State Track Champs - 12-15th December 2009
Peter Bennett represented Bikeline Racing at the Queensland Senior Track Championships in Townsville. Peter competed in the Elite Men's Keirin and Sprint events. Peter's best result came in the sprint event where he got through to the bronze medal round with Cairns compeditor, Ivan Cook. Pete took the first race with a time of 11.87. Ivan then took the second sprint in 13.01. The deciding sprint saw Peter back up with a similar time in the first and securing the bronze medal in a time of 11.92. Peter also participated in the Keirin where he got through to the repecharge round where he narrowly missed out on going through to the final. Well done Peter.
Boys Clean Up at Synergy Park - 1st Nov 2009
After a great race on Saturday afternoon at the Bikeline Racing Club Champs, the boys ventured down to Synergy Park in Brisbane for another hit out. The boys are going from strength to strength because they took out the event with 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings. Awesome effort boys!
World Masters Championships (Sydney) 23rd Oct '09 - Brian Schmacker
When Brian Schmacker stepped onto the podium to receive a silver medal in the Masters 4 Division of the track sprint event at the World Masters Games in Sydney he elevated Bikeline Racing to a new level of achievement.
Brian and fellow Toowoomba track specialist, Karl Morris, drove to Sydney to contest the track events at the Games. A practice ride on the track on Friday was their final preparation for their races which began on Monday afternoon. Their first race was the 750m time trial at 1:30 in the afternoon. Karl finished fourth with a time of 53.9, 1.9 seconds behind the winner, John Collette with a time of 52.0. Brian finished 8th with 56.2.
The next event was the 200m qualifying race for the sprint. Brian qualified 3rd with a time 11.59, three tenths of a second behind Geoff Stoker and 5 hundredths behind John Colette.
These times were slower than Brian expected but the track was very dead. Apparently as the temperature drops below 23° the track becomes slower, so when the temperature dropped to 16° tyres felt flat, even though they were inflated to almost 200psi.
On Monday at 11:30 am the sprint continued with the quarter finals, from now on the best of three rounds. Karl now faced Geoff Stoker, fought hard but was out classed over the line, while Brian met Tod Hayer of the USA.
In the first round Brian managed to get Tod on his hip with a lap to go and kept him there until about 60m from the line when Brian accelerated to ensure a win. The second round Tod led out and Brian passed him with about 60m to go.
The semi-finals were held from 4:00 pm Monday. Brian was against the number two qualifier. He won his semi-final 2-0 and progressed to the finals.
Brain noted that his opponent in the finals had legs that made his look like toothpicks(and if you know Brian that’s just hard to believe!!!) which did not deter him from putting in a super effort to win silver in the final, losing to Geoff Stoker 2-0.
Brian describes the action as follows: 4:00 pm Monday was the semi finals.
I was against the number two qualifier, John Colette. In the first round John was leading and I managed to bluff him into starting the sprint about a lap from the finish and passed him down the final straight. I had a moment round the bank, as we entered the banking at better than 60kph all of a sudden the G forces hit me unexpectedly and I had to regather my thoughts and start peddling hard again.
At events in Toowoomba and Brisbane you don't experience close to 2G on the velodrome!
Round two John was not going to be fooled so easily again. I was required to lead for the first lap but John took the front running so I was following again. Around the first bank on the last lap I managed to have John climb about half way up the bank and looking over his right shoulder then I dived underneath him and led from there to the finish.
8:00pm Monday - finals against Geoff Stoker.
In the first round Geoff drew the bottom at the start and had to lead. I happily followed till 1 1⁄4 laps out when I tried to ride around the outside then up the bank with the aim of having another go down to the finish but Geoff was too smart, backed off the pace a bit so I could not get a run on him then finished fast over the last 80m. I could not pass him.
Round two worked out simular except I tried using the bank to give me some space but as soon as I went up the first bank Geoff hit full steam and the gap quickly became too big to close and he won easily.
After big efforts all around, Brian stepped onto the podium, gave a champion’s wave to the crowd, and accepted his silver medal at the World Master’s Games and that was the moment that elevated Bikeline Racing to a world-class ranking.
Brian and Karl have more track events next week, while Charlie Bennett (Bikeline Racing) and Graham Day (TCC) will be competing in the road events after competing in the earlier events on the track.
UCI World Championships 2009 - by Brian Schmacker
The second event in Sydney was the UCI World Championships. Most of the track cyclists consider this more important than the World Masters Games. There were a lot more serious competitors in Sydney for this event.
It’s hard to explain all the intricacies of sprint racing but I’ll try and explain some of the detail. Unlike sprints in most other sports with cycling the fastest rider does not always win. Using better techniques and tactics a slightly slower rider might win a sprint and with a bit of luck a slower rider can defeat a considerably faster opponent.
My first race was on Monday the 19th October, the 750m Time Trial. I actually only entered this race to have a ride but had no intention of being competitive. My stated intention was to ride a time between 56 and 57 seconds. The winning time was an exhausting 50.3 while I rode a comfortable 56.5 seconds to finish in the lower half of the field.
The Sprints
On Thursday the sprints started. This is what I was in Sydney for.
2:00pm, Event 81: qualifying for the sprint.
Each rider enters the track solo with three and a half laps to go. A time is taken over the last 200m. Riders choose the ‘line’ they ride to approach the start of the timed 200m. I think everyone else is wrong so out of the 32 entrants for the sprint I have a unique line approaching the 200m. The fastest 24 riders progress to the next round, the first fastest rides #24, #2 rides #23 etc. Jeff Stoker, winner of the World Masters Games Sprint was the fastest qualifier with a world record time of 11.111 seconds; I was second with a time of 11.26. Even though I didn’t win I still think everyone else is wrong.
1/16 final
As second qualifier I was due to race #24, due to a withdrawal I only had to present to the line ready to race, rode half a lap and progressed to the next round. That was easy.
9:30 pm, Event 98: the 1/8 final
The 1/8 finals are ‘sudden death’, winner progresses to the next round, loser to the repechage. This would be a bit harder; my opponent was Peter Barnard a previous World Masters Champion. I ‘drew’ the bottom of the track which meant I was required to lead for the first half lap and for the first lap Peter was happy to follow. Then the Cat and Mouse started. First he tried to get underneath me and get to the lead, I blocked him, and then he accelerated hard round the bank over the top of me. I thought, if you want the lead that bad with two laps to go, have it. I happily followed for half a lap then drew Peter toward the top of the bank when he momentarily looked away from me, I turned my bike sharply down the steep bank, was underneath and in front with just over 250m to go. For the last lap I gently accelerated the bike to keep Peter behind me. That was my day over. I got home around 11:00, had some dinner and tried to get some sleep; tomorrow would be a big day.
Friday 23 October.
To be at the velodrome warmed up and ready to race by 9:00am I had to leave my accommodation well before 7:00. This meant up and active before 6:00. I was tired.
9:00am the session started, my event did not start for another hour.
10:00 am, Event 115: the Sprint Quarter Finals
This is best of three rounds, loser out of the event. My opponent this time is a Frenchman, Philippe Vernet, Current World Masters Champion in the 750m Time Trial, in 1984 he finished 4th in the sprint at the LA Olympics. In the first round I drew the bottom again and had to lead. Vernet was happy to follow for a lap and half and then he tried to pass me but, unlike with Peter Barnard, I was unwilling to relinquish the front position. He had not fully passed me when he started to enter the sprinters lane. The sprinters lane is on the bottom of the velodrome between the black (measuring line) and the red sprinters line. When passing a rider you must be fully in front of them before entering the lane, I had to physically shove him out of it with a bit of head, shoulder and elbow. Vernet dutifully swung up and dropped in behind me with 1 ¼ laps to go. In the back straight I let him draw alongside me and paced myself on his speed till halfway round the last bank when I accelerated to win reasonably comfortably. 1 up.
Round 2. This time Vernet was required to lead for the first half lap and I was happy to follow. I actually wanted to ‘approach from behind’ in this round; it’s not easy to pass on this track and I needed some practice. However, when the cat and mouse started and he baulked to try to get the back position I happily took the lead knowing he would not want to stay there. Sure enough we were on the top of the bank with 1 1/3 laps to go when he rode underneath to retake the lead, I threw in a ‘dummy’ dive to wind him up then waited till the back straight. With about 160m to go I accelerated, drew level in 80m and shadowed him to the line. Job done. Next round: Semi Finals.
2:40pm, Event 138: Sprint Semi Finals
My opponent: Matthew Diefenbach of the USA. I knew nothing of him and had a chat to Peter Barnard about how to race him, Pete said to watch out for him and that he would try and stall me. Ok, so if I’m leading try and get him on my hip and keep him there till about 80m to go. If following make sure there is some room and be high on the track and watch for opportunities. For the first round Diefenbach drew the bottom and was therefore required to lead for the first half lap; that suited me fine. For the first lap I happily followed Diefenbach, leaving less than a bike length gap, then I started dancing on the pedals a bit while creeping up the bank, trying to draw my opponent higher on the track. It mostly worked. Approaching the last lap we were again on the bottom of the track with me close behind Diefenbach, not where I wanted to be, no options. I swung up the bank and accelerated, this provided me with height speed and space: just what I wanted. Approaching the back straight I was 3-4m behind and about 2m higher than Diefenbach and with some pace on. Diefenbach looked forward and started to get out of his seat (to start sprinting). Before he did I pounced and within 2 seconds was beside him and on the inside and passing. Once in front I backed off a bit to give Diefenbach no room and watched over my right shoulder. To pass Diefenbach must now overtake me on the outside, at about 55kph and with no room he cannot hit me fast so my intention was to hold this to the finish. !!#$%&%$* with 30m to go I heard a sound to my left and kicked, too late, Diefenbach came underneath me and won by about 7cm. Wow was there a flood of emotions now. Firstly anger with myself: I should have gently kept accelerating for the last 80m as with Barnard. Then confusion: how did Diefenbach get under me? I had the sprinters lane. Did I come out of it long enough for him to get under me? Than anger: He can’t do that, how do I put in a protest? Within 90 seconds there was an announcement that the result was being reviewed. About five minutes later Diefenbach was disqualified. Round two would now be easy, I only needed to front, in about 20 minutes ready to race to be given the win. I did a warm down had a shower and waited. Into the finals.
7:30pm Event 166. The Sprint Finals.
This race would be hard. My opponent, Jeff Stoker just walked over last year’s world champion and defeated me a week earlier in the finals of the World Masters Games. Even though he qualified over 1/10 sec faster than me I’m confident I have at least the equivalent top speed, but he has better acceleration. Ideally I need to be leading at 80% pace with a lap to go.
In the first round Jeff drew the bottom of the track and as was required to lead for the first half lap. I happily followed Jeff for the first lap with just a small amount of manoeuvring to make him work at watching me. Jeff moved to the top of the track and I tried to position myself slightly higher on the track, sometimes I was rubbing the rail. With a lap and a quarter to go I fainted a dive to try and get Jeff sprinting but he blocked my move and only lifted the pace enough to stop me from passing easily. As we crossed the finish line with a lap to go I climbed the bank to try and give myself some space and height advantage but Jeff countered my move by backing off slightly and watching. Down the back straight I had a two bike length gap to my opponent, which was good but, he was not going fast enough. I had to make a run, accelerated, and unfortunately caught Jeff as the bank started where he then accelerated and nullified my speed. Round 1 to Stoker.
Round two. This time I was required to lead for the first half lap. Down the back straight Jeff started to go up the track and consequently I had to go higher as well. Generally though Jeff was happy to just follow for nearly two laps. Coming out of the last corner with just over a lap remaining Jeff started to accelerate and looked like he was about to dive for the bottom of the track. I accelerated and came down the track a touch to block his run to the sprinter’s lane but. Stoker had gone full steam off the bank while I was still trying to block, he rode around the outside and was in front by the next bend #$%. Hopefully he will go flat-out and I’ll have a chance at passing in the finishing straight. He was too switched on for that, after passing me he’s backed off a bit to give me no room, déjà-vu I’m now following again with less than a lap to go against a fast opponent who is not going flat out. I cannot get a sufficient gap for a run at him down the back straight; have to wait till the finish. With about 80m to run Jeff has finally gone full steam and from about a meter behind I start sprinting flat out with 65m to go hoping to get a good run down the finishing straight but, as I start passing I go too wide, over 1/3 up the track and lose by half a wheel.
Even though I made lots of mistakes in the final Jeff was definitely the better sprinter on the day.
Four members of Bikeline Racing’s under 17 squad recently headed north to compete in the Sunshine Coast Junior Tour held over two days at circuits in Caloundra and Nambour. It catered for boys and girls from under 9 to under 17 and attracted over 100 entries from all over Queensland. Being just two weeks before the National Road Titles it attracted a top quality field. Our team was made up of Alex Head, Ben Southey, Jacob Mouatt and Raff Vainikka.
The tour was made up of four stages, a 6km individual time trial,a 56km road race,a 30 min+3lap criterium and a final 40km road race. The conditions were not the kindest with strong, hot northerly winds and temperatures in the 30’s. Not exactly what you need coming out of a Toowoomba winter.
Alex produced our fastest time in the time trial with 08:34 to take 10th place but all were very closely matched in their times. After heading back to the hotel for a cool down swim ,the crew were soon back for the road race held in the hottest part of the day. All were travelling well until the 40km mark where Alex and Jacob found the tempo and conditions too hot and dropped off the pace. Ben and Raff put in a terrific effort to stick with the main group. To add misery to all, the lap counter lost count and added another 7km lap to the total. Raff was our first home in 10th place in 1:41:15 narrowly ahead of Ben in 11th with the same time. Alex and Jacob soldiered on to finish 5 mins down. It was probably the toughest race any of them have ever encountered and a credit to all of them to make it through the day.
Day 2 saw no let up in conditions for the criterium with the strong wind persisting. All four boys rode together as a team in TT formation in order to off set the wind and share the work and cunningly not letting others join the queue. Towards the end they were able to make up significant ground on the break away leaders and all were given 10th place with the same time. The class of the top place getters was clearly evident on the short, fast 1km circuit.
We all then headed to Nambour for the final road race held within the show grounds, a great concept as you could see most of the circuit from the shade of the pavilions in the centre. At last we were in familiar territory with a steep hillclimb and fast descent, a profile very similar to our beloved Prince Henry Drive but they had 40 laps of it. The boys had a pre race talk and decided they had nothing to loose and were going to go for it for as long as they could hold out. Their body language on the start line was dramatically different and after a few laps in our group were clearly in control and the introduction of a hilly terrain brought us right back into contention. The standout of the field was Jacob Mouatt who was clearly the most attacking rider in the field with blistering surges of speed up the mountain. Our cheer squad of family members nervously counted down the laps until with only two laps to go and all four of our riders still in the lead group, Jacob let go in true Mouatt style and put 200 metres on the field in a blink. Unfortunately the peleton closed the gap with half a lap to go and crossed the line almost as one. The top 15 places of which we were all in were given identical times. All the boys rode a terrific race and came away full of confidence that they were able to go with the top contenders and match them on a testing circuit.
In the general classification Ben Southey was our top performer finishing in 11th place in 3:37:21 narrowly ahead of Raff Vainikka in 12th place only 21 sec behind over the four stages. Alex Head was in 14th place in 3:41:45 and Jacob Mouatt in 15th in 3:46:37. In what was a very classy field, which included some very talented cyclists these were great results. In only their first season of racing all our group proved to themselves that they are not far off the pace and the experience gained by competing against the best at this level was invaluable.
We now go into the State Team Time Trial on September 27 with a hint of confidence as while there are some very talented individuals, a class ahead of us, not many clubs can put up 4 consistent performers. New team member Brad Turrell comes into the group to make his racing debut and all have been training extremely hard under the guidance of some of our more experienced members and we wish them all the best in this event.
Riders who have raced the Cunningham Classic prior to the 2009 event were not lulled by the absence of the customary south-westerly which seems to be a Cunningham institution, buffeting riders all the way from Gatton to Warwick. A frosty morning for the 2009 race was followed by a still day. The result was faster average speeds across all divisions. The Cunningham is a tough race and deserves its ’classic’ rating and Bikeline’s riders did themselves and the race club proud as they crossed the finish line.
By the time Elite A finished, a large crowd of competitors and supporters lined Victoria Street in Warwick. Karl Evans’s fifth place in the Elite A race had the local supporters cheering with delight when we realised he was in the sprint finish to the end after his recent promotion from Elite B to Elite A. Congratulations Karl, who rides Elite A without the support of a team.
Speaking with the Elite B riders, Matt, Jimmy, Randall and Dave prior to the start in Gatton provided an insight into the tactics they had agreed for the race to Warwick. A couple of hours later in Warwick it was obvious that the tactics had been played out very well. Matt led Dave into the straight to the finish line. It was a long sprint. Dave crossed the line in third place, a fine achievement following his recent second in the Jon Brooks Classic at Mt Tyson.
Anyone who has met Peter Collins who rode Elite C will have commented on his preferred race footwear – touring bike sandals with SPD clips. Peter proves we have questionable grounds for wanting super stiff carbon soles on our race shoes; and how will we ever justify a pair of custom made, super cool race shoes again. There was Peter, across the line in second place, scoring another great placing for the Bikeline racers.
Masters B saw a strong finish from Grant Iddons and TCC rider, Graham Day. Registrations in both Masters B and Masters C required these divisions to be divided into two heats each and the pace was on in each heat resulting in groups catching heats which had started ahead of them, in the same division. Tony Nolan completed the Bikeline contingent with a strong finish with all local riders ahead of a crash which marred the sprint for several riders.
The Under 19 field included riders who are no strangers to podium finishes. Jon Lindley commmisaired for this race. Jon said the Under 19 riders demonstrated excellent race skills and cycling athleticism to almost catch the Elite B race which had started 8 minutes in front of their younger counterparts. Under 19 comprised a small field of no more than 20 riders. They rode hard to the finish which saw Aaron Benson cross the line in fifth place, behind Toowoomba rider, Jamie Lacey in fourth place.
Kangaroo Point Cycling Club can be proud of the staging of the 2009 Cunningham Classic and every participant should be equally proud of taking on the challenge of this cycling classic.
The Under 19 field included riders who are no strangers to podium finishes. Jon Lindley commmisaired for this race. Jon said the Under 19 riders demonstrated excellent race skills and cycling athleticism to almost catch the Elite B race which had started 8 minutes in front of their younger counterparts. Under 19 comprised a small field of no more than 20 riders. They rode hard to the finish which saw Aaron Benson cross the line in fifth place, behind Toowoomba rider, Jamie Lacey in fourth place.
Kangaroo Point Cycling Club can be proud of the staging of the 2009 Cunningham Classic and every participant should be equally proud of taking on the challenge of this cycling classic.
The Under 19 field included riders who are no strangers to podium finishes. Jon Lindley commmisaired for this race. Jon said the Under 19 riders demonstrated excellent race skills and cycling athleticism to almost catch the Elite B race which had started 8 minutes in front of their younger counterparts. Under 19 comprised a small field of no more than 20 riders. They rode hard to the finish which saw Aaron Benson cross the line in fifth place, behind Toowoomba rider, Jamie Lacey in fourth place.
Kangaroo Point Cycling Club can be proud of the staging of the 2009 Cunningham Classic and every participant should be equally proud of taking on the challenge of this cycling classic.
| Grade |
Rider
|
Result
|
|
Elite A Men
|
Karl Evans
|
8th
|
|
Elite B Men
|
Dave Kenny
|
3rd
|
|
Elite C Men
|
Pete Collins |
2nd
|
|
Under 19 Men
|
Aaron Benson
|
5th
|
Metropolitan Championships - by Karl Evans
B Grade - 92km Road Race - 1st
I was trying to push the pacethrough the first third of the course which consisted of a series of short, sharp climbs. In doing this I managed to get a sizeable break and decided to go solo. I put a couple of minutes into the peloton over the remaining 67kms to the finish.
Course Profile:
Battle of the Border - by Karl Evans
1) 8km ITT - 4th : Hilly course, suited my strengths
2) 66km Road Race – 1st : Broke away with Masters A Rider
3) 112km Road Race – 14th : Wet day, crash on the final corner, pack finished together
4) 30min + 2 laps Criterium – 1st : Crash midway through, race was restarted
All KOM points1st Overall by 45 seconds
The following week Cycling Qld notified me that I had been promoted to A grade!
1) 88km Road Race – 3rd : Got into an early breakaway which whittled down towards the end. Finished some 4 minutes ahead of the peloton.
2) 12km ITT – 11th : Gentle downhill almost the entire way, suited stronger riders 3rd Overall 1:59 behine the winner
3) 56km Kermesse – 14th : Defended my overall position, finished with the main pack.
Tour of the Scenic Rim - Dave Kenny
I placed a gallant 5th and 2nd in vets (30-39yrs)
State XC Championships (at Rockhampton)
Aaron Benson - 1st
Noosa Enduro - by Dave Kenny
Aaron Benson - 2nd Noosa Enduro 50km
Dave Kenny - 12th Noosa Endure 100km
Hardest freakin' race I've done in years.
Racing A Grade again. I had a flu during the week leading up to the race and was still recovering. Won the first KOM. At 120km Scott Davis (Allen Davis' brother) made a series of strong attacks which splintered the field and to which I had no reply. Finished in 9th place together with 7th and 8th.
Course Profile:
| Grade |
Rider
|
Result
|
|
Elite B Men
|
Matthew Hickey
|
2nd
|
22/03/2009 - Mt Coot-tha Challenge
|
Rider
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Time
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|
Matthew Hickey
|
7:56
|
|
Justin Eastwell
|
8:56
|
|
Alex Head
|
9:50
|
|
Chris Head
|
10:15
|
|
Michael Borch
|
10:48
|
|
Pat Woods
|
11:09
|
|
Janet Krommenhoek
|
11:51
|
|
Wendy Norgren
|
13:32
|
|
|
|
Brian's Story - 13th December 2009
You may know Brian as the man that spins really really fast, but you may not know the reason why he can do it so well. Brian is a track man and recently competed in the World Masters Games and the UCI World Championships. Brian was able to provide us some footage of the UCI races. Also, go over to the results page to read the full story. It's a fabulous insite into the world of track racing at the highest of levels.