The Praying Mantis TT Position - Is it back?

UCI time trial regulations are one of the most dynamic in the rule book. It seems every six months the UCI publish changes, updates, or clarifications. Things are progressing and becoming easier for commissaires to review bikes and equipment before a race, if they choose to. It is also a mandatory requirement of competitors to be up to date with the rules.... a tough ask when things keep changing!

I've had a lot of riders ask about pushing the limits when it comes to TT bars/lever height to get themselves into a very aero-aggressive TT position. Think Floyd Landis around 2006. That position worked very well for a number of riders. And like Floyd himself, it was also outlawed by the UCI....

The Praying Landis - A positively dope TT position.

The initial checks were to ensure the rider's forearms were horizontal when they were on their bike and in their TT position. This check was invalidated by the new bike check process introduced in 2014:   

....from 2014, only the bicycle will be checked. The bicycle can be presented by a person other than the rider. This will mean that riders are not disturbed in their preparations just before the start of the race. - UCI Update Info Bulletin N°4

To ensure riders were adhering to the rule without being present, a -+10cm rule for the TT bars/extensions was detailed:

"The height differences between, on the one hand, the point of support of the elbows and the highest point of the handlebar extension (including the gear levers) and, on the other hand, point of support of the elbows and the lowest point of the handlebar extensions (including the gear levers) shall each be less than 10 cm in order to guarantee that the forearms are horizontal." - UCI Update Info Bulletin N°4

It appears the most recent update/clarification has no reference to horizontal forearms as bike with a +10cm measurement means the riders forearms won't be horizontal (although they'll be far from being a Praying Landis):

The handlebar extensions plus any accessories (controls, levers, etc. and all their mounting accessories) must be within ±10 cm from the level defined by the elbow/forearm supports. Any moving parts have to be placed in the most vertical position that can remain unsupported through their range of movement. - The Clarification guide of the UCI Technical Regulation - August 2014

The UCI have included some excellent diagrams in their August 2014 Clarification Guide:

To check, rotate the levers to the highest point and allow to rest, and then take the measurement for the +10 cm position. If necessary, rotate the lever to the lowest point and take the measurement for the -10 cm position. The measurements of the upper and lower limits are taken in the front half of the handlebar extensions. - The Clarification guide of the UCI Technical Regulation - August 2014

Subtle but important detail there - Taking the measurement point from the highest point of the lever puts riders with most mechanical levers at a disadvantage if they're after maximal lever height. Chalk that up as a reason to investigate electronic shifting on a TT bike.

So is the praying mantis back? No. It'll be interesting to see if Cycling Australia have a jig that can measure this at the Nationals in a few weeks...

In the mean time, if you're "pushing the limits" pack some spacers or extra chunky arm pads to raise up the measurement point of the armrests.... or adjust your rear limit screw to stop your levers from reaching >10cm. You'll lose 1-2 gears on the rear, but you won't get a DSQ for the event.

"Factory" measurements with DuraAce levers. Hmm!

Sorted - Beanbag arm pads, UCI legal!

---

Banning TT bikes at the National level..... not the answer.

There is banter around TT bikes for the 2015 NRS season. Will the NRS organisers flip the switch and allow TT bikes for the men and ban them for the women? I don't know the answer, but I did run some numbers about what happens when you introduce even more rules to an already rule-riddled discipline.

Back in 2012 TT bikes were banned from our 3 Day Tour, the reasoning was something about people forgetting to change their transponders. (IMO - a simple DFL time would have sufficed). I wrote an article about making your road bike as fast as possible, The Poor Mans TT Bike.

The conclusion to that article still holds true today - Allowing TT bikes and equipment actually LEVELS the playing field by regulating what equipment can be used.

---

Without any UCI regulation as to what constitutes a 'road bike' TT set up, it is open slather with big budget teams using disc wheels, deep front wheels, TT helmets, swapped out stems, and their mechanics with the know-how are happily setting their riders up.

The smaller teams without the equipment/budget, the very teams that the TT bike ban is meant to assist, are left at a HUGE disadvantage. If they were to race the TT stage with their road-legal equipment they'll have to ride a lot harder to make time cut, and to stay within GC contention/position.

Barriers in TTs.... unwelcome.

---

The Numbers..... 

A few assumptions made here. I've used estimates of the Women's NRS, however the theory applies across the board. I've guesstimated the top women TTers are putting out 315W over 20km, and the lower end of the field are around 210W. No wind. Flat course. 

Case 1 - Road bikes. (No TT equipment at all)

Power  Speed    Time   GC Diff   Notes
315W   40.6km/h 29:33            +20% cutoff is 35:27
210W   35km/h   34:17  +4:44     1:10 inside cutoff

210W is 66.6% of the winners power, 35km/h is 86.21% of winners speed. In other words, 2/3rds of the winners power gets you more than 3/4 of their speed. Not bad!


Case 2 - TT bikes. (UCI regulations)

Power  Speed    Time   GC Diff   Notes
315W   43km/h   27:54            +20% cutoff is 33:28
210W   37.1km/h 32:21  +4:27     1:07 inside cutoff

Again, 210W is only 66.6% of the winners power, 37.1km/h is 86.74% of winners speed. Same 2/3 power and >3/4 speed.

Things are pretty even here with a true level playing field for equipment in both cases. In the example above, the 210W rider can be either on a TT bike or a road bike with clip-ons with their position optimally configured (a negligible difference for these examples).


Case 3 - Tricked up Road bike (315W rider) vs Standard Road bike (210W rider).

This is the 'reality case'. Top teams with the strong riders and strong budgets to match pimp their roadies with all the go-fast equipment. Lower budget / first time riders are typically on standard road bikes and equipment.

Power  Speed    Time   GC Diff   Notes
315W   41.5km/h 28:55            +20% cutoff is 34:42
210W   35km/h   34:17  +5:22     0:25 inside cutoff


The example rider on a standard road bike putting out 210W is A LOT closer to getting time cut, and a lot further down on GC.

Banning TT bikes means the equipment used is a HUGE deciding factor. The GC time gaps are greater. The result is the racing is less even.

Throw in a course with wind, corners, dead roads, hills, that cutoff will be a tour ending reality for more riders in 2015, and that isn't fair.

"I'm a bike racer damn it, give me a real bike to ride!"

---

Solutions.... 

Is it as easy as increasing time-cuts on TT stages? Not quite. GC time gaps are still greater when there is a disparity of equipment in use. This could also encourage riders to conserve more on a TT stage and 'save their legs', the whole reason time cuts exist.

Do they need to better define what can/can't be used in a 'road bike TT'? Maybe. It'll be outside the already comprehensive UCI rules, then they'll have to ensure commissars are skilled up on the new rules, and enforce them. Do TTs need MORE rules?!

The most logical solution? No change. Allow TT bikes, as per the published UCI regulations. Those who can't afford the cost/logistics of TT bikes can use clip-on aero bars. That'll set them back $50 per rider, add another $100-$200 for a 2nd hand TT helmet.

If you're a low budget team, then invest in training time and know-how to make the most of what you've got. This is all part of the sport. And an assumed task if you're competing at the National level within Australia.

If the organisers choose to ban TT bikes/bars in the NRS, they are choosing to put the very teams they're trying to help at a disadvantage, not to mention stunting the progress and professionalism of the sport at the same time.

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

---

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

---

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:

Australian National Masters Road Time Trial Championships 2013 (MMAS2)

With the push to be 100% for this TT it was a relief to have it over and done... and won! The earlier riders in the day were scoring PBs on the course with a lovely tail wind pushing them up the hill, later in the day we weren't so lucky with the wind almost at a stand still for us. Huge kudos to Man Mountain John Cain (Giant Celtic, MMAS5) setting time of the day and trimming a few seconds from my course record from last year.

Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

In MMAS2 there were a few unknowns and a few knowns. Allan Sieper was a DNS. Peter Milostic was there to defend his MMAS2 title from last year. I had a pretty average ride to be honest. I knew I was gaining on Milostic at the turn around, but not by the same amount I put into him at the NSW State Champs a few weeks ago. The push to the line was over before I knew it. I didn't quite make it to Milostic's wheel, but wasn't far off.

5th Australian Masters TT title in a row. Next year it is back in Ballarat and I hope the lead up won't involve broken bikes and broken bones. Next up, a few days off then back into training, racing, starving, and aiming the Shiv at the Tour of Bright TT. It is going to be FAST!

MMAS2 Time Trial Results:
Place    Name            Club                           Speed   Time
1   107  Shane MILLER    St Kilda Cycling Club INC, VIC 44.42   0:30:23.38
2   108  Peter MILOSTIC  Penrith CC, NSW                43.20   0:31:15.10
3   110  Adam SIMONELLI  Ipswich CC, QLD                42.28   0:31:56.02
4   114  Adam KISS       Goulburn CC, NSW               41.30   0:32:41.40
5   119  Mark KEEFFE     Lidcombe Auburn CC , NSW       41.06   0:32:52.60
6   113  ADAM LOCKWOOD   Norwood CC, SA                 40.34   0:33:28.10
7   116  David RUBIN     Manly Warringah CC, NSW        39.90   0:33:49.91
8   118  Alex ARANCIBIA  Sutherland Shire CC, NSW       39.55   0:34:07.84
9   112  Nicholas GEORGE Ipswich CC, QLD                39.31   0:34:20.53
10  120  Jason MAHONEY   Vikings Cycling Club, ACT      36.25   0:37:14.49

2013 CA National TT Championships - 47.4km/h. Top 10!

Photo by Jason Richards

The lead up events, training sessions, and recon laps of the course were all worth it.


It doesn't matter what brand of bike you're on, or who you're sponsored by in a TT when the clock is ticking. Just ride hard and keep going.


It is only the people around you that count.




- People who went to the event to ring cow bells and shout.
- The people who took photos and posted them online for everyone to see.
- Competitors sharing 'good lucks' at the start and 'well dones' at the end.
- The officials behind the scenes running the show.
- And if you're lucky enough, your own support people handing you a cold drink when you're warming up, or taking your bike off you at the end when all you want to do is collapse in a heap.

All these people are the event.

Mars and Subaru might be plastered all over the place helping CA fund the event but I still had to buy a bloody full priced Mars Bar... and our Subaru!

The biggest surprise to me was how many people followed the results. The messages I received after the race from both cyclists and non cyclists have all been awesome.  Support from the people is something you can't buy.

37km at 47.4km/h was good enough for 10th place at the 2013 CA National TT Championships. Let's go faster next year!



Results: CyclingNews

Committing Somewhat

As a fan cycling I read the odd blog and opinion articles by other top amateurs and pros, most who are a lot higher up in the cycling food chain than I am. A new favourite is Huon Genesys rider Jono Lovelock and his work over on The Roar. An insiders view on things relevant to the local cycling fan, and bike racer in all of us. Add his work to your bookmark list, you won't be disappointed.

Yesterday I read an article by a very successful professional cyclist entitled "Committing Fully" published over on SBS Cycling Central. You can read the article here. I loved the title. I wanted a look-in at what it takes to achieve so much success on the bike. 

It started out well. Outlining a few of the more obscure times of the day to train, giving up family time or that extra Christmas pudding. Things I think every serious cyclist/athlete can relate to. Further into the article we're hit with references to the pro men vs women salary debate, the amount of punters in bunch rides acting the fool, there is even a reference (crack) on how serious Strava users take their KOM hunting by using race wheels for what are essentially training rides.

Wait a minute! Wasn't this article about what it takes to achieve the highest levels of success? Why am I now feeling offended? Probably because I'm a cyclist seen as a punter/amateur by the author, and I'm someone who uses Strava (albeit not with "race wheels"). I ended up ignoring the key details of the article about the commitment required for success and I was left feeling like I was the target of these references to the daily niggles that irritate a professional cyclist. I really want to think I'm not. But I must be. I am that every-day punter on two wheels. Bugger. To cheer myself up, I wrote my own version of the same article.

I present my story......

Committing Somewhat

We left the family behind in Ballarat on Christmas day to spend a week up at Falls Creek with other like-minded people. We loved every second of it. Alarm buzzing, 9am New Years day, rolling out of bed and looking forward to smudging chamios cream on my choad and cranking out more intervals on the TT bike at altitude with my good mate and training partner. I don't have a coach, I don't have a written plan, I follow a path cemented by a few good years of experience only.

There is already a hive of activity outside. People starting their runs, coming back from a swim session, and the occasional overweight cyclist rolling into the village after taking 2-3hrs to get up the 30km climb from Mt Beauty. Everyone pushing themselves hard, some harder than others, all with a similar goal of becoming a better athlete, a better person, or just to feel alive. These people don't have hangovers, they're too busy ticking off achievements in the first few hours of 2013. 

Passing nods, smiles, and waves are shared between everyone regardless of what activity they've chosen. They all love what we're doing. By any 'normal day' these people are lawyers, doctors, accountants, retirees, students, the unemployed, mums, dads, anything - call them whatever you like. While they're outside enjoying their sport, they are athletes, regardless of their physical appearance or size of their trophy collection at home.

My own goal at this point in time, like a few other club-level cyclists, is to aim for the best possible performance I'm capable of at the National Championships in the Time Trial. Having goals is one of my key motivators to train. It makes every drop of sweat in training worth while. Sacrifices are made, but they're purely personal and pretty selfish when it comes to the bigger picture of life.

Is all this 'investment' in my own goals worth it? Not professionally. Not financially. Not even socially. But nothing compares to the sense of achievement I get out of knowing I've put 100% into something and cross a finish line completely exhausted.

A lot of riders have a more structured season, professional teams, management, and access to world class training facilitates. A number of men and women are even making a living out of this sport. Not me. Nor any of my peers. We're still on the same bikes as the pros. Some of us do the same hours in training too. We're just not as genetically gifted, not as lucky, or just don't have the right contacts in the industry. Not to worry, that isn't why we do it.

When it comes to the Nationals, we mere amateurs have a choice: to enter or not. Some do it for experience of racing a big event, some enter just to see how long they can hold on for. We are the grass-roots athletes. We are the majority of registered racing cyclists. However when it comes to the big events, we hardly even exist. We've paid our money and we're on the start list, that's about it. Posting a mid pack time in the TT or a DNF in the road race after being pulled at 1/2 distance is all we can expect, at the most. The rest is up to us. To tell our friends, family, and supporters what we're up to. To get them involved in our journey.

At a recent bike event I was handed a glossy promotional card and was told I should make the trip to Ballarat to cheer on the pros. "Yeah, thanks buddy, I'll think about it."

My first Open Elite National time trial was in Buninyong in 2007. I came in 21st out of 25 riders. 9 minutes down on a multi-time national TT champion who has now bowed out of the sport due to a doping violation. Was I fighting for the green and gold jersey on that day? No way. I was just trying to ride as fast as I could. Clean.

Six years on, over 100 time trials, a few Open TT wins, multiple National Masters TT titles on the road and track to my name. I've been passionate (obsessive) about my quest for self improvement. I've followed a similar path to those professionals in regard to nutrition, travelling, sacrifices, keeping within the same UCI regulations (no drugs, equipment regulations, etc). Is this interesting, maybe. Do you really care? Probably not.

What did I do the morning before I got married a few weeks back? A 40km TT course recon in Ballarat. Was I in bed before 12am on New Years? Yes. Do you care? Probably not.

This is just what I do. And I love it.

I'm not alone though. There are 1000s of people just like me. Some going a little slower, some going a faster. If they're on bikes, running, swimming - who cares? They're active, they're athletes, and they're awesome!

I don't do too many bunch rides. Most of my training is structured, either indoors or outside trying to rip up a Strava segment on my training wheels. As I've mentioned, I'm goal orientated. If there is a Strava segment from A to B that I can aim for while training, I'll have a red-hot go at it. It turns a rather dead section of road into a race, at any time of the day.

Just be aware that:

• I'm not a pro and I've never been paid a salary in this sport. I envy those who are, and who have.
• I've beaten a few pros in a few different races. It didn't mean a thing to them, their employer, or my financial state.
• I cringe when reading about the day to day struggles of paid professional cyclists that we all encounter as athletes. They're the lucky ones living their dreams, ffs.

So why do I bother? Ever since I learnt to ride a bike I've loved to go fast, then faster again. Without a coach there is nobody telling me what to do or when to do it. The motivation is mine, and mine alone. If I fail, I am to blame. If I eat the chocolate cake, then I've eaten the chocolate cake. I'll ride it off in tomorrows session.

Today is 40 degrees outside. Too hot to train on the road. I've loaded up a new Sufferfest TT video I paid for yesterday and I'll get stuck into it at 100% on the ergo. That is my plan. Is this interesting, maybe. Do you really care if I do it? Probably not.

Only 5 days to go till Nationals. 6 days till I'm back at work.

2012 Australian Masters Road Time Trial Championships - Breadalbane, October 3rd 2012

No tales or race commentary, just a huge thank-you to everyone who helped me on the journey to the 2012 Australian Masters Time Trial Championships in Breadalbane (NSW) last week. Winning my 4th consecutive title and setting the fastest time of the day involved a lot more than riding flat out for 30 minutes.




MMAS1 Results                       
1     Shane MILLER     Coburg CC            30:02.28
2     Stephen LANE     Coburg CC            31:49.57
3     Brad HANNAFORD   Sydney Uni Velo Club 32:37.97
4     Kenneth WEBSTER  Canberra CC          33:12.68
5     Alexander GALE   Sydney Uni Velo Club 33:37.16
6     Bradley DREW     Vikings CC           34:30.92
7     Matthew BROWN    Central Coast CC     35:38.04
8     Glenn HARRIS     Illawarra CC         38:06.82
Full Results - All Grades
Photo set from Tony Reeckman

• Team Kosdown - Our primary sponsor. Special mention to Chief Smurf, Kos Samaras for supporting our training and racing adventures week in - week out.
• Bike'n'Bean - The Specialized Shiv TT bike. The fastest chunk of carbon around. It looks pretty nice too.
• THULE Australia - Racks, luggage, and support to get us to races so far from home.
• Hydralyte Sports - Taking care of us for all things hydration.
• Coburg Cycling Club - The online support/promo and their summer TT series.
• Cycling NSW - For running a great show again for the Masters Nationals. The numbers and support they offer Masters racing is impressive.
• Cycling Victoria/Cycling Australia - For the online coverage of the Masters Championships via Twitter and Facebook. The CV ITT Series is great prep for championship events.
• Clubs who run and support TTs throughout the year - 2012 TT Calendar.
• Stuart Vaughan - Wheel expertise.
• Raoul Luescher (Luescher Teknik) - All things aero, all things carbon.
• Stephen Lane (Human Performance Technologies) - Cutting edge expertise, the lab tests, and for keeping me on my toes in TTs!
• Tony Reeckman - Our generous host at Château de Reeckman. He takes a great photo too! Watch out for his 2013 calendar soon. His 2012 one was was a sell-out.

Warm up - Front wheel selection made at the last minute when the wind dropped.
Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

Show time!

Go time!

Cranking it at the start.
Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

Final few hundred meters... chasing a sub 30min!
 Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

Official looking podium shot....
Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

Aero looking podium shot! :)
Photo (c) www.tonyreeckmanphotography.com

Post race interview #1 - Cycling NSW

Post race interview #2 - Goulburn Post.

Post race interview #3 - Wimmera Mail Times.

My travel buddy, or more officially, my fiancé... who knocked
2mins off her PB on the NSW TT course for 3rd in the WMAS1!

Cycling Australia - Rules for some, rules for others.

First up have a read of this:  http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/greenedge-use-of-radio-questioned-in-australian-time-trial-championship

GreenEdge pressured Cycling Australia officials into changing the rules, reportedly only hours before an event. I don't buy into the timing. The team would have packed their race radios long before they'd left home base. This wasn't a last minute decision by GreenEdge after finding the now banned radios behind seat the team van from years past. This was a calculated and planned move. For reasons that nobody other than CA can explain, it worked.

"The result would not have changed". Bullshit. GreenEdge riders now had the potential to receive pacing strategy, time gaps, splits, road conditions, pumping music.... anything to distract from the pain helps. In a game of one-percenters this makes a difference.

I can't put a finger on which side is more evil. GreenEdge for the planning and pressuring of officials, or CA for actually caving into this pressure (then coming out with some pretty embarrassing comments about what the chain of events.)....?

After GreenEdge successfully pressured CA into a rule change. Was everyone informed? No. Did anyone else pre-plan this and pack their radios? No. Is this fair? No.

Cycling Australia Member Protection Policy states "....our support and implementation of the sport industry principles and values outlined in The Essence of Australian Sport - principles of fairness, respect, responsibility and safety." Read further into that document and you'll learn they've broken their own code of conduct. This is a serious mistake they've made.

A lot of focus is put into setting up pathways for juniors in the sport to develop into top riders. What example does this set for them off the bike if the shiny-new-everyone-loves-them Aussie team can pressure CA officials into getting their own way, disadvantaging their competitors in the process.

"Just a storm in a teacup". From the UCI down, enough tea parties already!

This isn't just about the little guys.... Adam Hansen (Lotto) was denied use of radio in this event.