The building of Team Skoda Racing

So with Matt away at the Tour of Southland, I (Brad) thought it was a great time to sneak on here and write about the team adventures over the last month. It's fair to say we have had one of our biggest months both on and off the bike. 

Off the bike

October started with the official launch of Team Skoda Racing. This has been in the planning for the best part of 9 months and its great to finally announce the partnership. Skoda have been a big supporter of cycling both here and overseas for a number of years. When the opportunity came up to partner with them it made perfect sense as we share the same passion. You will see the team supported around the country in the latest model Octavia wagon and Superb wagon. We have just got these back from the sign writers and they look pretty cool.

Our Team launch in Auckland where we launched the new kit and car

Also joining the team for the current season is a whole load of new sponsors to go with our existing sponsors. New to the team is Magellan Cycle Computers, Park Tool, Bontrager Helmets, GoPro Sports Cameras, Whipit IP Business Support and Onfire Design (Graphic Design Company). It's great to see all these companies share in our vision of developing junior talent.

At the start of October we had the official launch of the team at Giltrap Skoda in Auckland. This was a great chance for all of our supporters to get together in the one place and launch the new kit/car and talk in depth to some of our best riders. James Oram has joined the team over the last month (again thanks to a partnership with Skoda) as a mentor rider. This is already paying dividends with some of the younger riders and their development.

James Oram joins the team as a mentor rider

On the bike

We have been full gas with the two North Island teams series over the last month. At the Trust House Series we have had 3 rounds and have taken 2nd places and a number of top 10s. Going in to the round before the weekend we were leading the individual rider in the series, the U23 rider and the teams. We have most likely dropped slightly with the core of our team at the Tour of Southland. 

At the Dynamo Series we have competed in 1 round and took 2nd on the road and 2nd in the teams. This is a new series and it looks like there will be a number of strong teams here as well. 

Joel and Nick fill the leaders and U23 jerseys at the Trust House Series

Outside of the teams series we have had Connor Brown win 2 Oceania titles at the U19 level on the track, Matt has won a stage at the Bay of Plenty tour and the boys look set for a strong Tour of Southland with a 4th placing in the TTT prologue today. We look forward to the action over the next week.

Looking into November we have another round of both the Trust House and Dynamo Series then we head to the NZ Crit Nationals, Around Lake Taupo and Bike the Bridge. This will lead us in to the final team camp for the year and the Novice junior tour in the Manawatu.

Needless to say the racing never stops for the team !!

Thanks for the read and sorry about my spelling. No doubt Matt will be back on board in a few weeks with the inside Southland scoop

Brad

Building Momentum - 2015 Dynamo Winter Series

Having deposited valuable hours following the team camp it was back into racing for the Dynamo Winter Series. With three rounds in as many weeks, the fun rides take one and all for a fast paced tour around the Waikato.

My goal for the series was to walk away having gained the form I was severely lacking in July. For new readers the entire month was bad; so only a protean shift would suffice.

Preparation

Returning from injury, I struggled at the camp but came out the other side motivated to pick up the ball. This meant not only preparing to race through training, but also ensuring my equipment was up to the task.

Avanti Bikes Corsa DR in for some TLC with Richard and the team at A+ Newmarket

Step one was a quick trip to my local bike store in Newmarket for a drivetrain clean and to fit new cables. I’d persevered with shifting worse than 8 speed Claris for far too long through no fault but my own laziness. Not only did this betray the elegance of my shiny Dura-Ace, it was becoming an annoyance of the highest order. So after a quick pit-stop and helping hand from the team at AvantiPlus, my shifting woes were a thing of the past.

A well organized workshop exudes confidence and the promise of a job well done

Round One started in Matamata on a fine day for the time of year. Alex, Connor, Harry and myself comprised the team for the first two rounds with young Kiaan riding as an ambassador for Nature Valley. At just 14 years of age I’m sure he’ll make an appearance in the squad over the next few years.

TRR at Round One in Matamata

Writing in arrears very little happened throughout the day with a number of determined riders prepared to keep things together. Jack Sowry and Steve Furminger made a valiant effort to evade the bunch early on without reward. It was impressive to watch but a fruitless expression of power on a course which denied even the most concerted of efforts.

As things panned out we had two viable options to win; one with myself in a sprint and two, by launching an attack. The finish suited me well with 500 meters (thereabouts) to go after the final corner. This minimized the importance of positioning/technical ability (a couple still managed to find a way to fall off!) through the last turn, allowing ample time to negotiate the pack. Both situations were advantageous in that we could take a free ride if we had someone up the road or engage in the kick if the latter failed. While we didn’t set out with a firm strategy at the start, we were all aware of what was likely to occur and communicated well. As far as I was concerned, I wanted each of our riders to have the freedom to enjoy the race and try their luck; as long as we didn’t work against each other. 

Alex and I heading into the final turn - right in the middle of the madness. Credit - Bob's Bikes

With a couple of kilometres to go Connor attacked after three riders were reeled in. He held it to the line taking Waikato youngster Jared Gray in tow. I wasn’t far behind leading the bunch home for third.

Connor wins Round One - 1st and 3rd for TRR. Credit - Dynamo Events

Round Two was strides ahead as the most enjoyable of all three. Leaving Hamilton bang on ten, the route out was mostly flat followed by two laps of a circuit that featured a small climb before returning to the start/finish. Still unsure of form after the previous week’s cushy ride in the pack I thought it better to get going early. Myself, Logan Griffin, Steve Furminger and Josh Aldridge forced a small margin from the gun, continuing to rotate until being caught a few kilometers out from the climb. That set the benchmark for a positive day of racing with most riders having a dig at some point. I had a couple more cracks on the second lap but missed a later split that appeared to have the win at arm’s length. Feeling a little worse for wear I was contemplating packing it in last time up the climb but decided better of it, seeing the lads on the front. Steve chipped in as well and together it came down to another bunch finish. Although we wound up slightly too far back through the roundabout, Connor did a commendable job helping me scoop up a few places for 2^nd (he came home in 4^th).

 

TRR at Round Two in Hamilton. Alex (second from the left) rode impressively and was dependable as usual helping me make my way around the bunch.

The final round was held around the emerging cycling town of Cambridge. Once again, the weather played ball with no rain and a touch of wind. 

Stephen Cox and the team at Dynamo Events never let the riders down - 'fun, friendly, safe and affordable'. Credit - Dynamo Events

Racing commenced at 10am with a surprising amount of vigour. Another flat course, less challenging than the previous week made things dull and frustrating once the initial pace abated. I weighed up attacking at times only to snuff it after a quick glance at the speedo. The question was, how long could I ride in excess of 45khm? The answer, not very without a determined group off the front! So I left it at that, chewed my bottom lip and waited for an opportunity that never really came.  

Cambridge was another slick event, run professionally with the competitors in mind but mirrored the frustrations I felt in round one. The high average speed was due to the terrain, which sympathised with those aiming to ‘hang on’. No shame here as I’m often in this boat myself and it helps to create the type of finishes I usually enjoy. Such a scenario however, is as much a double bind as a blessing in disguise. That is, any attempt to breakaway becomes very difficult!

While pace was hot on paper the reality tucked away in the bunch was vastly different. Riders surging through to the front on small undulations made a fast pace, an axiom of the series. We weren't where we needed to be at the finish of Round Three. Credit - Dynamo Events

The result in Cambridge was a disappointing 4^th where I was never really in the game at the end. Round 3 was won by Speedwork’s Josh Kuysten who used astute positioning and an excellent blend of flat out pace and technical ability to take the win.

In spite of this, it was a mostly successful series for the team. I left happy with the sensations and aware of the improvements necessary to go one better.

Where to from here?

Through September, October and November TRR will be involved in a wide range of domestic races. Towards the end of next week we’ll line up for the first round of the 2015 Trust House North Island Series.

I’ll let you know how we go.

Thanks for reading!

MM