Tour de Whaka

Mean weekend racing the Tour de Whaka and its 4 stages. The format changed slightly with the TT which was ment to be on Sunday being moved with the threat of really bad weather, and what a good call that was, as Sunday it pelted down for the XC race.

Carl's Weekend of racing: After the Hill Climb we both were winning I was up 15 seconds over Dirk and 45 second over Mike Northcott. We went started at the bottom of direct road and went to the top of frontal labottomy. In a hard training ride I usually get up the hill in around 15 and half mins, so i thought 14 and a half would be a reasonable time for us in the race but the conditions were perfect and I pulled out a 13.25.

The super D was from the top of Spit ends down Pondy dh into Pondy new and onto Rollercoaster. It was a huge 18min 30 secs with a 2min uphill in it, for me and Dirk that 18 odd mins couldn't seperate us. Both of us finishing on the same second. We were 2nd equal with Sam Shaw smashing us by 20 seconds.

On the TT of old chevy I was really nervous because my lead was only 15 seconds and I wanted more.

At the end, after Ra had talked us all up I pulled 12 second more over the 5km track to Dirk,

After day One I had 27 seconds over Dirk, 1.03 over Sam Shaw and Mikey Northcott 1.04. 

Day 2 It was so wet and windy over night the tracks were very flooded but we still had a race to do.

Right from the start I wanted to push it, as it's so closer to nationals so I took off with about 4 attacks from the front few of us along the first few km of road, into the first single track there was a chain of 6 of us at the end of the track there was 4 and then the first hill there was just myself and Dirk. We had a massive battle all the way to the finish with me coming out on top and taking the win of the tour by 28 second.

Carl

Katies Racing:  my first day of racing in the tour was a bit flat. I struggled to put the hammer down in the hill climb, and the nerves were definately high at the top of the hill with the uncertainty of my position. The beauty of a stage race was there were still 3 more races to go. A ride down Billy T was the chosen route to get to the start of the Supper D which is always good fun. We then got to enjoy some interesting 'banter' and stories at the top waiting for our turns. I spent most of my time however eyeing up food, although I was smart enough to ride up with a jacket in my pocket I forgot to pack in something to eat. Stage race nutrition = EPIC FAIL! I managed to score a few lollies thanks Sam and Nigel (mmm straight from a bikers pocket, with no wrapping...). The Super D was good fun and I was stoked to get to the end, to the tent area where my food was waiting... although instantly after consumption I wondered if I would regret eating that much during the TT which was fast approaching. Old Chevy is a testing wee track, requiring effort throughout the whole duration which made for a great TT and no regrets on the food front, I was much more comfortable than the stage prior where all I could think was FOOOD!!.  I finished up the day with around a 1min lead.

 

After the racing we went out to the pig and it was great meal and evening, the guys spent the night on Carls case getting him geed up.

 

The rain set in over night and Sunday morning the XC race was still on. perfectly muddy and wet! There were no real climbs to seperate everyone up or gain big advantages but I hoped I would be able to extend my lead and find my race legs which were not all there the day prior (protest from the interval training during the week, or maybe just the hill climb, along with everyone else's :) ). I really enjoyed racing with a couple of the JNR guys especially if they were infront testing the puddles and not me, although I was the test rider for biggie on the lion trail. On the whole I felt a bit better during the XC race than Saturday, stoked to take the win. It was a great event to open up a get some race hardening before Dundein our first National round.

 

Katie

 

 

PHOTO/BEN FRASER Daily post

 

check out the Daily post write up. http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/jones-pips-peters-for-win/1231605/  

2012

 

Its all on, the racing begins this week for us and we are very excited to get into racing on our new Treks. We have been training hard and trying to avoid racing to soon, but with 3 weeks until nationals the racing kicks off. This weekend in Rotorua, N-duro events are holding 2 separate events.

First up is an Eliminator race which will be held in the government gardens, Rotorua on Friday night. This is a new XC style of racing, its all for the spectators and its a hell of a lot of fun for the riders. for those who don't no what an Eliminator is… its 4 people on the start line racing around a short track of 1-2mins with the top 2 riders going through to the next round. The track’s usually include some tight turns, jumps and or other obstacles. Its going to be good fun and the more spectators the better so head on down if you are out and about.

The second event is the Tour de Whaka similar to a roadie tour but mtb’s and in the Whaka forest of Rotorua. Saturday and Sunday will see 4 stages with a Hill Climb a Super D down hill on Saturday, and an XC race and a Time trial on Sunday.

Its going to be an epic weekend here hopefully the weather turns it on and if you can get over to watch or race make sure you do.

Bikes for sale

Both our bergamonts are for sale if anyone you know or yourself are keen on bikes let us know.

we have only owned them 7 months so they are still boosting :)

  Give us an email. They are on trade me some where im trying to sort it with trade me cause i cant find them

The week has been all on for us!

Waiariki Academy of Sport camp - Ohope

Wednesday through to Friday was the Waiariki academy of sport Camp - this camp is for Tier 1 athletes and those who are actively engaged with the academy which included athletes from all squads mtb, golf, Kayak and the general sports squad.

The camp was full on - we had seminars covering a range of areas educating us to excel in our sports, with Craig Tiriana speaking with us about the media, which is a useful tool in promoting ourselves, sponsors and of course our sports. Sam Thompson - physical conditioner at Waiariki also presented us with information on Nutrition, Recovery (SLEEP), and Strength. Also included in the 3 days there were sport specific training sessions for the bike squad this entailed a road ride to Ohope on Wednesday and a mountain bike session in the hills and team building activities 6am runs along the beach, orienteering, surf life saving activities, a boot camp activity, and a much needed pool recovery session.

This camp is ultra important in recapping on the year what has been accomplished and getting us ready for the year ahead it also helps strengthen the Waiariki culture which this year especially after the recent departure of leader Jane Boren is essential in keeping us strong in the pursuit of our goals with the support of each other.

New Bikes Arrive In Time For Huka XL

Photo by: ANDREW WARNER

FRESH WHEELS: Katie O'Neill (left) and Carl Jones will be riding new bikes when they race the Huka XL on Saturday.

Check out the daily post article by clicking this link in Thursdays paper showing off our new sponsors and bikes as we prepared for the Huka XL in Taupo http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/duo-face-some-hard-work-in-big-money-race/1184907/.

Trees Fall like dominos in The Huka XL

After the camp was over on Friday we packed up and down to Taupo to register for the Hula XL race which doubled as the Marathon National Championships. We spent the night at home getting ourselves and NEW bikes (which arrived on Wednesday) ready for the race. With a few hours sleep and a 4.30am start it was race day GAME ON or so everyone thought as 7am rolled around and we were charging off the start line. The weather however, threw out strong winds had other plans. After about 40km the race was called off, trees were falling like dominos on the track and it was too dangerous with the amount of riders on course to continue. Karen Hanlan was leading the women’s, followed by Fiona Mcdermid and then Annika Smail in 3rd with Katie in fourth. While the men’s was lead by Mike Northcott at the time of call off with Dirk Peters in 2nd and Tim Wilding in 3rd, Carl was in 5th. It is of course disappointing that the race was called off however under the circumstance every rider understood the risk with many grateful to just get out of the forest after some close close calls.



2011/2012 Waiariki Trek

This year we are fortunate to be welcoming some new sponsors.

 

Our major Sponsors 2011/2012 will be Waiariki and new addition Trek New Zealand.

 

We are really excited to be on board with Trek New Zealand and the opportunities they bring, including some amazing new race machines!

  

Last week we received our road bikes the Madone 4.7

 

 

 

and tomorrow will see the arrival of our Elite 9.9 SSL race mountain bike

 

 

other sponsors we will be welcoming are;

• Enervit - nutrition products
• Geax - Tyres
• Rotorua Cycle Centre - Local Rotorua Trek dealer, the place to get your Trek :)

we also want to mention the sponsors who will be continuing their support for the 2011/2012 to come;

Bike Culture - Bike culture will be continuing to be our mechanics keeping our bikes in primo condition. these guys give us endless support, definitely the place to go to get your bike fixed in Rotorua!!

 

Waiariki - as mentioned Waiariki are continuing as a major sponsor as we continue our studies, and involvement with the Academy of Sport. Waiariki invests a huge amount in its athletes helping us gain results.

 

2012 Scholarships and applications for Waiariki Academy of Sport close 30 November 2011, if your sport is a focus but you want to continue study check it out... endless opportunities. http://waos.waiariki.ac.nz/scholarships.html

  

Bring on the Huka in Taupo this weekend... but first a 3day camp with Waiariki in Ohope hope the rain holds off :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bay of Plenty sports awards

Waiariki at the sports awards

Was a great night had by all at the Bay of Plenty sports awards 

Waiariki had many finalist including our hard working mountain bike coach Evan Mcrae for coach of the year. Evan was up against Gordon Tietjens who took the award and went on to take the supreme award. Myself and flatmate Luuka Jones who is preparing for the Olympic games in London for Canoe Slalom were both proud to be finalists for the sports women of the year award which was taken out by well deserving Lisa Carrington who is the current world K1 200m Champion.

It was an amazing night, motivating and inspiring celebrating sporting sucess and fueling the fire for more sucesses to come.





Update

Just a quick update for those who are still checking the blog... Join us on Facebook 'Carl-Katie' we know its the new way of following and is easier to keep it short and you informed.

We are back into training already as Nationals are a month earlier this year, so we are already in the full swing of things.

We are also actually finding time have some fun around the training and the work trying to pay back the trip, we have been getting out a few times we had 2 good mates 21st, going fishing a couple of times now Rena has wrecked that though. We have even been out sailing tonight at lake Okereka.

We will get a full plan of things to come soon, but in the next few weeks we are thinking of doing the Whaka 100 and the Huka XL in Taupo which is actually the Marathon Nationals this year

Carl