Graeme Obree, the Scottish cyclist, is building a bike dreamt up in the bath, designed on the back of a scrap of wallpaper, constructed in part from an old saucepan and put together on the kitchen tableon which he hopes to smash the world speed record and reach 100mph. For more details, go to the UK Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9248769/The-100mph-bike-designed-in-the-bath-and-made-from-an-old-saucepan.html
Thursday, May 24, 2012
BikeNZ Licences
A number of members have either not received their BikeNZ licences or have received licences with incorrect details. If this has happened to you please send the details of the problem to Deb at info@ramblers.co.nz so that she can follow this up with BikeNZ on your behalf.
NZ Secondary Schools Championships
The dates for this event are 30th June for the time trial and 1st July for the road races. If you are interested in participating, please contact your school or the Event Organiser, Sandra Carter 021 477 686 or mscarter@xtra.co.nz
Entries close Monday 18th June 2012.
Entries close Monday 18th June 2012.
ClubKit
All the jerseys and skin suits have sold. The remaining items available are:
Medium Vest ($85)
Small Leg Warmers ($40)
Medium Leg Warmers ($40)
Shoe Covers ($30)
Caps ($20)
Drink Bottles ($5)
Medium Vest ($85)
Small Leg Warmers ($40)
Medium Leg Warmers ($40)
Shoe Covers ($30)
Caps ($20)
Drink Bottles ($5)
Upcoming Events
17th June: CX, Blackbarn, Havelock North
30th June: NZ Secondary Schools Indiviual Time Trials, Cambridge
1st July: NZ Secondary Schools Road Races, Cambridge
6th July: Ramblers Club Criterium, Marine Parade, Napier
6th – 8th July: Ride of Your Life Cycling Festival, Napier
8th July: Cyclocross National Championships, Napier
22nd July: CX, Roy’s Hill, Hastings
12th August: CX, Blackbarn, Havelock North
August: Reiker 2 Day Tour, Timaru
16th Septemeber: GIANT R4 Cycle Ride
22nd – 23rd September: R & R Sport Tour, Otago
2nd September: CX, Clearview Winery, Napier
16th September: CX, Chesterhope, Hastings
30th September: Novice Tour of Manawatu
5th – 7th October: Yunca Junior Tour, Invercargill
14th October: Tour of the Bay, Hastings
4th November: Ibis Bike The Lake
Stay safe, stay upright and keep ramblin’!
30th June: NZ Secondary Schools Indiviual Time Trials, Cambridge
1st July: NZ Secondary Schools Road Races, Cambridge
6th July: Ramblers Club Criterium, Marine Parade, Napier
6th – 8th July: Ride of Your Life Cycling Festival, Napier
8th July: Cyclocross National Championships, Napier
22nd July: CX, Roy’s Hill, Hastings
12th August: CX, Blackbarn, Havelock North
August: Reiker 2 Day Tour, Timaru
16th Septemeber: GIANT R4 Cycle Ride
22nd – 23rd September: R & R Sport Tour, Otago
2nd September: CX, Clearview Winery, Napier
16th September: CX, Chesterhope, Hastings
30th September: Novice Tour of Manawatu
5th – 7th October: Yunca Junior Tour, Invercargill
14th October: Tour of the Bay, Hastings
4th November: Ibis Bike The Lake
Stay safe, stay upright and keep ramblin’!
Here comes the sun, do de do de. And so on. - Ashleigh and Hannah
Monday we awoke to a beautiful day, which we spent murdering the most beautiful flowers once more. Still packing a sad from her consecutive late nights, which were her own fault, Ashleigh didn’t get on the bike aside from the 10km of commuter riding. Hannah went off on her own, and also came home with the groceries for the week, what a good girl she is. Tuesday proved another beautiful day, although a few dark clouds hung in the sky. As Murphy’s Law would have it, after sweating it out in rain jackets for several hours with no downpour, Ashleigh finally took hers off and got soaked. Brill. Post work we psyched ourselves up and battled through a session of 30 thirty sprints dispersed by box jumps. Any one coached by Ivar will understand the pain of such a session.
Wednesday was the second to last day ever in the flowers. Freedom was so close. Yet so far away. We got through the day planning how we would spend this unexpected income. It will certainly be the best spent money. Ever. Luckily the sunshine and the flowers kept our spirits high and we were soon off soaking up the sun, and working on the tan lines, for a few hours that evening.
GLORIOUS GLORIOUS FREEEEEDDDDDOOOOOOOOOM! Breathe it in! Of course, we choose to arise early today also to experience the tractor pulling show! They told us it was a competition between guys to see who could pull a tractor the farthest/ fastest. Haha funny joke, good one guys. Apparently that would be ridiculous here, who on earth would have a competition like that?? Ahhhh, in NZ we would? We had actually gotten up early to watch tractors in various weight categories pull things over various distances. The excitement! We could hardly contain ourselves, and left as soon as we got hungry; so not much time was spent there. But we did take some fun photos. After some extensive snacking, perhaps not a wise move, we went to light up the nifty 5km circuit we have found with some 5/10/15 efforts. By the time we picked ourselves up off the floor and showered it was dinner time.
Friday we were free again and decided to use our new found freedom by scoping out a new base circuit since there wasn’t much go go left in the tank. We may have ridden the hundy or so Ks on two coffees and a bakery stop.
We got to go to Friesland on Saturday for a national race. Mother Nature turned on yet another stunner day and I think we were the only ones not complaining about the heat. The people here just keep getting weirder. We had a bit of a giggle when we made comment about a gender check on one oft the riders, she pretty, ah, masculine, turns out its because she was in fact once a man.. that’s one way to get better results I suppose. The race was the old mistake and learning experience routine.
Sunday we lost 2 hours of our lives by going to see “The Dictator” at the cinema since the weather had packed in and was totally shitehause. We did meet some rowers who were chilling there before a race they had that afternoon. They weren’t eating because they had a weigh-in in an hours time, and the y enthusiastically told us that they lose a few kilos pre race day by consuming nothing but fruit and quark. Mmmmmm. Each to their own. In the highly unlikely event we aver take up a weight class sport, we’ll remember that.
And would you look at that
That’s us for another week.
Wednesday was the second to last day ever in the flowers. Freedom was so close. Yet so far away. We got through the day planning how we would spend this unexpected income. It will certainly be the best spent money. Ever. Luckily the sunshine and the flowers kept our spirits high and we were soon off soaking up the sun, and working on the tan lines, for a few hours that evening.
GLORIOUS GLORIOUS FREEEEEDDDDDOOOOOOOOOM! Breathe it in! Of course, we choose to arise early today also to experience the tractor pulling show! They told us it was a competition between guys to see who could pull a tractor the farthest/ fastest. Haha funny joke, good one guys. Apparently that would be ridiculous here, who on earth would have a competition like that?? Ahhhh, in NZ we would? We had actually gotten up early to watch tractors in various weight categories pull things over various distances. The excitement! We could hardly contain ourselves, and left as soon as we got hungry; so not much time was spent there. But we did take some fun photos. After some extensive snacking, perhaps not a wise move, we went to light up the nifty 5km circuit we have found with some 5/10/15 efforts. By the time we picked ourselves up off the floor and showered it was dinner time.
Friday we were free again and decided to use our new found freedom by scoping out a new base circuit since there wasn’t much go go left in the tank. We may have ridden the hundy or so Ks on two coffees and a bakery stop.
We got to go to Friesland on Saturday for a national race. Mother Nature turned on yet another stunner day and I think we were the only ones not complaining about the heat. The people here just keep getting weirder. We had a bit of a giggle when we made comment about a gender check on one oft the riders, she pretty, ah, masculine, turns out its because she was in fact once a man.. that’s one way to get better results I suppose. The race was the old mistake and learning experience routine.
Sunday we lost 2 hours of our lives by going to see “The Dictator” at the cinema since the weather had packed in and was totally shitehause. We did meet some rowers who were chilling there before a race they had that afternoon. They weren’t eating because they had a weigh-in in an hours time, and the y enthusiastically told us that they lose a few kilos pre race day by consuming nothing but fruit and quark. Mmmmmm. Each to their own. In the highly unlikely event we aver take up a weight class sport, we’ll remember that.
And would you look at that
That’s us for another week.
An Post Ras Tour of Ireland – NZ Wrap Stage 4
Southland cyclist Cameron Karwowski finished in the peloton to retain his challenge on the under-23 honours midway through the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.
Karwowski finished with the bunch in 17th place, nine seconds down on the winner in the challenging 135km fourth stage to Bundoran on the north-west coast of Ireland.
He leads the BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing national under-23 team although today’s expected benign stage proved anything but as the attacks were plenty from the gun, as Piet Bulling, Scott Creighton and Taylor Gunman covered the potential breaks.
Karwowski pushed hard for the break with 15kms remaining along with the yellow jersey of Pirmin Lang (SUI) and two other general classification contenders, as they chased down the solo break away in the New Zealander’s push for the lead in the under-23 honours.
The teams of the key challengers not in that break ramped up the chase with sufficient fury to split open the peloton, and they eventually reeled in the kiwi’s brave move. He tried again with 5km remaining but after expending all reserves had to be content to finish in the peloton.
Denmark’s Mark Pedersen took out the sprint from opening stage winner Marcin Bialoblocki although there is no change in the general classification with Lang leading but on the same time to British riders James Moss and Richard Handley and just six seconds separating the leading five riders.
Karwowski is in third place in the under-23 battle and 14th overall, 28 seconds from the yellow jersey with the remaining BikeNZ-PBR trio showing good strength to finish in the peloton and jump up the placings on general classification.
Meanwhile Auckland’s Dion Smith, injured in a crash on yesterday’s tough stage, has successfully undergone an operation after breaking his wrist and radius.
Tomorrow’s fifth stage is a 149kms to the far north town of Buncrana on the Inishowen peninsula with five climbs including a category one test 13kms from the finish.
Results, stage 4, 135km Westport to Burdoran: Mark Pedersen (DEN, Blue Water Racing) 2:55.36, 1; Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) same time, 2; Remi Sarreboubee (FRA, Aix en provence) at 2 sec, 3. Also New Zealanders: Cameron Karwowski at 9sec, 17; Piet Bulling at 15s, 17; Taylor Gunman same time, 33; Scott Creighton at 1:58, 73.
General classification after 4 stages: Pirmin Lang (SUI, Jakaroo) 12:47.45, 1; Richard Handley (GBR, Rapha Condor) st, 2; James Moss (GBR, Britain Giordana) same time, 3; Also: Karwowski at 28s, 14, Creighton at 2:24, 41; Bulling at 3:51, 52; Gunman st, 54.
Under-23 overall: Handley 12:47.45, 1; M Pedersen (BWC) at 19sec, 2 Karwowski at 28s, 3.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Karwowski finished with the bunch in 17th place, nine seconds down on the winner in the challenging 135km fourth stage to Bundoran on the north-west coast of Ireland.
He leads the BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing national under-23 team although today’s expected benign stage proved anything but as the attacks were plenty from the gun, as Piet Bulling, Scott Creighton and Taylor Gunman covered the potential breaks.
CAPTION: Taylor Gunman (North Harbour) and Piet Bulling (Invercargill) in action for the BikeNZ-PBR Under-23 team in the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland. Credit: Sportsfile.
Karwowski pushed hard for the break with 15kms remaining along with the yellow jersey of Pirmin Lang (SUI) and two other general classification contenders, as they chased down the solo break away in the New Zealander’s push for the lead in the under-23 honours.
The teams of the key challengers not in that break ramped up the chase with sufficient fury to split open the peloton, and they eventually reeled in the kiwi’s brave move. He tried again with 5km remaining but after expending all reserves had to be content to finish in the peloton.
Denmark’s Mark Pedersen took out the sprint from opening stage winner Marcin Bialoblocki although there is no change in the general classification with Lang leading but on the same time to British riders James Moss and Richard Handley and just six seconds separating the leading five riders.
Karwowski is in third place in the under-23 battle and 14th overall, 28 seconds from the yellow jersey with the remaining BikeNZ-PBR trio showing good strength to finish in the peloton and jump up the placings on general classification.
Meanwhile Auckland’s Dion Smith, injured in a crash on yesterday’s tough stage, has successfully undergone an operation after breaking his wrist and radius.
Tomorrow’s fifth stage is a 149kms to the far north town of Buncrana on the Inishowen peninsula with five climbs including a category one test 13kms from the finish.
Results, stage 4, 135km Westport to Burdoran: Mark Pedersen (DEN, Blue Water Racing) 2:55.36, 1; Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) same time, 2; Remi Sarreboubee (FRA, Aix en provence) at 2 sec, 3. Also New Zealanders: Cameron Karwowski at 9sec, 17; Piet Bulling at 15s, 17; Taylor Gunman same time, 33; Scott Creighton at 1:58, 73.
General classification after 4 stages: Pirmin Lang (SUI, Jakaroo) 12:47.45, 1; Richard Handley (GBR, Rapha Condor) st, 2; James Moss (GBR, Britain Giordana) same time, 3; Also: Karwowski at 28s, 14, Creighton at 2:24, 41; Bulling at 3:51, 52; Gunman st, 54.
Under-23 overall: Handley 12:47.45, 1; M Pedersen (BWC) at 19sec, 2 Karwowski at 28s, 3.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Has something been missing from your life? -Ashleigh and Hannah
Has something been missing from your life? Have you been feeling empty? Are you yearning for something you just cannot seem to find?? We have the answer; you have been having Ashleigh and Hannah blog withdrawals, but never fear! We are back in business.
We will be back to finish this soon, we have been distracted by the male swimmers at the European Championships..
Ok, you now have our full attention again.
Jokes, that was the semi-final, there are more semi-naked men for the finals now
Ok, where were we..
Monday was yet another day in the fields, although by now we could see the light. We had just three days to go.. We were begining to celebrate already. We finished the day with a beautiful base ride in the evening, concluding at a late night cafe where we enjoyed Hannahs’ last Hot Chocolate as an 18year old.
That night saw Secret Squirrel business as Ashleigh filled the bedroom, lounge and kitchen with balloons. They even has faces, everyone was at the party. She also ‘prepared’ a cake, if you count artistically arranging various cupcakes as cake preparing. Haha. There were of course also candles, a card, chocolate and presents. Oh! And how could we forget the home made JELLYTIP!!
Tuesday was of course filled with celebrations early morning. Then we went off high on ice cream and chocolate and cake into the flower fields once more. It was a somewhat shortened day when the Boss told us we could be done for the day when we reached a certain point in the flowers, needless to say we hit the NOS button and rocket through the work to finish in just 4 hours. Sweet deal. We even did some intervals before evening celebrations began. Aren’t we good! After a private bus trip we found ourselves at an Italian Pizzeria before welcoming a friend of Hannah’s fresh from Switzerland. Perfect timing on his behalf.
Wednesday was a bit more of a gentle day as we entertained our guest and recovered from what may have been a late night before. We got to play the role of the locals and toured the most beautiful road in Holland, the Belkmerweg, and of course the local coffee attractions. We then winged our way to Amsterdam (on the train, which funnily enough has a very similar affect to being on a boat for Hannah sometimes, entertaining for the rest of us at least).There was of course the tour of the touristy things followed by the shopping spree after our delightful pay package. It was a bit of a pathetic spree on the spending front, but we did enjoy trying everything on and parading around before making our selective purchases (from the bargain bin).
Thursday we had another day of recuperation; while Ashleigh tackled more of a particularly large assignment which she had done particularly little of up to this point. We cannot really recall how Han spent her day, it must have been very productive though and surely she made some kind of big step in her life that day. We also had the experience of the “Sand Hill Training”, never again. We went because then we could say that we had been and that we did not want to go again. That, and they also bribed us into giving it ago by saying we could go camel riding in exchange for our efforts. Who wouldn’t want to go run up and down a very big sand dune when a camel ride was on the cards? Haha. WE ARE GOING TO RIDE SOME CAMELS. Heck yeah!
Friday we awoke to the news that there was no more work for us! Very exciting, but then again it meant that we had to delete some of the ways we had spent our money in our heads, because we weren’t going to earn it. Training on Friday was harsh, we decided that after so much walking, running in the sand dunes and a few late nights the best thing to do would be a 3 hour base ride with a 15 second spring every 3 mins. Thanks Carl Paton for that one, you put ideas in Ivar’s head
We will be back to finish this soon, we have been distracted by the male swimmers at the European Championships..
Ok, you now have our full attention again.
Jokes, that was the semi-final, there are more semi-naked men for the finals now
Ok, where were we..
Monday was yet another day in the fields, although by now we could see the light. We had just three days to go.. We were begining to celebrate already. We finished the day with a beautiful base ride in the evening, concluding at a late night cafe where we enjoyed Hannahs’ last Hot Chocolate as an 18year old.
That night saw Secret Squirrel business as Ashleigh filled the bedroom, lounge and kitchen with balloons. They even has faces, everyone was at the party. She also ‘prepared’ a cake, if you count artistically arranging various cupcakes as cake preparing. Haha. There were of course also candles, a card, chocolate and presents. Oh! And how could we forget the home made JELLYTIP!!
Tuesday was of course filled with celebrations early morning. Then we went off high on ice cream and chocolate and cake into the flower fields once more. It was a somewhat shortened day when the Boss told us we could be done for the day when we reached a certain point in the flowers, needless to say we hit the NOS button and rocket through the work to finish in just 4 hours. Sweet deal. We even did some intervals before evening celebrations began. Aren’t we good! After a private bus trip we found ourselves at an Italian Pizzeria before welcoming a friend of Hannah’s fresh from Switzerland. Perfect timing on his behalf.
Wednesday was a bit more of a gentle day as we entertained our guest and recovered from what may have been a late night before. We got to play the role of the locals and toured the most beautiful road in Holland, the Belkmerweg, and of course the local coffee attractions. We then winged our way to Amsterdam (on the train, which funnily enough has a very similar affect to being on a boat for Hannah sometimes, entertaining for the rest of us at least).There was of course the tour of the touristy things followed by the shopping spree after our delightful pay package. It was a bit of a pathetic spree on the spending front, but we did enjoy trying everything on and parading around before making our selective purchases (from the bargain bin).
Thursday we had another day of recuperation; while Ashleigh tackled more of a particularly large assignment which she had done particularly little of up to this point. We cannot really recall how Han spent her day, it must have been very productive though and surely she made some kind of big step in her life that day. We also had the experience of the “Sand Hill Training”, never again. We went because then we could say that we had been and that we did not want to go again. That, and they also bribed us into giving it ago by saying we could go camel riding in exchange for our efforts. Who wouldn’t want to go run up and down a very big sand dune when a camel ride was on the cards? Haha. WE ARE GOING TO RIDE SOME CAMELS. Heck yeah!
Friday we awoke to the news that there was no more work for us! Very exciting, but then again it meant that we had to delete some of the ways we had spent our money in our heads, because we weren’t going to earn it. Training on Friday was harsh, we decided that after so much walking, running in the sand dunes and a few late nights the best thing to do would be a 3 hour base ride with a 15 second spring every 3 mins. Thanks Carl Paton for that one, you put ideas in Ivar’s head
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
An Post Ras Tour of Ireland – Stage 3 NZ Wrap
New Zealand cyclist Cameron Karwowski was pipped for a place on the podium in a frantic final sprint on a dramatic stage three of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.
Karwowski, supported strongly by his BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing Under-23 teammates today in the lumpy 144km stage to Westport, positioned himself well for the sprint, finishing in fourth place in a photo finish.
It was a day of drama with a number of bad crashes, including one which ended the tour for teenage Auckland rider Dion Smith who broke his arm and wrist. He will spend the night in Gallway Hospital before surgery tomorrow.
After riding patiently at the back of the peloton and when they were eventually reunited, The An Post Sean Kelly riders attacked aggressively as a group with seven kilometres to go. Karwowski responded in the elite group of 28 riders and positioned himself well for the final sprint.
“It was a fantastic performance from Cameron and another outstanding effort from the team to support him on what was a demanding day,” said coach Dan Healey. “The climbs were difficult and there were so many bad crashes. It is a real shame for Dion who was really enjoying a strong tour.”
Karwowski moved to second place on the overall classification for under-23 riders, and is in 12th place on overall classification, 28 seconds down on leader Pirman Lang (Switzerland) who finished in the peloton to retain the yellow jersey despite trialling the leaders by over two minutes at one point.
Of the other BikeNZ-PBR riders, Scott Creighton was 35th finishing in the second bunch seven seconds behind the leading group after a strong supporting role. Piet Bulling and Taylor Gunman were in the pack 3m17s down with the team reduced to four riders.
Today’s 145 kilometre stage from Gort to Westport proved testing with three late climbs in quick succession and the first category one climb of the eight day event.
Tomorrow’s fourth stage is mostly flat over 135km to Bundoran.
Results, An Post Ras Tour of Ireland, stage 3 Gort to Westport, 144km: Gediminas(LTU, An Post Sean Kelly) 3:09.03, 1; Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) same time, 2; Roy Eefting (NED, Koga) st, 3; Cameron Karwowski (NZL) 4. Also New Zealanders: Scott Creighton at 7 secs, 35; Piet Bulling at 3:17, 83; Taylor Gunman st, 85.
General classification after 3 stages: Pirmin Lang (SUI) 9:52.00, 1; James Moss (GBR) same time, 2; Richard Handley (GBR) st, 3. Also: Karwowski at 28s, 12, Creighton at 35s, 40; Bulling at 3:45, 69; Gunman st, 70.
Under-23 overall: Handley 9:52.00, 1; Karwowski at 28s, 2; M Pedersen (BWC) st, 3.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Karwowski, supported strongly by his BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing Under-23 teammates today in the lumpy 144km stage to Westport, positioned himself well for the sprint, finishing in fourth place in a photo finish.
It was a day of drama with a number of bad crashes, including one which ended the tour for teenage Auckland rider Dion Smith who broke his arm and wrist. He will spend the night in Gallway Hospital before surgery tomorrow.
CAPTION: Auckland’s Dion Smith riding in the bunch before he was caught in a crash on the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland. (Credit: Sportsfile.)
Reigning champion Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly Team) claimed the win just ahead of opening stage winner Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain Girodana) after he recovered from a crash and with the help of teammates, rode back on to the peloton over the final 40kms.After riding patiently at the back of the peloton and when they were eventually reunited, The An Post Sean Kelly riders attacked aggressively as a group with seven kilometres to go. Karwowski responded in the elite group of 28 riders and positioned himself well for the final sprint.
“It was a fantastic performance from Cameron and another outstanding effort from the team to support him on what was a demanding day,” said coach Dan Healey. “The climbs were difficult and there were so many bad crashes. It is a real shame for Dion who was really enjoying a strong tour.”
Karwowski moved to second place on the overall classification for under-23 riders, and is in 12th place on overall classification, 28 seconds down on leader Pirman Lang (Switzerland) who finished in the peloton to retain the yellow jersey despite trialling the leaders by over two minutes at one point.
Of the other BikeNZ-PBR riders, Scott Creighton was 35th finishing in the second bunch seven seconds behind the leading group after a strong supporting role. Piet Bulling and Taylor Gunman were in the pack 3m17s down with the team reduced to four riders.
Today’s 145 kilometre stage from Gort to Westport proved testing with three late climbs in quick succession and the first category one climb of the eight day event.
Tomorrow’s fourth stage is mostly flat over 135km to Bundoran.
Results, An Post Ras Tour of Ireland, stage 3 Gort to Westport, 144km: Gediminas(LTU, An Post Sean Kelly) 3:09.03, 1; Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) same time, 2; Roy Eefting (NED, Koga) st, 3; Cameron Karwowski (NZL) 4. Also New Zealanders: Scott Creighton at 7 secs, 35; Piet Bulling at 3:17, 83; Taylor Gunman st, 85.
General classification after 3 stages: Pirmin Lang (SUI) 9:52.00, 1; James Moss (GBR) same time, 2; Richard Handley (GBR) st, 3. Also: Karwowski at 28s, 12, Creighton at 35s, 40; Bulling at 3:45, 69; Gunman st, 70.
Under-23 overall: Handley 9:52.00, 1; Karwowski at 28s, 2; M Pedersen (BWC) st, 3.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Olympic cyclist joins Orica-GreenEdge team
Olympic-bound cyclist Sam Bewley has joined Orica-GreenEDGE upon the departure of Australian icon, Robbie McEwen.
Bewley, 24, will represent New Zealand in the team pursuit in the 2012 London Olympics before switching his focus 100 percent to a road career. He raced for two years with RadioShack and spent the first half of this season focussing on his track racing with the BikeNZ track team.
"I'm excited to be part of an Australian team," said Bewley. "I'm not Australian of course, but New Zealand and Australia are pretty united when it comes to sport unless we're competing against one another. Even then, it's a friendly rivalry. I'm really happy to be part of a team from the Southern Hemisphere that's racing in Europe."
Bewley has wasted no time in beginning his career with the team, making his debut tonight (NZ time) in the Bayern Rundfahrt in Germany. He returns to the track in the build-up to the Olympics before rejoining the team for additional road racing in August.
"We weren't able to sign Sam until Robbie retired because we were maxed out on numbers," explained Sports Director Matt White. "This ended up working out well for both Sam and the team because of Sam's track schedule. He has a lot of potential on the road when he's able to fully concentrate on road racing, and we're looking forward to helping him develop his complete potential. We've signed him for this and the next season, and while we won't see him much this year, he'll be with us full-time on the road in 2013."
Bewley calls a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics his career highlight.
"Most of my highlights are on the track as that's where I have put my energy," Bewley said.
"The Olympic medal in Beijing stands out the most. I haven't gotten a real highlight on the road yet, but I'm happy to join a team where I think that's a real possibility."
Without much road racing in his legs, Bewley expects Bayern Rundfahrt to be a personal challenge.
"It's going to be a shock to the system racing at this level," he said. "I'm here to get some racing in my legs and make a good impression to my new teammates and staff. I'll work as hard as I can for the team. We have some strong riders here on the hunt for stage wins. I'll support their goals wherever I can."
Bewley will rejoin the BikeNZ track team when they go into their final track preparation camp later next month.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Bewley, 24, will represent New Zealand in the team pursuit in the 2012 London Olympics before switching his focus 100 percent to a road career. He raced for two years with RadioShack and spent the first half of this season focussing on his track racing with the BikeNZ track team.
"I'm excited to be part of an Australian team," said Bewley. "I'm not Australian of course, but New Zealand and Australia are pretty united when it comes to sport unless we're competing against one another. Even then, it's a friendly rivalry. I'm really happy to be part of a team from the Southern Hemisphere that's racing in Europe."
Bewley has wasted no time in beginning his career with the team, making his debut tonight (NZ time) in the Bayern Rundfahrt in Germany. He returns to the track in the build-up to the Olympics before rejoining the team for additional road racing in August.
"We weren't able to sign Sam until Robbie retired because we were maxed out on numbers," explained Sports Director Matt White. "This ended up working out well for both Sam and the team because of Sam's track schedule. He has a lot of potential on the road when he's able to fully concentrate on road racing, and we're looking forward to helping him develop his complete potential. We've signed him for this and the next season, and while we won't see him much this year, he'll be with us full-time on the road in 2013."
Bewley calls a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics his career highlight.
"Most of my highlights are on the track as that's where I have put my energy," Bewley said.
"The Olympic medal in Beijing stands out the most. I haven't gotten a real highlight on the road yet, but I'm happy to join a team where I think that's a real possibility."
Without much road racing in his legs, Bewley expects Bayern Rundfahrt to be a personal challenge.
"It's going to be a shock to the system racing at this level," he said. "I'm here to get some racing in my legs and make a good impression to my new teammates and staff. I'll work as hard as I can for the team. We have some strong riders here on the hunt for stage wins. I'll support their goals wherever I can."
Bewley will rejoin the BikeNZ track team when they go into their final track preparation camp later next month.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
An Post Ras Tour of Ireland - Stage two wrap
New Zealand riders finished in the peloton as the break got away on the second stage of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.
The BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing Under-23 national team all featured in the peloton in the 158km stage from Kilkenny to the west coast in Gort, which featured three category climbs.
CAPTION: Piet Bulling shares the early lead in the peloton on stage two of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today. Photo credit: Sportsfile.
A seven-strong break went clear at the 50km mark and worked their way to three minutes before the peloton sprang into life. But they left their move too late, closing to within 28 seconds of the leading seven, with Switzerland’s Pirmin Lang taking the sprint and the leader’s yellow jersey.
Cameron Karwowski and Piet Bulling led the way for the New Zealanders at the sharp end of the bunch sprint with Taylor Gunman, Dion Smith and Scott Creighton also safely in the 60-strong peloton.
Karwowski and Bulling are 21st and 22nd respectively on general classification at 28 seconds down on Lang, and they are fifth and sixth respectively in the under-23 competition.
“The boys rode their guts out today and really rode well as a unit,” said coach Dan Healey. “The attacks came from the gun and our guys did a great job covering the breaks, and taking much of the responsibility to do so.
“The plan was to send someone up the road on the first decisive climb at 50km before we could execute, the break crept off the front.
“The team looked after eachother well and worked so hard but for no tangible reward in the results.”
Tomorrow’s third stage is 145kms from Gort to Westport with three categorised climbs including the category one climb at Maumtrasna 40kms from the finish.
The BikeNZ-PBR team is currently eighth in the team classification.
Results, stage 2, An Post Ras, 158km Kilkenny to Gort: Pirmin Lang (SUI) 3:33.47, 1; Dale Appelby (Britain East) same time, 2; James Moss (GBR Giordara) same time, 3. Also New Zelaanders: Cameron Karwowski at 28s, 17; Piet Bulling same time, 18; Taylor Gunman st, 37; Dion Smith st, 41, Scott Creighton st, 56.
General classification after two stage: Lang 6:2.57, 1; Appleby same time, 2; Moss same time, 3. New Zealanders: Karwowski at 28s, 21; Bulling same time 22; Smith st, 38; Gunman st, 43; Creighton st, 64.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Jeremy Vennell Most aggressive Rider Tour of California
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) may have won the Tour but Ramblers member Jeremey Vennel (Bissell Pro Racing) having a great year took the Exergy Most Aggressive Jersey; Kiwis Josh Atkins and George Bennett riding with Lance Armstrongs Bontrager Livestrong development squad also featured during the stages.
exerpt from http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/press/Robert-Gesink-of-Rabobank-Cycling-Team-wins-2012-Amgen-Tour-of-California---RadioShack-Nissan-Trek-wraps-up-Team-Competition.html
"Meanwhile, RadioShack-Nissan-Trek took the overall team competition; Sagan won the Visit California Sprint Jersey; Canada's Sebastian Salas of team Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies won the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey; the Netherlands' Wilco Kelderman of Rabobank won the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey; New Zealand's Jeremy Vennell of Bissell Pro Cycling won the Exergy Most Aggressive Jersey; while Australian Robbie McEwen, who announced earlier this year that the 2012 Amgen Tour of California would be his last professional race, won the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey."
exerpt from http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/press/Robert-Gesink-of-Rabobank-Cycling-Team-wins-2012-Amgen-Tour-of-California---RadioShack-Nissan-Trek-wraps-up-Team-Competition.html
"Meanwhile, RadioShack-Nissan-Trek took the overall team competition; Sagan won the Visit California Sprint Jersey; Canada's Sebastian Salas of team Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies won the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey; the Netherlands' Wilco Kelderman of Rabobank won the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey; New Zealand's Jeremy Vennell of Bissell Pro Cycling won the Exergy Most Aggressive Jersey; while Australian Robbie McEwen, who announced earlier this year that the 2012 Amgen Tour of California would be his last professional race, won the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey."
Monday, May 21, 2012
Olympian on podium in European road time trial. (Westley 4th)
Olympic cyclist Aaron Gate has finished third in the individual time trial on the fourth stage of the Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg today.
He pipped fellow London Olympic track teammate Westley Gough for the final place on the podium after a strong performance in the 14.88km time trial in the UCI Europe Tour event.
Gate clocked 21:28 to be 26 seconds behind the winner, local rider Bob Jungels, riding for the Leopard Trek team. The kiwi was only 38/100ths of a second from second placed Adam Phelan (Drapac) while Gough was timed at 21:39 in fourth.
New Zealand’s Olympic endurance track team have begun their track racing phase in Europe in preparations for London with coach Tim Carswell satisfied with the performances.
“This is just the second stage race of this European racing block and all the guys are finding their road form after the World Track Championship in Australia,” Carswell said.
“Seeing results like this is encouraging and all a step in the right direction for the Olympics.
“Competing on the road in Europe is always challenging with strong fields in almost all races at this level.”
Today’s time trial course from Tetange to Rumelange was challenging with two steep climbs. Of the other New Zealanders in the BikeNZ squad, omnium rider Shane Archbold was 17th, Myron Simpson 25th and Alex Frame 35th while Marc Ryan withdrew earlier in the tour suffering from the flu.
Jungels is the leader on overall classification going in the final stage with Gough the best placed of the New Zealanders in 11th overall. The Luxembourg rider won the 2010 Junior World Time Trial and has been in outstanding form this year including second in the Nations Cup at the La Cote Picarde.
The Fleche du Sud is a five day stage race with previous winners including pro tour stars Andy Schleck (LUX) in 2004 and Geraint Thomas (GBR) in 2006.
Results, Fleche de Sud, Luxembourg, stage 3 time trial 14.88km: Bob Jungels (LUX) 21.02, 1; Adam Phelan (AUS) at 25s, 2; Aaron Gate (NZL) at 26s, 3. Also New Zealanders: Westley Gough at 37s, 4; Shane Archbold at 1:13, 17; Myron Simpson at 1:22, 25; Alex Frame at 1:38, 35.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
CAPTION: Aaron Gate
He pipped fellow London Olympic track teammate Westley Gough for the final place on the podium after a strong performance in the 14.88km time trial in the UCI Europe Tour event.
Gate clocked 21:28 to be 26 seconds behind the winner, local rider Bob Jungels, riding for the Leopard Trek team. The kiwi was only 38/100ths of a second from second placed Adam Phelan (Drapac) while Gough was timed at 21:39 in fourth.
New Zealand’s Olympic endurance track team have begun their track racing phase in Europe in preparations for London with coach Tim Carswell satisfied with the performances.
“This is just the second stage race of this European racing block and all the guys are finding their road form after the World Track Championship in Australia,” Carswell said.
“Seeing results like this is encouraging and all a step in the right direction for the Olympics.
“Competing on the road in Europe is always challenging with strong fields in almost all races at this level.”
Today’s time trial course from Tetange to Rumelange was challenging with two steep climbs. Of the other New Zealanders in the BikeNZ squad, omnium rider Shane Archbold was 17th, Myron Simpson 25th and Alex Frame 35th while Marc Ryan withdrew earlier in the tour suffering from the flu.
Jungels is the leader on overall classification going in the final stage with Gough the best placed of the New Zealanders in 11th overall. The Luxembourg rider won the 2010 Junior World Time Trial and has been in outstanding form this year including second in the Nations Cup at the La Cote Picarde.
The Fleche du Sud is a five day stage race with previous winners including pro tour stars Andy Schleck (LUX) in 2004 and Geraint Thomas (GBR) in 2006.
Results, Fleche de Sud, Luxembourg, stage 3 time trial 14.88km: Bob Jungels (LUX) 21.02, 1; Adam Phelan (AUS) at 25s, 2; Aaron Gate (NZL) at 26s, 3. Also New Zealanders: Westley Gough at 37s, 4; Shane Archbold at 1:13, 17; Myron Simpson at 1:22, 25; Alex Frame at 1:38, 35.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Youthful line-up tackle 60th Ras Tour of Ireland
With an average age under 20 years, a youthful BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing team will take on their ultimate test that will sort the men from the boys in the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland starting on Sunday.
The five-strong group will take on 34 teams of hardened professionals and promising amateurs in the eight day tour covering 1168kms and 28 categorised climbs to the north and west of Ireland to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the race.
The BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing team is Cameron Karwowski, Alex Frame, Taylor Gunman, Scott Creighton and Dion Smith.
New Zealand has enjoyed some success over the last three years in the event with Myron Simpson winning a stage, Aaron Gate taking the under-23 honours and Shane Archbold first on points in 2011.
It is a much younger group just starting out on their international cycling lives that will tackle a tour that includes four former race winners including last year’s champion Gediminas Bagdonas (LTU) who will again ride for the An Post Sean Kelly Team.
The five-strong group will take on 34 teams of hardened professionals and promising amateurs in the eight day tour covering 1168kms and 28 categorised climbs to the north and west of Ireland to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the race.
The BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing team is Cameron Karwowski, Alex Frame, Taylor Gunman, Scott Creighton and Dion Smith.
New Zealand has enjoyed some success over the last three years in the event with Myron Simpson winning a stage, Aaron Gate taking the under-23 honours and Shane Archbold first on points in 2011.
It is a much younger group just starting out on their international cycling lives that will tackle a tour that includes four former race winners including last year’s champion Gediminas Bagdonas (LTU) who will again ride for the An Post Sean Kelly Team.
Caption: Cameron Karwowski in action in a Nations Cup Under-23 race in Europe. Credit: BikeNZ
Southland-based Cameron Karwowski is the only rider back from last year’s BikeNZ line-up and comes in with real expectation.
“It is very similar to the Tour of Southland at home,” Karwowski said. “It’s my second time riding this tour and I hope with my current form and experience from the race that I can pull off a stage win.
“I will be keeping my eye on the under-23 jersey too.”
Twenty-one year old Taylor Gunman said the group are motivated to complete their European campaign in style.
“It would be great to have a good run at the Tour of Ireland as our last race for the block. A result will be a great way to finish things off and show that a programme like this can really work.”
The 2.2 category rated Tour has attracted a number of international teams alongside New Zealand including teams from Denmark, Norway, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, German as well as a number of British and Irish teams.
As well as Bagdonas there are a number of strong international riders including three other former winners, while hopes of a local triumph are high from the likes of Martyn Irvine, who will represent Ireland in the omnium at the London Olympics.
Race director Dermot Dignam said the course is one of the toughest in many years.
“It is a route that is probably leaning more towards the climber than the all rounder,” said Dignam. "There is something tough in store every single day.”
The action begins on Sunday (local time) with a 147 km stage from Dunboyne to Kilkenny, the southern-most part of this year’s race.
The tour stages are:
Stage 1, Sunday May 20th: Dunboyne – Kilkenny, 147kms
Stage 2, Monday May 21st: Kilkenny – Gort, 158kms
Stage 3, Tuesday May 22nd: Gort – Westport, 145kms
Stage 4, Wednesday May 23rd: Westport – Bundoran, 135kms
Stage 5, Thursday May 24th: Bundoran – Buncrana, 149kms
Stage 6, Friday May 25th: Buncrana – Killybegs, 134kms
Stage 7, Saturday May 26th: Donegal - Cootehill, 161kms
Stage 8, Sunday May 27th: Cootehill – Skerries, 139kms
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
Karwowski leads NZ under-23 team home in Ras Tour of Ireland opener
The New Zealand-Pure Black Racing cycling team all finished safely in the peloton on the opening stage of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.
Poland’s Martin Bialoblocki (Britain Gordana Racing) edged out Denmark’s Jacob Nielsen (Denmark Blue Water) in the sprint finish after a late four-strong breakaway in the 147km opening stage from Dunboyne near Dublin south to Kilkenny with three categorised climbs.
There were three breaks during the mostly flat stage but none managed to put any serious time into the 100-strong peloton until a group of four went clear by 30 seconds with just 10kms remaining. While the peloton roared into life the quartet managed to hang on as Marcin Bialoblocki (Poland, Britain Giordana) took out the sprint with the pack just four seconds behind.
Southland’s Cameron Karwowski positioned himself well to be fourth across the line in the bunch sprint and eighth on the stage, with fellow Southlander Piet Bulling 13th and the rest of the BikeNZ-PBR under-23 team all safely home in the peloton.
“I wasn’t expecting the break to get away, but when we did I tried to save my legs and thankfully I took the win,” said Bialoblocki. “I’ll try to keep the yellow jersey now but it will be very hard with another seven days of racing ahead.”
Tomorrow’s second of eight stages is 158kms west to Gort near Galway, a mostly flat stage with one categorised climb on a stage that could present a breakaway opportunity.
Results, An Post Ras, stage 1, 147km Dunboyne to Kelkenny: Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) 3:09.04, 1; Jacob Nielsen (DEN, Denmark Blue Water) same time, 2; Nicolas Baldo (FRA, Switzerland Atlas) at 2sec, 3. Also New Zealanders: Cameron Karwowski at 6sec, 8; Piet Bulling same time, 13; Dion Smith st, 47; Taylor Gunman st, 56; Scott Creighton st, 88.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
CAPTION: Poland’s Marcin Bialoblocki celebrates the opening stage win in the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland at Kilkenny today.
Poland’s Martin Bialoblocki (Britain Gordana Racing) edged out Denmark’s Jacob Nielsen (Denmark Blue Water) in the sprint finish after a late four-strong breakaway in the 147km opening stage from Dunboyne near Dublin south to Kilkenny with three categorised climbs.
There were three breaks during the mostly flat stage but none managed to put any serious time into the 100-strong peloton until a group of four went clear by 30 seconds with just 10kms remaining. While the peloton roared into life the quartet managed to hang on as Marcin Bialoblocki (Poland, Britain Giordana) took out the sprint with the pack just four seconds behind.
Southland’s Cameron Karwowski positioned himself well to be fourth across the line in the bunch sprint and eighth on the stage, with fellow Southlander Piet Bulling 13th and the rest of the BikeNZ-PBR under-23 team all safely home in the peloton.
“I wasn’t expecting the break to get away, but when we did I tried to save my legs and thankfully I took the win,” said Bialoblocki. “I’ll try to keep the yellow jersey now but it will be very hard with another seven days of racing ahead.”
Tomorrow’s second of eight stages is 158kms west to Gort near Galway, a mostly flat stage with one categorised climb on a stage that could present a breakaway opportunity.
Results, An Post Ras, stage 1, 147km Dunboyne to Kelkenny: Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) 3:09.04, 1; Jacob Nielsen (DEN, Denmark Blue Water) same time, 2; Nicolas Baldo (FRA, Switzerland Atlas) at 2sec, 3. Also New Zealanders: Cameron Karwowski at 6sec, 8; Piet Bulling same time, 13; Dion Smith st, 47; Taylor Gunman st, 56; Scott Creighton st, 88.
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd
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