base of the Eikenberg cobbled climb just outside Oudenaarde. A quick visit to Flanders Cycles to collect the new ASFRA team kit & chat with Luc Assez (ASFRA Sports Director) plus a light pedal around Oudenaarde, Kortekeer, Patersberg, Kwaremont, Kluisbergen & finally home past the Koppenberg

Flanders Cycles, ASFRA RACING TEAM & oudenaarde

                 Peter Livingstone at the Kokerelle B & B at Maarke Kerkem near the Eikenberg climb

                                  ASFRA Racing Team is based out of Flanders Cycles in Oudenaarde

                      Oudenaarde on the Schelde River is an ideal setting for a Flanders racing experience

News Shorts - 10 July

Nowra 17 - 150+ team took an outstanding Gold in the TTT Championship with Mike Foster, Matt Coy, Giovanni Pilu & Simon Lempriere

Nowra 17 - Masters 150+ State Champions with Simon Lempriere, Matt Coy, Mike Foster & Giovanni Pilu

BICISPORT NOWRA TTT EDITION - 150+ take GOLD

*  The highlight of a team focused season is the Nowra TTT Championship with good event organisation and a team friendly TTT circuit. BiciSport fielded 6 teams and if it wasn't for a spate of injuries leading up to the Championships we could have easily have fielded 8 or 9 teams.

BiciSport finished 9th (from 24 clubs) in the NSW TTT Teams Pointscore (this excludes the Sassfras Challenge results) and picked up a well deserved Gold medal in the Masters 150+ team led by Giovanni Pilu. A big thankyou to the team sponsors that made it happen (Anytime Fitness & Oakwood Lifestyle Advisers & Piemonte Cafe), numerous supporters like Anchor Bay Motel and the Greenwell Point Café at Greenwell Point plus the BiciSport team managers - John Crouchley, Michael Haughey, Alex Simmons, Noel La Rose, Peter Davis & Jock Young. 

*  Sassafras Challenge @ Nowra @ 9 July - Division 1 - Conor Tarlington finished 33rd in peloton. Division 3 - Anthony Colantonio 11th & Lachlan Haughey 13th (both a peloton finish).

Nowra 17 - the Friday training ride before the Championship at the Nowra Airport

Nowra 17 - Sassafras Challenge Womens Team of Amber Walsh, Ruth Strapp, Angela Smith & Su Preeto finished an excellent third

Nowra 17 - Sassafras Challenge Womens Team on the start line

Nowra 17 - Sassafras Challenge Elite Team of Will Peters, Lachlan Haughey, Conor Tarlington & Peter O'Sullivan finished an excellent second

Nowra 17 - Sassafras Challenge Elite Team on the TTT podium

Nowra 17 - Masters 150+ with Michael O'Brien, Anthony Colantonio, Stewart Campbell & Peter Verhoeven

Nowra 17 - 150 + team led by the Stewart Campbell express headed for Nowra Airport. The team finished 6th

Nowra 17 - Masters 150+ with Graeme Cockerton, Dominic Zumbo, John Crouchley, Tom Green & James Thornton finished 13th from 27 teams

Nowra 17 - Masters 180+ with Raoul Westbrook, Brett Tarlington, Graeme Cocks & Ian Grainger finished 6th

Nowra 17 - Sunday morning after the Saturday Nowra TTT was the 50k team run out to Curranbong Beach

Sassafras 17 - Conor Tarlington (BiciSport Rauland) finished 33rd in Division 1 in Nowra Sassafras

OAKWOOD LIFESTYLE ADVISERS HAVE MOVED to BELROSE

*  Brett Tarlington and the Oakwood Lifestyle Advisers team have moved premises to Office 4, Narabang Way, Belrose (off Forest Way, near Mona Vale Rd). Same emails, same phone numbers.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  13-16 July - Velothon CycloSportive (Qld)

*  13 July - Peter Livingstone in Belgium

*  14 July - RAW Track @ DGV

*  15 July - Cervelo Masters Round 2 (Western Sydney Dragway)

*  16 July - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters) 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  12 July - DGV Track Training @ 3pm with John Crouchley

*  15 July - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

TOUR DE BELLO - offer closes end july, so don't delay

New Shorts - 3 July

Wagga Classic 17 - Conor Tarlington (BiciSport Rauland) goes top 10 in Division 2

Nowra 17 - BiciSport Womens TTT team for the Nowra State Championships on 8 July includes Amber Walsh, Su Preeto, Kirsty Flanagan & Ruth Strapp

Nowra 17 - BiciSport Masters 180+ team of Raoul Westbrook, Brett Tarlington, Graeme Cocks & Ian Grainger at Terrey Hills on a chilly Sunday morning

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Wagga Weekend @ 1-2 July - Good quality fields made the trip for the Wagga Classic weekend with a 100k road race on the Saturday and a short criterium on the Sunday. Conor Tarlington went top 10 in Division 2 on the Saturday. Conor was a bunch finish in the Sunday criterium.

*  RAW Track @ 30 June - RAW wins and placings across Graeme Cockerton, James Thornton & David Browne. David currently leads the Division 2 pointscore and Graeme leads Division 3. 

*  Mike O'Reilly has resigned as the NSW State Handicapper. Mike introduced the NSW Handicapping Policy in early 2015 and all NSW handicapping grades are now digitally recorded on the CycNSW membership system.

*  Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) departs for Belgium this week, and commences racing in Belgium the week of 10 July. A separate "BiciSport in Flanders" website blog will be in this News section from that week and regularly updated.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  7 July - RAW Track @ DGV

*  8 July - NSW Teams Time Trial Championships (Nowra), Calga Road Race (Central Coast CC)

*  9 July - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters)  

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  5 July - DGV Track training @ 3pm with John Crouchley

*  6 July - No Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride this week (due to Nowra TTT)

*  7 July - Nowra Airport TTT course recce (time tbc)

*  8 July - Moorebank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  9 July - Greenwell Point @ 8.00am (to Currabanong Beach)

NOWRA TTT - TIMETABLE, WHERE TO MEET, RIDES, START TIMES, GREENWELL POINT

Timetable - Thursday .. meet at Greenwell Point Motel & nearby house (contact Mike O'Reilly on 0417 403 244). Friday - TTT course recce from Nowra Airport (Garadi Street) at 1pm (contact Mike on the day) 

Saturday - Race day team start times are posted below. Team meeting point is in Garadi Street off Wugan Street at Nowra Airport (off Braidwood Rd). Riders need to be there no later than 90 minutes before your team start time. Greenwell Point Café dinner is @ 7pm and a 5 minute walk from the motel.

Sunday - BiciSport team ride over 50k starts at 8.00am from outside the Pelican Café in Greenwell Point to Currarong Beach & return   

Sassafras Challenge

Open Men - Start Time - 10.12am - Conor Tarlington, Lachlan Haughey, Will Peters, Peter O'Sullivan, David Browne

Open Women - Start Time - 11.18am - Ruth Strapp, Su Preeto, Amber Walsh, Angela Smith

Masters 180+

# 1 - Start Time - 11.46am - Ian Grainger, Brett Tarlington, Graeme Cocks, Raoul Westbrook, Peter Verhoeven, Peter O'Sullivan

Masters 150+

# 3 - Start Time - 12.04pm - Mike Foster, Matt Coy, Giovanni Pilu, Simon Lempriere, Dean Gale, Ben Pines

# 2 - Start Time - 12.42pm - Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo, James Thornton, Tom Green, Peter Verhoeven,  Peter O'Sullivan

# 1 - Start Time - 12.58am - Stewart Campbell, Mike O'Brien, Anthony Colantonio, Peter Verhoeven, Peter O'Sullivan

Team Managers

# - John Crouchley, Alex Simmons, Mike O'Reilly, Noel La Rose, Peter Davis, Jock Young

DERNY RESTORATION PROJECT

*  John Crouchley (BiciSport Coach) has led the restoration project on the Sydney Olympic 2000 Dernys that were laying idle and in serious disrepair at the back of DGV Velodrome. The motorised dernys (originally made in Belgium) were used to pace track riders at DGV. Several practical issues have had to be overcome in the tedious restoration project, not least of which being the antiquated 2 stroke engines which were (and most certainly still are) notorious for failing to start after prolonged "non use" (lets try 16 years !). The derny pictured above has been fully detailed & restored and will be returned to DGV in a presentation case for general public display. A second derny has had a new 4 stroke engine fitted (much easier to start and increased performance) and has been successfully tested at DGV. The remaining dernys are in the process of being fully detailed and restored to their former Olympic glory. A big thankyou to the BiciSport restoration team who are actively involved in this ongoing project.  

TOUR DE BELLO

For Sale - 1981 Colnago "Super" steel frame with Columbus tubing (size 57cm x 57cm measured centre to centre). Burgundy colour with period Colnago decals. Fully chromed front forks & part chromed rear chain stays. Frame has not a scratch, never crashed and "as showroom new" for just $800. Contact Mike O'Reilly via email on bicisport1@gmail.com  

News Shorts - 26 June

Peter Livingstone (BiciSport Mobius) commences a six week secondment with the ASFRA Racing Team (Flanders Cycles) in Oudenaarde Belgium from 10 July until late August. Peter's program will be a combination of regular 120k "kermesse style" racing and top level "Inter Club" racing over distances of 150k-170k. A daily report from 10 July will be posted on this News page.        

RAW 17 @ DGV - Matt Karai leads the peloton

RAW 17 @ DGV - Graham Cockerton

RAW 17 @ DGV - David Browne in the distinctive RAW kit  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  30 June - RAW Track @ DGV

*  1 July - Victorian ITT Series (Eildon, Victoria)

*  1-2 July - Wagga Wagga Weekend.

*  2 July - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), Rememberance Cup ECR (Marconi CC), Calga ITT (ATTA)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  27 June - BiciSport TTT training @ Elizabeth Bay Park (Lake Munmorah) @ 10am

*  28 June - DGV Training @ 3pm @ John Crouchley

*  29 June - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ Centennial @ 11am

*  1 July - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.15am

*  2 July - BiciSport TTT training @ Helensburgh & Terrey Hills

NOWRA TTT - FINAL TRAINING SESSION on 2 JULY -

Sassafras Challenge

Open Men - Conor Tarlington, Lachlan Haughey, Will Peters, Peter O'Sullivan, David Browne

Open Women - Ruth Strapp, Kirsty Flanagan, Su Preeto, Amber Walsh, Angela Smith

Masters All Ages

# 1 - Mike Foster, Matt Coy, Giovanni Pilu, Ben Pines, Simon Lempriere, Dean Gale

Masters 150+

# 1 - Stewart Campbell, Mike O'Brien, Anthony Colantonio, Peter Verhoeven, Peter O'Sullivan

# 2 - Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo, James Thornton, Tom Green, Peter Verhoeven,  Peter O'Sullivan

# 3 - Ian Grainger, Brett Tarlington, Graeme Cocks, Raoul Westbrook, Peter Verhoeven, Peter O'Sullivan

Team Managers

# - John Crouchley, Alex Simmons, Mike O'Reilly, Noel La Rose, Peter Davis, Jock Young  

*  BiciSport Team Time Trial Training @ July 2. There will be two options - some teams @ Helensburgh (with John Crouchley) with other teams @ Piemonte Café (with Mike O'Reilly).

*  Helensburgh - From Sydney take the Princess Motorway going south towards Wollongong,   Take the Helensburgh exit off Princess Motorway,  Turn left at the first Roundabout (at old Princess Highway), Go 250m and the Sunrise Nursery is on your right (car parking, coffee & toilets), Meet at Sunrise Nursery at 8.30am and depart at 9.00am

*  Terrey Hills - Meet at Piemonte Café Terrey Hills at 8.00am and depart at 8.30am for Booralie Rd

TOUR DE BELLO

News Shorts - 19 June

Coonabarabran Gunnedah 17 - Conor Tarlington before the start in a chilly Coonabarabran

Coonabarabran Gunnedah 17 - cattle blocked the course with 50k to go, but eventually moved off the road

Coonabarabran Gunnedah 17 - Conor Tarlington (blue helmet blue shoes) in the lead group with 45k to the finish

Gunnedah Tamworth 17 - Conor finished 16th in Division 1. Both races over the weekend were well conducted in ideal conditions. 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Gunnedah Weekend @ June 17 & 18 - The weather was perfect for the Coonabarabran 110k handicap with little or no wind and ideal racing conditions save for a few cattle on the road. Conor Tarlington finished 31st in the lead group after an excellent performance in the Coonabarabran Gunnedah handicap. Day 2 was the 108k Gunnedah Tamworth graded scratch race. Conditions were again ideal with a new finish on the outskirts of Tamworth. Conor finished 16th in Division 1 @ 7 minutes (being the Division 1 main peloton).  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  25 June - Melburn Roobaix Cyclosportive (Melbourne, Vic), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  19 June - No DGV training until after the Nowra TTT in early July

*  21 June - Aero testing with Alex Simmons @ DGV @ 10am

*  22 June - No Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride this week

*  24 June - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  25 June - BiciSport TTT Training @ Piemonte Café @ 7.30am (depart 8.00am)

NOWRA TTT - TRAINING on 25 June at TERREY HILLS

Nominations open - Nominations are now open for BiciSport teams to the Nowra TTT on Saturday 8 July. BiciSport will provide team managers, support team drivers together with accommodation at Greenwell Point outside Nowra on the Saturday night. Sunday is either a BiciSport club ride to Culburra Beach over 50k or alternatively you can compete in the Sassafras Road Race. Nominations are to Mike O'Reilly on bicisport1@gmail.com. Nominations received to date -

Sassafras Challenge

Men - Conor Tarlington, Lachlan Haughey, Mike O'Brien, Rider 4 (tbc), Stewart Campbell (Reserve # 1)

Women - Ruth Strapp, Kirsty Flanagan, Su Preeto, Amber Walsh, Angela Smith (Reserve # 1), Lise Benjamin (Reserve # 2)

Masters 150+

# 1 - Stewart Campbell, Anthony Colantonio, Peter Verhoeven, Peter O'Sullivan, Mike O'Brien (Reserve # 1)

# 2 - Pilu - Mike Foster, Matt Coy, Giovanni Pilu, Ben Pines, Simon Lempriere (Reserve # 1), Dean Gale (Reserve # 2)

# 3 - Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo, James Thornton, Tom Green, Stewart Campbell (Reserve # 1), Mike O'Brien (Reserve # 2)

TBC - David Browne, Brett Tarlington

Masters 180+

# 1 - Ian Grainger, Graeme Cocks, Raoul Westbrook, Jock Young

TBC - Peter Davis

Team Managers

# - John Crouchley, Alex Simmons, Mike O'Reilly, Noel La Rose, Peter Davis  

*  TTT Training venues, dates, times -

*  25 June - Piemonte Café Terrey Hills - meet at 7.30am in carpark, depart at 8.00am

*  2 July - Piemonte Café Terrey Hills (most teams with Mike O'Reilly) - meet at 7.30am in carpark, depart at 8.00am or Helensburgh (some teams with John Crouchley) on Sunday 2 July - meet at 8.00am, depart at 8.30am

                                                    TOUR OF BELLO

News Shorts - 12 June

Stelvio Santani Gran Fondo 17 - Brad Mills & David Cooper (BiciSport) climbed the Mortriolo Pass on June 12. The Mortriolo Pass itself is just outside Bormio with gradients of 18% as the climb passes the Marco Pantani Monument.

West Head Subaru Classic 17 - Anthony Colantonio took second in Division 2

Cervelo Masters Kooragang 17 - Kirsty Flanagan (3rd woman Division 5), Ruth Strapp (1st woman Division 4)

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  West Head Subaru Classic @ 11 June - A wet & woolly day greeted the Subaru Classic with both the circuit & distances shortened. Peter Livingstone had a small "off" in Elite A grade with Anthony Colantonio a good second in B grade. 

*  Cervelo Masters Newcastle @ 12 June - Ruth Strapp took 1st woman in Division 4 and Kirsty Flanagan 3rd woman in Division 5.   

RACING THIS WEEK

*  16 June - RAW Track (DGV)

*  16-18 June - Cycling Australia Under 19 National Road Championships (Geelong, Vic)

*  17 June - Calga RR (CC)

*  17-18 June - Gunnedah Weekend

*  18 June - Mt Ku Ring Gai Criterium (NS), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  12 June - No DGV training until after Nowra TTT

*  15 June - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ Centennial Park @ 11am

*  17 June - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

NOWRA TTT - Next Training session Sunday 25 June at Terrey Hills

Nominations open - Nominations are now open for BiciSport teams to the Nowra TTT on Saturday 8 July. BiciSport will provide team managers, support team drivers together with accommodation at Greenwell Point outside Nowra on the Saturday night. Sunday is either a BiciSport club ride to Culburra Beach over 50k or alternatively you can compete in the Sassafras Road Race. Nominations are to Mike O'Reilly on bicisport1@gmail.com. Nominations received to date -

Sassafras Challenge - Conor Tarlington, Lachlan Haughey, Tom Green

Masters 150+

#1 - Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo, James Thornton, Anthony Colantonio, Reserve #1, Reserve #2

#2 - Peter Verhoeven, Peter O'Sullivan, David Browne tbc

#3 - Pilu # 1 - Mike Foster, Matt Coy, Giovanni Pilu, Ben Pines, Reserve #1, Reserve #2

#4 - Pilu # 2 - Simon Lempriere, Dean Gale, Stewart Campbell, Mike O'Brien, Reserve #1, Reserve #2

#5 - Stephen Brown, Paul Curgenven, Colin Edmonds, Mark Walsh tbc

Masters 180+

# 1 - Peter Verhoeven, Ian Grainger, Graeme Cook, Jock Young, Raoul Westbrook, Peter Davis, Brett Tarlington

Masters Women

# 1 - Ruth Strapp, Kirsty Flanagan, Su Preeto, Lise Benjamin (Reserve)

Team Managers

# - John Crouchley, Alex Simmons, Mike O'Reilly, Noel La Rose, Mike Lawson  

*  TTT Training venues, dates, times -

*  Piemonte Café Terrey Hills - meet at 7.30am in carpark, depart at 8.00am on 

Sunday 25 June

*  Helensburgh on Sunday 2 July - meet at 8.00am, depart at 8.30am

                                                     TOUR De BELLO

                                    RAW (Race All Winter) starts at DGV on Friday 16 June