Oceania Championships 4th elite women 5th elite men

Carl Jones – 5th Elite Men

5th place was not quite where I wanted to finish the season off but I was happy to slip onto the podium as the only Kiwi. The only rider I hadn't beaten leading into this race was Sid Taberlay from Australia but at last years world champs he was only just in front of me, and the boys that have been beating him earlier in the season I had also beaten in Dunedin.
I was hoping the change in training over the last 2 weeks would get me out of my little hole I got myself in from a long season. We were a bit unlucky with how it panned out with the 1st UCI race been early in the year we got back into training after the worlds a bit to early and it has finaly caught up. lesson learnt.

But yeah the race was pretty cool, hundreds of people lined the track mainly around the rock garden but fair enough as it didn't dissapoint, on the first lap it felt like the Aussies were playing with us, we were hardly moving at points but then after a lap it was balls to the walls and it got hard... I lost sight of the 4 Aussies in front of me after a few laps and another Aussie Chris Jongewaard was snapping at my heals behind, going into the last lap he was closing the gap big time but then unlucky for him had a mechanical with half a lap to go.

Well done to the Aussie boys Dan, Locky, Pauly and Sid Good luck for the World Cups, and the Olympic selection, Hope to see ya latter in the year.

Not to sure what the rest of the year holds for me I have to do some work and hopefully get to WC's latter in the year but the bank will decide that. Latter today ill find some goggles and bordies, and my running shoes are in my truck, 1 month to NZ Xterra... can I make a come back??

Thanks to all my Family and Friends for coming over to watch and Evan for getting us back on track as much as he could.
Thanks very much to Bike Culture, we were in the shop every day last week. Thanks to Sam Thompson from Waiariki for having a tent up for us and all the guidance and pre riding and conditioning over the last few weeks (years).
Big thanks to Trek bikes they are a big step up for us and they have stepped our proformance's up
GEAX tires we both ran Barro Race tires they are perfect for Rotorua conditions. We are also on the international website now :)
Enervit, Adidas eye wear, Ant at the Physiotherapy Clinic, Nigel from Endura

Katie – 4th Place Elite women

Finished the season strong.

I have really struggled this year following nationals and It has been a season full of obstacles, illness, dental work, and illness again leading into Oceania championships, although this was not my own illness. Sadly my grandad was diagnosed with acute leukemia September last year given 2 weeks to 2 months to live. Grandad is tough this toughness is admirable and is the reason he is very successful. He has easily surpassed this time frame, working and managing his business up until a week ago. This week however he took a bad turn as is now undergoing intense treatment. Thursday I was ready to go home, everyone however encouraged me to stay and see my final race through. This was hard for me but once the call was made race is what I did!

The race itself was HARD! I rode strong but with no real Kazaz! It was a demanding track with no let up throughout the entire lap. I enjoyed the track but struggled with some sections in particular Genesis, more of a power track and one that hurt not only physically but required a lot of mental power to keep focused when driving out of corners and up climbs. Off the start I did not match the pace with no major acceleration but as the climb went on I worked into 3^rd place through ‘genesis’ however I was passed and unable to match the speed of Jenni King. This lap I nailed the rock garden, stoked and feeling good, climbing strong into lap 2 but struggled again through ‘genesis’ and got loose on the rock garden loosing time with a sit down. The race continued this way although after the lead moto went through before the rock garden I opted for the Nana line not wanting to get ridden down by the elite men who fly down the section both on and off their bikes on occasions. The support on track was awesome big thanks in particular to Carl's family aunties, uncles, grandparents, cousins, Catherine Carl's mum who is so supportive and coach Evan.

All and all 4^th place in a strong women's field, New Zealand national champion Karen Hanlan 1^st place, Olympian Rosara Joseph 2^nd place and Australian National Champion Jenni King 3^rd. Pretty pleased with that!!

Each of these titles ‘National champion’, ‘Oceania champion’, and Olympian are all titles I aspire to obtain. I am now more determined than ever not only be a strong rider in a strong field but be the best in the field and with athletes like Karen and Rosara to look up to along with a great coach, academy of sport, sponsors, family and supporters this is very achievable!

Dick Tonks former New Zealand rower and influential coach was a guest speaker at our athlete function early this week and his speech enforced that it is not necessarily the athlete with the most natural talent but the one prepared to work the hardest ad there is no substitute for training as sport is unnatural it has to be trained… and has to be fun!

… I can and am prepared to do that, work hard and have fun!! :)