Hi everyone
Thought I'd better give you all an update on the last two days of racing.
We are now in Korea and have just finished stage 2 of the Korean part of the tour.
Stage1
It was a pretty fast day today averaging around 43-44kph for 146km's of racing.
We were pretty much on 3 lane highways the whole time so it was just smash it hard all day long and heaps of fun. I felt way better than Sundays road race, though coming in to the start of the last lap my legs were starting to feel a tad hammered after the distance and high speed. Well I just got tailed off going over the top of the feed zone climb. This was about 15k to go so no real worries, I got back on just after the decent and just as I got on my team captain wanted me on the front to assist in the chase bringing back the break-away.
Dam oh well better do as he says. Lucky for me just as I arrived at the front the break was almost captured, phew that saved me a lot of agony as my legs were pretty smacked by this stage, so I pretty much hung on to the back of the bunch as we smacked out the final few km's to the finish at speeds of pretty much not below 50kph.
Normally this is nothing but at the end of 3 and a half hours racing your legs are kind of hurting a tad.
Any way I finished in the bunch today and was glad that I finished with the bunch, and the legs are coming right.
Stage 2
I decided today that i was going to give it a bit of a go. So to help my team mate who is currently 2nd on the gc I had to cover any moves at the start basically follow any attempted break-aways and sit on them if they worked. Well I didnt make the break away, so I was able to cruise for awhile but then it was time to start working to minimise the time gaps so jumped on the front with the Skil-Shimano team who is the team of the yellow jersey and took turns at the front with them for two laps of the circuit. By the end of the race my legs were spanked and we still had a big climb before the run in two town. I was pretty dazed by now and got rolled so rather than killing myself for bunch time sat up and cruised home with one of the Skil-shimano boys who also was a bit waisted after pulling on the front all day. So I was pretty pleased with my self today as I was able to help the team out
Eric our team mate is still 2nd over all which is great
Well that's all for now
Josh
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Josh's Expoits in Asia
As some of you may know Josh Page has gone to race for the Giant Asian racing Team based in Korea - Below is extracted (and slightly edited version of his email back to Revolution Cycles) Will keep the blog up to date with his travels.
Thought I'd update you all on the racing so far, we have had a 1.8k tt and a 178k road race in Japan
TT
Was a short sprinters style course so not really suited to me, no worries though I just wanted to get through it, do a good time and not come last lol.
Well I managed 74th place which was all good and did the same time as my team captain so I was pleased with that. You can see a pic to if you click on the link
>> Josh looking nervous here
Road Race
Today we had a 178k road race. I was pretty nervous as it was my first proper race with these guys and I havn't ridden my bike a lot lately for various reasons and I can't even remember when I last rode that far?? I just wanted to make it to the finish and get some hard racing in the legs as I no I'll get better as the race goes on.
Well to cut a long story short things didn't go to well and after about 3 laps I was gone out the back door riding by my self wondering what I am doing here.
But I remembered that Jeremy Yates told me before I left not to panic when things go bad and dont let it get to ya, so i just cruised along and after a while rode with and Aussie guy We got caught by the bunch (lapped) a few laps later and we were allowed to tag on and finish with them (we get a calculated time so I'll be way down but that's cool) Well my legs were starting to wake up and come right so I finished with the bunch no worries.
I know I'll get stronger as the tour goes on so I'll try for a good result later on when it gets hilly. But the good news of the day was that my team mate Eric came second and is now high on gc, he could even win the tour because he's really strong so thats mint as. So I'll be helping him as much as I can.
Anyway we are off to Korea tomorrow and have a rest day on Tuesday. Racing resumes Wednesday so until then catch you all later
Dinner time now
Thought I'd update you all on the racing so far, we have had a 1.8k tt and a 178k road race in Japan
TT
Was a short sprinters style course so not really suited to me, no worries though I just wanted to get through it, do a good time and not come last lol.
Well I managed 74th place which was all good and did the same time as my team captain so I was pleased with that. You can see a pic to if you click on the link
>> Josh looking nervous here
Road Race
Today we had a 178k road race. I was pretty nervous as it was my first proper race with these guys and I havn't ridden my bike a lot lately for various reasons and I can't even remember when I last rode that far?? I just wanted to make it to the finish and get some hard racing in the legs as I no I'll get better as the race goes on.
Well to cut a long story short things didn't go to well and after about 3 laps I was gone out the back door riding by my self wondering what I am doing here.
But I remembered that Jeremy Yates told me before I left not to panic when things go bad and dont let it get to ya, so i just cruised along and after a while rode with and Aussie guy We got caught by the bunch (lapped) a few laps later and we were allowed to tag on and finish with them (we get a calculated time so I'll be way down but that's cool) Well my legs were starting to wake up and come right so I finished with the bunch no worries.
I know I'll get stronger as the tour goes on so I'll try for a good result later on when it gets hilly. But the good news of the day was that my team mate Eric came second and is now high on gc, he could even win the tour because he's really strong so thats mint as. So I'll be helping him as much as I can.
Anyway we are off to Korea tomorrow and have a rest day on Tuesday. Racing resumes Wednesday so until then catch you all later
Dinner time now
Thursday, June 5, 2008
2008 Powerco Tour of Taranaki
The promise of three days of good hard racing lured a dozen local Ramblers riders to the Powerco Queens Birthday Tour in Taranaki. With the mystical Mount Taranaki as a backdrop, this Tour catered for six different grades, with local representation in the A, B and Under 17 Boys and Girls.
Four of our Hawkes Bay juniors took part in Cycling New Zealand’s development camp that ran in conjunction with the Tour. Ashleigh Neave and Sean Joyce used this Tour as lead up to Canberra Kowalski Tour in July, with Fraser Gough and Danielle Harford out to impress for future selection.
For the first time in her young career Ashleigh Neave had the back-up of a competent team of riders to help her achieve the astonishing feat of winning Under 17 Girls overall, Queen of the Mountain, second in Sprint Ace and two stages. Neave, a Pedal Power Taradale sponsored athlete, displayed a maturity beyond her age during and after the racing not often seen at this level.
Fraser Gough and Sean Joyce were designated domestiques, riders that support their leader. Both boys performed above the expectation of the national selectors with their hard work, putting their team’s success above their own. No glory for these Havelock North riders, but plenty of guts and derermination.
During any road race there are many attempts to establish a break away, but knowing which one will stick and succeed comes with experience and Jeremy Yates has plenty of this. On stage two and five Yates made it in the winning breaks, finishing second in both stages and ending up fourth overall in A grade.
Smooth team work between Darryl Strachan and Dylan Stewart in B grade helped Strachan secure a fourth place overall and win stage 4 as he out-sprinted his four companions on the line. In stage 5 the favour was returned as Stewart benefited from Strachan’s work, taking crucial points to secure the Sprint Ace Jersey.
Four of our Hawkes Bay juniors took part in Cycling New Zealand’s development camp that ran in conjunction with the Tour. Ashleigh Neave and Sean Joyce used this Tour as lead up to Canberra Kowalski Tour in July, with Fraser Gough and Danielle Harford out to impress for future selection.
For the first time in her young career Ashleigh Neave had the back-up of a competent team of riders to help her achieve the astonishing feat of winning Under 17 Girls overall, Queen of the Mountain, second in Sprint Ace and two stages. Neave, a Pedal Power Taradale sponsored athlete, displayed a maturity beyond her age during and after the racing not often seen at this level.
Fraser Gough and Sean Joyce were designated domestiques, riders that support their leader. Both boys performed above the expectation of the national selectors with their hard work, putting their team’s success above their own. No glory for these Havelock North riders, but plenty of guts and derermination.
During any road race there are many attempts to establish a break away, but knowing which one will stick and succeed comes with experience and Jeremy Yates has plenty of this. On stage two and five Yates made it in the winning breaks, finishing second in both stages and ending up fourth overall in A grade.
Smooth team work between Darryl Strachan and Dylan Stewart in B grade helped Strachan secure a fourth place overall and win stage 4 as he out-sprinted his four companions on the line. In stage 5 the favour was returned as Stewart benefited from Strachan’s work, taking crucial points to secure the Sprint Ace Jersey.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ramblers at Taranaki Tour
As of Sunday Morning
Ashleigh Neave 2nd on gc at 14 Seconds
Jermey Yates 3rd stage 2 A-grade
Dylan Stewart 7th gc B-grade all others mid field
Ashleigh Neave 2nd on gc at 14 Seconds
Jermey Yates 3rd stage 2 A-grade
Dylan Stewart 7th gc B-grade all others mid field
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