Australian National Masters Criterium and Road Championships 2014 (MMAS2)

So by 'roll around' in the crit and road race, I really didn't mean just roll. This was the first time I'd entered all three events in a National Championship and I was keen for a shot at the overall points for the Championship jersey. This is awarded to the most consistent rider in each group at the championships, calculated on points 5, 3, 2, 1.

The 40 minute + 3 lap criterium was reduced to 30+2. I'm not sure on the reasoning, the 2.8km course may have been a little slower than they'd scheduled for? With my sights more on the road race than the crit, I wasn't planning on working too hard in the first 1/2 of the race.

Like clockwork, at 15 minutes in good mate Mathew Upton was able to escape the bunch into the quick left/right turn on the course. I jumped across, and it was on full gas for a few minutes. The bunch hesitated and we were given just enough space to believe the move just might stick. At this point I wasn't sure it was the right move. I was digging into reserves I wanted to use in the road race on Saturday. With the chase bunch appearing to shatter, it was all or nothing.

In the closing laps Glenn Mathiske put in a super human solo effort to join Upton and I in the break. The effort to get across was evident, Mathiske was feeling the pinch. Upton's race experience on the final lap was on show, we were able to isolate Mathiske from my wheel (twice!) so I could kick clear to the line. Mathiske still managed to come over Upton and take the silver.

The salute was a combination of surprise, not wanting a fine for excitement-swearing (again), securing the overall jersey, and winning a national title for an event that was only meant to keep my legs ticking over for the road race.

Full Results (MetaRace)
Jo Upton Photos

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MMAS2 Road Race 108km (4 laps)

Now, the road race. Held over 111km of an 108km course, they must have made up the missing km in the TT and added to the road race? :) 8:30am start after finishing the crit at 3pm the day before was just cruel.

Thankfully the pace up the hill on the first lap was manageable.... until Tom Leaper (Croydon Cycleworks) attacked 200m before the KOM. Only 3km into the race? The timing didn't matter. Everyone HAD to respond. I shot off from 3rd wheel and made it across. The two of us were soon on the quick run towards Yendon with the gap opening up.

As the kms ticked over, the moto-scout was providing time checks that were always increasing. I really didn't know if I was going to hold 'Leaper pace' through to the finishing line, but I was 100% committed to getting us both as close to that chequered flag as possible.

I had a few ups and downs on the final two laps with my leg power slowly fading away. Leaper didn't falter. He didn't miss a beat. Cool, calm, and powering on like he could have done another three laps.

We were given a final time check of 4:30 by our friendly moto-scout during the last lap. That was it. We just needed to get to the finish. Leaper ticking away, me in a world of hurt but still with a huge smile.

We dropped down off Fisken Ave for the last time, Leaper kicked with 2km to go and I could only watch as the legend that is Tom Leaper rolled into Buninyong, arms in the air, taking his first National Road Championship title.

Chapeau Tommy!

Full Results
Jo Upton Photos

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Australian National Masters Road Time Trial Championships 2014 (MMAS2)

First up - What a day! Another Masters Nationals TT done and dusted for the year. The one TT that is always in our thoughts as our 'target event of the year' comes around so fast. I mentioned to Von on the start line that it was hard to believe we were standing there today. The 'nationals' TT is always weeks or months away. Always plenty of time to train harder for it, right?

We were lucky to have the TT championships return to Ballarat after two years on the windswept course near Goulburn in NSW. In that time they had changed the course from the Avenue of Honour to.... you'd never guess... a windswept course out in Burrumbeet. And just like Goulburn, it has a wind farm nearby to remind you it'll be a bloody tough day on the bike.

And bloody tough it was. The 24km/h south west wind hung around all day and everyone rolling in had war stories to tell about their ride. With a late start time I was able to be Von's soigneur/mechanic/manager getting everything sorted for her ride. Always a stressful task as I built her bike, worked on her position, picked out the right wheel combo for the course, and talked her though the pacing strategy for the course about 50 times. (side note: While I 'say' I'm helping her, it is really the way I use to remind myself how to ride the course, shhhh).

When she rolled over the line in 1st place, taking the WMAS1 National TT title I was a little emotional. I was so proud of her. I can honestly say she works harder than I do when it comes to getting up early and getting in the kms. There will be more work for her in the step up to WMAS2 next year, which I'm sure she'll take on at full speed.

Back to the MMAS categories, man mountain and speedy unit John Cain (Giant Celtic) set the course alight with a 24:28 to win MMAS5. Flying! That was the last benchmark I saw before getting out on the course myself.

The iconic Mr Pink was a familiar face as the start line holder. To the amusement of those standing around, I had to tell him to "take me from behind" after he went to hold me from the side.... What I meant was to "hold me from behind", but he knew what I meant.

Thanks Mr Pink!

Nothing much to write up about a flat-out time trial other than it went to plan. The pacing strategy, the numbers, and the speed. All spot on. If Anthony Tan thinks the Women's World Championship Road Race was lacking entertainment, I won't dare give the world a run-down on how a TT plays out.

I rolled over the line in 23:45. 1st place MMAS2 and fastest on the day. The course was a little shorter than the 20km they calculated everyone's official speeds on. I held 47.4km/h. I haven't looked further into the data. That can wait.

MMAS2 Results:
1.     102     Shane MILLER (VIC)       23:45.25        
2.     107     Tom LEAPER (VIC)         24:28.89     +43.6    
3.     105     Jon HOUSTON (SA)         25:11.98     +1:26.7    
4.     112     Jesse GRAHAM (ACT)       26:09.80     +2:24.5    
5.     114     Joshua GOODALL (VIC)     27:10.47     +3:25.2    
6.     109     Lee LINDSAY (VIC)        27:14.97     +3:29.7    
7.     108     Peter VARRICCHIO (SA)    27:28.78     +3:43.5    
8.     103     Clinton BAIN (QLD)       27:51.88     +4:06.6    
9.     104     Simon BERRY (NSW)        28:13.11     +4:27.8    
10.    106     Rodney UPTON (VIC)       28:30.47     +4:45.2

There are a swag of people and companies I need to thank behind the scenes, I'll do that in person over the next few days. For now, thanks for reading. Time to roll around in the crit and road race here in Ballarat, then we're off to race the Tour of Fiji next week!

Links:
Official Results (Metarace)
Jo Upton Photos The Courier - Shane Miller aims for sixth national time trial title in a row in first day’s racing.
WinTV News - Sports Report Oct 1st 2014:

CV Castlemaine Open ITT & 2014 Mirabella Trophy Race

Excellent entry numbers for the Castlemaine 20km ITT held last Saturday. Going head to head with the CX racing (better suited to the wintry conditions) almost 100 riders tested themselves against the clock.

The 20km course is on the old highway. A fast section of road, except for all the hills. Last year I recalled being at the top of the first pinch in a world of pain and hating life. This year I had a few specific points on the course picked out that I wanted to nail at full speed while in the correct mindset. This made all the difference. With the slight tail wind I was at top of the climb 7km in around 60 seconds up on last year. The return leg was harder than usual into the breeze. I had Nick Bensley (StayTrue) pegged at 30 seconds with a few kms to go, but the run back into town is super fast, so no dice on pulling him back any further.

We were back on hand timing which caused havoc with the initial A Grade times. These were sorted by the time we went home thanks to some quick mathematics and someone's dad keeping the time keepers honest. :)

Going up against NRS riders, some stomping TKM guys who are knocking on the door of TT wins, and Drapac pro Lachlan Norris who rocked up ready to play - I was pretty happy that the my ride was good enough to take the win.

Finish line Garmin lap press... Photo by Jim Morey

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Eureka Vets CC -  Mirabella Trophy Race 2014.

Windy, 7°C, wet roads, and patchy rain in Ballarat usually means a good sleep-in at the in-laws. Not this Sunday. Local legend Tony Mirabella along with Eureka Vets CC were running a race with his name on it and I was keen to help the scratch bunch have a crack at the title.

Limit had 22 minutes over the 48km. The eight of us off scratch instantly became six when two riders missed the start. We were going to wait until one of the riders yells "We've got Miller, we don't need them!". hah! Oh shit, he was serious, and we were off....  flat out!

Mirabella took a few kms to start firing on all cylinders, I had to drop back and pull him back to the storming scratch bunch who'd hit the first hill way too hard. After that we used the crosswind section to do most of the damage to the time gaps. On the second lap we timed the catch of 'block' meter-perfect. Catching them unaware just as they turned into the headwind.

15km to go, Mirabella and I upped the pace on the climb out of Learmonth. The two of us were clear of our group and had the limit riders in sight. The catch was made with 8km to go. Straight into the crosswind only Graeme Parker was able to stick with Mirabella and myself.

5km to go Parker dropped off the back and looked like calling it a day. Mirabella and I could see we had enough time to throw Parker a tow-rope to the line. We dropped back and kept him out of the wind and clear of the chasing riders. Parker dug deep to keep with us and to secure a top three finish.

I had enough left in the tank to kick clear to the line once I knew we'd had 1-2-3 sewn up. Parker took a well deserved 2nd place, with race sponsor Mirabella in 3rd.

Finish line shot... pressing the Garmin again!

With the amount of work we had to put in with a reduced scratch bunch, I didn't think we'd close the limit riders down. It was a bit of a surprise we'd caught them all. It was a pleasure to have ridden the whole day with race sponsor Mirabella, and an honour etch my name into the 2014 winner's trophy.

The hospitality and post race spread of food put on by Eureka Vets is second to none. I even managed to pull off the meat tray raffle win (thanks Mega Meats!)

Eureka Vets CC Website

Eureka Vets CC Facebook