NC: Gisborne South Scratch 24th April 2010.

Just like Willie Nelson, I'm "On the road again". So far this year has been crits, time trials, and track racing... Gisborne South was my first road race of the year, with many more to come all the way through to Bright in December. It was 3 1/2 years since I'd last raced at Gisborne South, and for good reason, the course is brutal! 8km laps with one little hill, and one longer hill.... and brutal wind!

With a few other races on this weekend, 18 starters took to A grade. Our roll out resembled a race for the tea and biscuits at an old folks home (sans attacking goat) - I don't think we were pushing over 25km/h. After spending the last six weeks training for a race only 3kms long, I had no idea how my legs would hold up over 80kms. I'd decided that with the low chances of me lasting the distance, I'd attack early.... about 300m up the road from the start. Everyone hates an early attack, but its a good warm up, sorry everyone. :) Elliott (TFM/Brunswick) was quick to respond and pull me back, and soon the rest of the bunch was up to speed and we're all back together. Phil Smith (Kosdown/Coburg) drifted off the front of the bunch with nobody else jumping across to his wheel.

One lap down and Phil was 400m or so up the road. Back onto the main road Luigi Vecchio (SKCC) launches off the front of the bunch with nobody responding, I scrambled across to him as he puts in a monster turn up the small hill on the course. We were only a few meters from reaching Phil's wheel when the bunch had shut us down before the base of the main climb. The catch to Phil was never made and nobody pulled through to keep the pace up. Phil soon pulled away again off the front.

There were a few heavy breathers up the main climb early on - But the bunch was happy to keep the pace somewhat friendly. On lap 3 (I think, I lost count) I'd scoped out a good spot to attack the bunch but I needed help to make it stick. Elliott and I were never too far from each other so it was no surprise that when I jumped away off the front, he was on my wheel and ready to pull a few turns to increase the gap. We had caught the bunch napping and quickly had had a few 100m lead. A few kms later we'd made it across to Phil Smith who was powering up the climbs. The three of us worked turns for a few laps with the bunch never too far behind.

We'd lost count of the laps and when Elliott asked as we crossed the start/finish at the top of the hill, the reply was "Five to go!". Only another 40kms to go! By lap 5 or 6 we spotted two chasers who were bridging across from the bunch. Luigi Vecchio (SKCC) and Cam Lester (SKCC) had made it across to the break making it five strong. They'd burnt a few matches in doing so - but started contributing to the turns which ensured the break would keep away for the day.

We'd turned the scratch race into a five man team trial... or the scratch bunch in a handicap. All working turns to our strengths where we could to stop the bunch from shutting us down. The second last time up the climb Elliott and I had gaped the other three by a few lengths. This could have been our opportunity to launch away but we thought better of it - still too far out with the wind and hills involved. We all kept contributing to the break right up to the base of the final climb to the finish. Lester (who has sprinter hams), was a victim of the first attack. Down to four we had to keep the pace up so we didn't have to battle to the line with a sprinter. Situation was now: Smith, Elliott, Vecchio and me. Phil Smith threw in a few attacks that the other two responded to. Elliott and Vecchio both had digs at going off the front but were shut down. Each attack was bringing the pace down a little more each time, we were all hurting by this stage. I was planning on an attack but wanted to wait as long as possible as I'd only have one effort in me after taking a hammering from the other three.

The finish line at the top only comes into sight about 150m out. We crested the hill to see a huge number of people/racers/supporters there to see the finish. Vecchio was on the front, Elliott and I around second wheel, and Phil Smith not too far behind. I waited, waited, waited... then jumped at the line. Elliott knew I'd jump and was closing fast but he ran out of road, I took the win, Elliott second, Vecchio a well deserved third, and Phil Smith 4th. It was a great day out - an honest effort put in by everyone in the break right up to the final climb, all positive racing, and an epic final km. Great racing guys!



A Grade (18 Riders)
1. Shane Miller (Haw)
2. Nathan Elliot (Bruns)
3. Luigi Vecchio (SKCC)
4. Phillip Smith (Coburg)

NC Results/report.

A few pics here on Picasa by Alison

2010 Australian Masters Track Championships - DISC (15th-18th April)

It is difficult to write up race reports for time trails at the track. The 'story' of the events is more about the preparation and end result, rather than the unfolding tactics like in a road race. Not a lot can happen over 1km for the TT, more can happen in 3,000m in the Pursuit - but its over in a flash!

Day 1: TT (or kilo for MMAS2 and MMAS1). On the new bike I'd set a benchmark of 1:08.021 at the State Omnium Championships a few days before the nationals. If I could match that time again I'd be happy. The Pursuit was the reason I took up the track - the 1km TT being a good warm-up event the day prior to the state championships and the nationals. Gate starts (or starting in general) is not my strong point, we get a more polite ramp start at road TTs. The first lap is over quickly and my vision was slowly fading by lap four. Time: 1:07.166. Gold medal and an Australian MMAS1 title for 2010!

MMAS1 TT Results:
1 Shane MILLER Hawthorn CC 53.60 1:07.166
2 Brett ROLLINSON Warragul CC 51.55 1:09.830
3 Riccardo ROSADONI Sturt C.C. 50.62 1:11.112
4 Brett HOLMES Kilkenny C.C. 48.81 1:13.758
5 Wayne GEBERT Coburg CC Inc 48.75 1:13.848
6 Ian MCGINLEY Coburg CC Inc 48.50 1:14.221
7 Martin TOBIN Wangaratta CC Inc 47.22 1:16.240
8 Craig KOUIMANIS South Coast C.C. 41.92 1:25.882

Lou Pascuzzi (MMAS2, Carnegie Caulfield CC) said to me when we were all lined up waiting for the medal presentations, "Awesome ride, but mate, your start was SO SHIT but you really brought it home!". A perfect and honest description of events! Thanks Lou! hahaha


Day 2: 3000m Pursuit.

Qualifying: I'm struggling to come up with anything to write for the qualifier... I could go on about the last five weeks of training, preparation, and focus put into this 3000m event - but that's a given, we all have to train to be competitive and 100% ready on the day. With the track-side assistance of Matilda Vaughan keeping me in check, I rode a 3:32.439 in the qualifier which put me in #1 spot, and on the front straight for the final.

1 Shane MILLER Hawthorn CC 50.84 3:32.439
2 Brett ROLLINSON Warragul CC Inc 48.96 3:40.571
3 Ian MCGINLEY Coburg CC Inc 47.36 3:48.033
4 Riccardo ROSADONI Sturt C.C. 46.65 3:51.510
5 Martin TOBIN Wangaratta CC Inc 44.87 4:00.674


Gold/Silver Final: The business end, and last event for the day. I'd kept an eye on the times of the other categories, comparing the finals vs their qualifying. Most were a second or two off their qualifying times. The MMAS1 final was a repeat of the state final four weeks ago, me vs Brett Rollinson. From reports it sounds like a carbon copy from the start of our previous race too. I was on schedule for the first six laps and soon had Brett in my sights as I came out of the bends, meaning I was at least 2-3 seconds up. I was going to peg the speed there and keep myself under control. Matilda was looking pleased with the pace I was on, the numbers on the board were good. I'd asked Von to stand track-side and scream at me regardless of where I was positioned in the race. While keeping an eye on the closing gap to Brett, I had Stuart Vaughan's advice replaying in my head "You do not need to catch your opponent". Two laps later Brett was only within a few bike lengths so I lifted my effort to catch and pass him. The gun fires at 2:42 into the race - I had the gold. I chose to keep going and set a time for the full distance. 3 laps to go on the front straight - nothing to lose, all out for another 750m. At 1 lap to go and Matilda had put the timing board away - it was replaced with screams of encouragement to finish the final lap giving it everything I had. Job done. 3:30.625. New MMAS1 Australian Championships and All Comers record by 1.365 seconds! This was also the fastest 3000m Pursuit at the championships - something we all aim for regardless of what category we're in. :)

MMAS1 3000m Pursuit Final Results:
Gold & Silver Medals
1 Shane MILLER Hawthorn CC 51.28 3:30.625
2 Brett ROLLINSON Warragul CC Inc

Bronze Medal
3 Ian MCGINLEY Coburg CC Inc 46.66 3:51.473
4 Riccardo ROSADONI Sturt C.C. 46.46 3:52.439


I've had a blast on the track over the last five weeks. Two national masters titles, two state masters titles, and my name in the record books to top it off! Now onto the fun part, thanking everyone who has been a part of this with me:

Matilda Vaughan - Rider manger extraordinaire. You kept me honest and in-check both on and off the track, for which I am extremely grateful. You're a big part of the gold medals I have from the track. Thank you!

Stuart Vaughan - Who has told me for a few years I'd do alright in track pursuit. The loaner bike for the state titles, the advice, and for believing that I could reach my goals on the track.

Carl Brewer - For the leg busting sprint drills up at Mt Hotham when I wanted to be climbing long hills. Getting us on DISC a few times prior to the nationals and smashing our legs.

Andy @BikePro.com.au - Bits and pieces for the track bike at very short notice. Andy just happened to have a 51 tooth chain ring in stock, and a Sugino bottom bracket, and a track chain. All expertly installed by a track legend (check his bio here)

Bikes @ Brighton - For hooking me up with a super-slick 2010 Fuji Elite track frame set. THe frame is stiff, light, and if you pedal really hard, its fast!

Coburg/Kosdown - Big thanks for the guys at Coburg CC who let me race their track championships as my first attempt at a Pursuit. This sparked my interest in giving the state titles a shot. Kosdown for the ongoing sponsorship and the team boss who was happy to have one of the 'roadies' taking to the track for a few weeks.

CA/CSV/Volunteers - Yes, these guys too! Producing race results/timing/reports non stop for 4 full days of racing, that requires massive amounts of coordination. I located the official who dsq'ed me from the Omnium last week and we had a chat. Issue resolved. Special mention to the gate-starter for my pursuit final. After my rider he came all the way over to where I was sitting to congratulate me - he told me "It must have been the awesome start gate handler".

Von - Forever putting up with me.



Official Results: CSV
Official Photographs: Leanne Cole - www.leannecole.com