Oceanias

Last race of the season and we didn't quite get this one right.  Our heads were in it but a few decisions regarding training during our week leading in left our legs with no snap the top end just wasn’t there.  Gutted to get it wrong for a big race but shit happens, we know exactly what went wrong the whole week, nothing to do with the coaching of Evan just bad decisions on trying to recover and sharpen the legs on our behalf. Although 10points for being recovered on the start line a shame the legs were enjoying it a bit too much and cruise mode was on. We won’t be taking deviations from the coaches’ master plan in future we didn't execute the sessions as they were outlined and suffered the consequences. The course however was great fun and boasted some challenging rocky sections and was a good honest mtb track, passing was all out railing in the bush or putting the power down hard when there was opportunity.

Katie’s race U23 women’s Runner up Oceania’s

Due to new rules the U23 is run as a separate race, a major issue was that we were set off 10metres back on the elite women which lead to massive congestion up the first climb and did not give the chance to open up, further frustration was it also allowed for gaps to form as we weaved in amongst the elites to try to get clear tracks. I really did get frustrated after the first lap as I watched the leading U23 ride away while I was behind another rider (elite) struggling to get a chance to get past. I had to really focus back on just riding hard and forget all this for the next laps, I managed to get back on the tail of the leading U23 however one tricky section of the track which only 2 Australian women had dialled one being Rebecca Henderson the lead U23 and the other elite Rowena Fry, meant that Rebecca opened up a gap again which she extended each lap. As mentioned I did not have the legs or the top end speed on the day and could not make up for missing this technical section, which was very disappointing and cost me the title. Rebecca Henderson took the win after a great ride with outstanding skill, I placed 2^nd, and Samara Sheppard 3^rd.  All and all in a strong field we were amongst the top elites for our 4 lap’s even despite our difficult start.

I am really happy with my season this year; I have ridden consistently and am bridging the gap to elite riders who last year were a long way ahead. I think this consistency and improvement in my racing along with mistakes I have made which I can learn from and work on in training to come will equip me for nailing a great international session this year.

Carl’s race

All week I was finding it hard to recover, I went out for lap’s of the track learning my lines every day some days doing a lap and giving up I was finding it hard to get the legs back after only 6 day’s recovery from Colville Connection, a 72km mtb race which I struggled with the distance and pretty much wrecked myself to get 2^nd place, cool race though.

I was trying my hardest the whole race and just continually lost place after place until I finished up 10^th bit of a shit way to end the season ae!

Time for a break – Tramping, camping, study, and a lot of working to earn the money to get to Europe!!

Waiariki 2011 Athlete Function

Tuesday was the athlete induction day at Waiariki where the new athletes were welcomed in and everyone got stuck into some team bluiding at the lake. We were a bit late coming down from Auckland but it looked as though everyone had a great day and we joined in the last activities which as usual invovled getting into the lake.

Wednesday night was the more formal side of things, the 2011 athlete function. Formally a number of new athletes were welecomed to their squads and achievements and progess of the accademy are celebrated.

I was super stoked to recieve the manaakitanga award for 2011 for high academic achievements and contribution to the spirit of Waiariki! I must make one pretty good coffee (thanks for teaching me Tim, its clearly paying off). The award is back up on the wall at Tihi with one very jealous Carl whom had possesion of this award last year :)

Samara Sheppard won the Waiariki athlete of the year award after her sucessfull 2010, While Sam Sutton took out the World champion award for taking on the World and coming out on top!!!

Thanks Waiariki :)

National Championship photos

Waiariki team BBQ

Elite and U23 men start

Carl holding his breath as patty gets ready to hit it

womens and U23 Start

spot the Waiariki riders yeyah new tops

sam must have been in the bush taking this one

the pain face - Running is not my specialty

in the zone

in the 'house of pain'

still in the 'house of pain'

faster running than riding 

National U23 champion :)

Elite mens national Champion 2011

Carl, Dirk, Mikey, Cabin, Brad - Elite mens podium

Rosara, Karen, Katie, Bridget, Eloise - elite womens podium

Photo's by Sam Thompson

It’s going to be a good year - Both National Champions... Yeeeha!

CARL JONES ELITE MENS NATIONAL CHAMPION 2011

The best day of my biking career so far... I wanted this so bad for the last 6months have been dedicated to this race to prove a point. The day of the race I felt slightly tired and I love that feeling, In warm up my bike felt light and I felt fast, it always feels like this when I’m peaking so I knew I was at my best before the start. Race started with Waiariki team mate Patrick Avery boosting off the front and me slotting in 2^nd this is how it stayed for the 1^st 2 km then we were into the hill where Dirk came around me and attacked, I went with him and we rode away from the other boys, as he sat down I still had more in the legs and for the 1^st time this year I attacked Dirk back harder than I ever had before and gapped him, and rested on the decent so I could go again on the 2^nd hill. The 2^nd hill was the technical up and down section of the track and due to the rain of the week we were running for a few hundred meters, (I hate running even enough to not run at all when it says to on my programme that I was following to every detail) once at the top it was a slippery traverse across the top until the DH where I was riding until on the 3^rd lap I worked out I could run faster down it. My lead slowly increased until I was out to 2min 30 gap half way through the last lap and was told by Evan to back off (the decent) and seal the deal.

I had pushed my body well beyond its limits and was cramping very bad from lap 2 but I was determined to win for my family and for my poppa who died at Christmas he loved my racing and always wanted me to do well and be there to see it, and for everyone who has put all the effort into my career so far, there it was for them. The goal Evan and I set 5 years ago to win the elite national title was ticked off the long list

KATIE O’NEILL U23 WOMENS NATIONAL CHAMPION, 3^RD ELITE 2011

Yesterday I got back what I wanted the U23 national title. The build up was great and l felt focused and able to overcome any obstacles. Even down to taping my knee due to hurting my tendon and making custom repairs to the broken shoe which caused it the night before nationals. Very happy they lasted but looking forward to getting a new pair of luois Garnier shoes this week, which I have missed this season!

I had a terrible start to the race I slipped down the edge of the track trying to get around a rider and back on the wheels of the lead girls FRUSTRATING to say the least, I managed to get past and then pass another rider to get the track clear, from here I really put in the effort to chase. By the top of the climb I had closed in on Fiona Mcdermid and passed her during this lap, from here it was Karen Hanlan and Rosara out ahead. The second lap I continued to chase but made mistakes when I was pushing, it was from this point I felt the most important thing was to secure the race I was in, which I had a great enough lead to keep within comforts to take the U23 win. Nationals was definitely raced more with my head than the body but I had done what was set out and cemented the win.

Congratulations to Rosara taking the elite women’s win, and Karen Hanlan for putting up a great fight for the tiltle.  What a machine first year mtbing and second place in elite womens. Last but not least Carl who put it all out there and got the result!

Katie and Carl

Thanks from the both of us to everyone who has played part in helping us achieve our goals with a special thanks to our families, Evan Mcrae our coach, Bergamont bikes  Craig and Philipp, Endura clothing,  Waiariki Jane Borren and Sam Thompson, and the bike culture guys we really appreciate everything.

Final round NZMTB Cup Christchurch

Its been a great week in christchurch. Staying with family and getting to catch up with everyone is always good so have throughly enjoyed it with my brother even timing an operation perfectly so he had his lovely sister to come and visit and ask lots of question like does it hurt and many more obvious annoying ones.

We also had a chance to catch up with the bikecycle/bergamont guys and see the great things they have planned for 2011. One thing we trialed for the week was sportique, we loved the massage cream which helped to recover the legs and Carl really enjoyed the shammy cream which he happily announced at prize giving. Its worth while giving the products a try, anyone who raced nationals has a sample in their pack and to get 5% off just mention Carl’s or my name to bikecycle.co.nz just give them a call and your all set.

Now to the racing –

My race  (katie)

I was really excited going into this race, to race Rosara Joseph is really exciting as she is such a talent. My race did not go supper well however, with some more mechanical issues (I miss bikeculture!!) and just feeling not too recovered from the weekend before, running really isn’t my specialty. Never the less I still placed 3^rd in elite and hung in there. I followed the race with a nice recovery swim and a huge meal back at dad’s which his partner Chris had kindly prepared, will get the bike sorted tommorrow and then Monday will be the journey to Dunedin.

Carls Race

First few laps was quite tame I lead the 1^st lap then my self Mikey and Anton Copper  boosted off the front every lap on the climb but were caught on the down by the locals. Then after 3 laps Anton attacked, it caught me a bit off gaurd as I was behind Mike at the time and I chased hard been 15 seconds off Anton at the top but then he really delt to me on the down hill from then on I was chasing him for the remainder of his laps (5) but he did still deal to me. After this it was just me Vs Kyle Wood who has really shot up at the right time close to nationals, I started to back off slightly towards the top of the hill but then he was closer to me than I had expeceted,  I had to put the head down again and give 1 last push taking my 1^st elite win this season without an inform Dirk in the feild.

Lets do it all again next week a J    

Yum banana cake is now iced!! So we are off (Jane promiss this wont be seen in the skinfolds!!)

UCI cat 2 Nelson

We arrived in sunny nelson on Thursday to stay with Mark and Eloise Fry at their beautiful home just past Richmond. We were very fortunate to be invited to stay, we have redirected our mail and will be moving in for good... we wish.

The Nelson track was mean, really fun to ride and made for great racing especially with the stacked feilds with a number of international riders also in there.

Katies race

It was all go off the line Karen lead the climb ahead of Fiona and myself, and then we were hot on her wheel for the descent and the first lap continued like this. In one of the last descents down to the start finish I had an off, back up within seconds to come through the start finish 6seconds down and charging back on to the wheels ahead of me. As I was climbing up the gravel I heard a rubbing and thought bugger I have bent my rotar then as I turned into the first descent I had an almighty snap and that was the back break gone. This lap was a long 5km of running, riding, and crashing as I slipped into 4^th then managed to climb back into 3^rd as going up was not a problem, however had to run the last few km’s and went backwards through the feild. I made it to the tech zone where I was completely unprepared (Our sparewheels were not arriving until christchurch) Luckily Paul Mcdowell and Mark Fry helped sort me out a wheel which invoveld swapping cassettes and alsorts so a huge thank you to them 26minutes later I completed lap 2 and was on my way. I was determined to get back on the podium and get some all important UCI points and cash however the gears werent holding, bottles were missed and I got every bit of bad luck out of the way.

I now eargerly await national champs, feeling in great form and ready to come back from this dissapointing race. Thanks to Jeremy Ingles for lending me his wheel for a few days and the guys at bikeculture for sending Mikes own race wheel down with instructions to ride it like i stole it. THANX J

Carls Race

Feeling really great I was ready for this. Off the start I was matched for the pace, however I then started to go backwards and didn’t really feel as though I was firing. With a bit of frustration I downed a whole peakfuel in one go and within minutes I was off on the chase, trying to get back to the front end of the race. I ended up having a good battle with Mikey which ended in a sprint finish for 3^rd with Mikey taken the line honors. Dirk and George battled at the front until Dirk slipped away from our roadie friend, blood mountainbiker G-bizz.

Here is a link to the results

http://www.mtbnz.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/xc3-nelson-results.pdf

Lap 3 and 4 for me aint right looks like I’m Nino and then just myself again. Looking forward to getting it right and brining some form to nationals.

http://www.shuttersport.co.nz/galleries/rabodirect-2011-nz-mtb-cross-country-cup?page=1
Photos can be found on the link above

Up dates and N-Duro 2 or 3

Nduro 2 Race cancellation

2 weekends ago saw bad weather and as a result two mountain bike events were cancelled in Rotorua. This was a great call, as we collected the course markings on Monday and Tuesday we soon found an obstacle course - trees everywhere, new lakes had formed on the tracks and many slips to deal with, to ride that day would have been dangerous. The weekend free of racing allowed for some indoor cricket so it was not all terrible.

Golden wedding anniversary celebrations

The following weekend was spent celebrating Kath and Gordon Smith (Carl's grandparents) 50th wedding anniversary. a great day full of lots of lovely food, and an interesting training session which resulted in the state highway flooding obstructing our path home and leading to some bush bashing. Pretty amazing what mother nature was throwing down that weekend.

beside the road/river, up the bank full of goarse and long grass - hating every metre

25minutes later: the other side - (4wd's had water over the bonnets in the middle)

N-Duro Race 2

A hard weeks training later, the hardest yet and it brings us to the N-duro today. Today was again double silver we are making a habit of finishes up in the same position.

Carl’s race – Open Men

1. Dirk Peters – 2:02:02
2. Carl Jones – + :57
3. Sam Shaw – + 2:24

The day started of with alot of pain after a new core workout on friday and a hard week of training with the race to finish off the last hard full week of training. I was very nervous warming up as I was hurting but couldn't get the heart rate up but I new now it is all or nothing.

Race started and I found my self slipping off the front, however after the 1st few mins Dirk came around me and the race was on he took off and me and Patrick Avery were the only ones able to go with him, it only lasted a little while untill we were all riding by our selves, I had quite an up and down race but I was still fast even when I wasn't firing on all the clinders. I had a battle with Sam Shaw for most of the race going back and fwd. Dirk and myself could see each other a few times in the race and we pushed the pace even harder. Every thing is just slipping into place nicely now and I am feeling really quick, so all is good.

Carl

katies Race – Open Women

1. Annika Smail – 2:18:05
2. Katherine O’Neill – + 2:51
3. Karen Hanlen – + 4:41

Feeling appropriately smashed from the weeks training I was getting really nervous this morning, unsure of what the race would bring and if the body could handle this session.

Warming up like Carl I was not feeling great which only increased the feeling that I would not keep pace with speedy Annika and Karen, the race however surprised me a bit.

I started off alright up with Annika and Karen, although this was short lived as I hit a really rough patch through soak hole and only just made it out the other side. From here I was on my own and when I felt good I would put hammer down which eventually paid off as I caught Karen down ‘pondy's’ and managed to finished up in 2nd place. I was unable to catch Annika, in the pursuit to do so I suffered from some intense cramp in the calf muscles even dropping me to the ground when I tried to run through the water crossing. The cramp was a result of not taking on enough water as I ran out in the Chinese menu and only had Coke from here (not the ideal drink for dehydration). I will be trying a product called Elete in the next race this will give that extra edge in hydration.

Katie