NZBike 81 50pgl by MJ Media

ing Bike Bl

Issue 81 OCTOBER 2015

G CYCLINVES HA MUST

TOUR DE KOREA

TEAM AVANTI RACING

HIGHLIGHTS

TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

CRANKWORX

NZ'S BIGGEST MTB EVENT

52000km BY BIKE

SINGLESPEED CHAMPIONSHIPS ROTORUA ROAD路MTB路TRACK路CX路BMX 03

BIKE BARN ALBANY BIKE BARN TAKAPUNA V BIKE BIKE BARN NEW LYNN BIKE BARN BRITOMART BIKE BARN CENTRAL BIKE BARN MT WELLINGTON BIKE BARN BOTANY BIKE BARN MANUKAU GAS PAUANUI BIKE BARN HAMILTON BIKE BARN MT MAUNGANUI BIKE BARN WHAKATANE ROCKET BIKES TAURANGA BIKE BARN ROTORUA

61C Paul Matthews Road, Albany 81 Barry’s Point Road, Takapuna 23A Westhaven Drive, Auckland 3119 Gt North Road, New Lynn 88 Quay Street, Britomart, Auckland Cnr Symonds St & Khyber Pass Road, Grafton 50 Mt Wellington Hwy, Mt Wellington 287 Botany Road, Botany Downs 40 Cavendish Dr, Manukau 25 Sheppard Avenue, Pauanui Cnr Ulster and Liverpool St, Hamilton 12A Kereiti Street, Mt Maunganui 13-15 Commerce Street, Whakatane 633 Cameron Road, Tauranga South 1275 Fenton Street, Rotorua

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IMAGE: SONOKO

Scott Ambrose training with team Novo Nordisk

UCI MTB World Cup Austria - Remi Thirion

IMAGE: BARTEK WOLINSKI/Red Bull Content Pool

NEWS

OBSERVATIONS OF THE

SUPERCOACH

EDITOR Matt Tuck

EDITORIAL TEAM

Tania Tuck | info@mjmedia.co.nz

Graphic Design

Jeremy Town | design@mjmedia.co.nz

As winter envelopes us here in NZ we as cyclists have a few options available to us. For many it is the chance to take a well-earned break from the bike and this option has its merits. For others there are still an abundance of events to keep the motivation ticking along. In my role as a coach I use the winter to hone skills with my athletes through club racing. I find this level of racing a great way to witness and start to understand race craft and tactics.

NEWS

Part of what I do as a coach is to help out a school cycling team here in Auckland. Over the last few years it has become apparent to me that while we can achieve great things as a team in the teams time trial (because we specifically train for it) the Auckland teams often fall down when it comes to the road races and criteriums. The issue to me is obvious. Not enough school cyclists are racing regularly in the club scene. I’ve made it my personal mission to try and change this but it seems that my efforts are being paralleled by others in Auckland and the tide is beginning to shift. Just last weekend the turnout at the local club race was the best I’ve seen for many a season up here and the school aged cyclists out-numbered all. So, participation is no longer a problem, but are they learning how to race. What can they, and indeed all cyclists, learn from bike racing at this level? One of the things I encourage my athletes to do is to feedback to me their thoughts on what happened at each race. From this we can both learn about tactics and often learning from our mistakes is the best way to prompt change. I do however find some of the feedback mildly amusing and find myself repeating the same lessons. It appears some people do not learn from their mistakes. Some common scenarios are:

• “I was clearly the strongest in the group, taking long laps on the front, then we turned a corner and up a rise and I got dropped.” I get this one all the time. The strongest rider doesn’t always win. The smartest can outfox the strongest. This scenario is usually displayed by someone who has a history of riding in funrides where the common goal is to get to the finish line the fastest. In a scratch race at club level, the goal is to beat your competitors with whatever skills you possess. I explain that the average speed matters very little in these races. The best sprinters will be trying everything they can to keep the race as a group and the slower

the better. In these races the idea is to manipulate things to work to your strengths. If you’re a good hill-climber then make the hills hard. • “As we came into the last 500m I found myself blocked in near the back of the bunch so I didn’t really get the chance to sprint.” This common mistake is somewhat amusing because most of these races are on circuits which you get to complete multiple times and see the last km and see where the final corner is and feel which way the wind is blowing. That gives you ample time to formulate a plan about where you need to be or how you’re going to use your strengths to be in the right place at the right time should it come down to a bunch sprint. The distance the final corner is to the finish line is quite an important factor with this. Less than 200m and you really want to be leading or no worse than 3rd wheel. Longer and you can afford to be further back but not much. Knowing whether you have a good “jump”, whether you can sprint long, or who are the other fast sprinters in your bunch are very important considerations. • “I got to the race late, didn’t get time to warmup and got dropped up the first climb” If you struggle with fast starts, then you should know how important a good warmup is. A good warmup takes your intensity through all the levels you are likely to experience in a race so that when you start racing you don’t get that awful shocked feeling of breathlessness and burning muscles. Some people can cope with this from cold. If you can’t then get there early and prepare. It makes a huge difference. • “I got dropped in the last 20m of the climb, chased for 20k solo and then got swamped by a big group and couldn’t hang onto them either” I think this common mistake highlights a bigger problem, and that is not

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Graeme Simpson, Phil Rosett, Sam White, Colin Anderson, Madina Turgieva, Aaron S Lee, Darryl Carey, Jeremy Scott.

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COVER

Rider: Carl Jones aka Spiderman Image: Alick Saunders

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NEWS

being aware of your surroundings. Ask yourself questions at this precise moment when you get dropped. How many others also got dropped and are behind? Would I be better suited to have a brief rest, wait for them and work together to regain contact with the lead group? I think that there isn’t the understanding of just how much energy is required to ride solo vs being in a group. “but I looked behind and no-one was coming” That is hardly ever the case. Time is skewed when in this situation. If you stopped completely, someone 1km behind could be past you in about 90s. If you keep battling on solo that person will take a lot longer to catch up. When they get up to you, you will be exhausted from all that effort solo. • “I broke away solo about 5 times but every time they chased me down.” Usually when I dig deeper after hearing this one, they are not the only one breaking away solo and then being chased down. One or two others are trying the same thing. Breaking away solo is really hard to do unless you are in the wrong grade or you’re Tony Martin. You would be better served in this situation to save one of your attacks and mark the other cyclist who is trying to break away. He'll, even manoeuvre beside them and subtly suggest that you could break away together. With two or three breakaway companions your chances of success grow greatly. These are just a few common scenarios I see but the joy of racing bicycles is that there are hundreds of different scenarios and subtleties. The cyclists who are winning more, not only have the fitness but have the experience to read the situations and make the race work for them. They’ve see versions of this scenario play out before at one of the many 100’s of races they’ve competed in. So, there are a couple of things you can do to improve this aspect of your cycling. Race more, at all different types of events and critically analyse what you actually did in the race afterwards. For my athletes I find the act of writing a race report helps them review where it went good or bad. Even before I can add my two cents, they have learned some things from this act alone. Don’t be afraid, get out there and compete. See you at the races.

Aaron Strong NEWS

(aka supercoach)

Steel Springs Performance coaching www.steelsprings.co.nz

Breaking away solo is really hard to do unless you are in the wrong grade or you’re Tony Martin

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CONTENTS

Profile: Scott Ambrose

NEWS

Crankworx Rotorua

Issue #81 October 2015

Introduction 14 Contents 16 Newsbytes

Features Bike Store Profile: Mud Cycles

20 Bike Store Profile: Mud Cycles 22 Taipei Bike Show 26 52,000 Kilometers by Bike

Road 30 Avanti Racing Team â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Punching above its weight 36 Profile: Scott Ambrose

MTB 40 Singlespeed Championships 44 Crankworx Rotorua 48 Old Ghost Road

Taipei Bike Show

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

Old Ghost Road

Singlespeed Championships

NEWS

NEWSBYTES CrankTip Pedals

The Shaving Revolution has arrived

Vogels introduces new pedal technology that affects performance Former Australian pro cyclist Henk Vogels has taken his affinity for high-performance improvements to a new level. The retired Aussie great, who left his sports director role with Drapac Pro Cycling to take on a new project, has taken the CEO role at Cranktip, a performance pedal company designed to help cyclists and triathletes maximise their power, efficiency and effectiveness on the bike. A unique dual swing-arm design creates a few surprising benefits by supposedly adding leverage on the downstroke. According to Vogels, who is credited for helping 2012 Ironman World Champion Pete Jacobs win Kona by improving Jacobs’ bike output, the Cranktip pedal increases power and efficiency with a noticeable reduction in heart rate. The proprietary system, which had pro teams buzzing with curiousity at the Tour Down Under in January, moves the foot 12mm lower and 16mm further forward than a standard cycling pedal, forcing users to adjust their saddle accordingly. The smoother action of the crank produces less leg fatigue whilst also providing greater power due to the increased crank arm leverage. The pedals have a claimed combined weight of 730g compared to Shimano’s flagship Dura-Ace pedals at 250g. However the company claims the power benefits literally outweigh any additional weight increase. According to the company website, feedback from riders report that whilst they are achieving better performance times they are also reporting that recovery times are quicker with less leg sting whilst also being able to maintain a more consistent crank rhythm, particularly toward the end of a long race. “Cranktip immediately reduced my heart rate,” said Jacobs. The company also claims the smoother action of the Cranktip pedals will also reduce potential leg injuries. Also those with existing leg injuries including sore knees that are able to ride, are reporting significantly less pain when riding.

Remington SmartEdge Advanced Foil Shaver Take your grooming aspirations up a notch, as the previously distinct worlds of rotary and foil shaving unify. Set to change everything you know about an electric shave, the Remington SmartEdge Advanced Foil Shaver is a new hybrid at the frontier of shaving technology. The new Remington SmartEdge harnesses breakthrough Active Hybrid Technology – a unique game changing innovation that combines the best of both foil and rotary shaving in one advanced system. To work, two innovative long hair trimmers (akin to slots on a rotary shaver) sandwich a multi-directional advanced foil to simultaneously pre-trim longer hairs, while shorter hairs are lifted and cut from any angle – delivering Remington’s closest shave yet in just one pass. To ensure a close to skin smooth finish, the Remington SmartEdge combines a unique pivoting neck and flexing heads that seamlessly adapt to the shapes and contours of the face. For added comfort, an open arched blade design beneath the foil style head reduces vibration and noise during use. To further supercharge your shaving experience, this innovative shaver includes a built in pop-up trimmer for detailing sideburns and facial hair, while also combining Remington’s 100% waterproof technology for added functionality – making it suitable to be used dry, in the shower or with shaving gel – offering the ultimate in comfort shaving with reduced irritation for sensitive skin. For the ultimate in performance, power and functionality, combine the convenience of a rotary shave with the closeness of a foil shave and experience the new cutting-edge world of grooming with the Remington SmartEdge Advanced Foil Shaver.

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• Remington SmartEdge Advanced Shaver XF8550AU – RRP $349.99 • 2 year warranty and 60 day money back guarantee

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NEWS

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NEWS

NEWSBYTES

Jumper

Henty Wingman

Suomy Spa Introduces Jumper After a few months from the entry in the cycle world, Suomy Spa introduces on the market the new JUMPER, a helmet designed for Down-Hill and the most extreme Enduro sports. A very special product for which the Team-work of Suomy Spa has worked very hard: "'for us to make a copy of a motocross helmet, given our experience, should have been very easy and this is what everybody should have done . But our goal was to do a real cycle helmet , it was hard but we did it ". These are the words of the R & D Responsible, Valter Monti. JUMPER is based on a patent by Suomy Spa that combines the in-molding technology, widely used for the realization of cycle helmets, with the use of a shell made of carbon/Kevlar fibers fabrics. This new technology has allowed Suomy Spa to realize a product whose weight is below 700 grams. An incredible success if you consider that even the technical results and the shock absorptions are very much improved. In addition, JUMPER uses for its inside a hypoallergenic, antibacterial fabric, treated with carbon inserts, clearly visible. The carbon inserted in the fabric makes it particularly athermic, maintaining the inside temperature of the helmet cool and fresh. Of course the inner padding is easily removable and washable and both cheek pads are equipped with a quick release mechanism, to be used in case of fall. A product of high range that definitely is worth the 399,00 required. www.suomysport.com

The Wingman is perfect for cyclists and allows you to ride every day of the week â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no more driving shirts in on the weekend! The recommended load is one suit and a shirt, along with shoes toiletries and a towel in the gym bag. Alternatively the Wingman can be used without the gym bag, to keep the load light. The Wingman Backpack has semi-rigid vertical ribs (made from 100 percent recycled plastic) which restricts the diameter of the suit bag when rolled, minimising garment creases. This is what differentiates the Wingman from its poorer cousins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; traditional fold in half suit bags. www.henty.cc/nz We have 1 x Henty Wingman Backpack valued at $239 NZD to giveaway. Enter online at www.endurancesport.co.nz

Giveaw

Pic's Peanut Butter Six Hearty Shots of the World’s Finest Smooth Peanut Butter Pic’s Peanut Butter Slugs are perfect for bikers, hikers and “lunchers" - a hearty slug of protein anywhere, anytime you need it. Pic's Peanut Butter Slugs are a shot-sized sachet of lightly salted smooth peanut butter, designed to be eaten straight out of the pack. With a five star Health Rating, they are a delicious and healthy choice for anyone looking for a nutritious and energy-filled snack. The 30g slugs are available singly, or in packs of six (the latter includes a Pic’s star branded bulldog clip for sealing half full slugs for eating later). Pic’s Peanut Butter Slugs are available from www.reallygood. co.nz and coming soon to selected New World supermarkets, specialty food stores and outdoor lifestyle shops. We have 6 Pic’s Peanut Butter Slugs to giveaway. Enter online at www.endurancesport.co.nz

Giveaw

THE ROAD TRIP RE-ENGINEERED

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The all new Podium® collection has been completely re-engineered for unmatched performance. A redesigned self-sealing Jet Valve™ offers a spill-proof interface, while a new ergonomic lockout dial allows for leak-proof transport. Now equipped with a removable silicone nozzle, cleaning is easier than ever. For an insulated option, choose the Podium® Chill and keep your water cold twice as long.

FEATURE

MUD BIKE STORE

PROFILE Mud Cycles is one of New Zealand's iconic bike stores based in Wellington. Having been around since mountain biking became popular, Mud Cycles has developed quite a following over more than two decades. NZBike finds out how this store is moving with the times today. NZB: How long have you been in business? MC: Muds has been around for nearly 23 years. Myself and Ricky have owned and operated the business for three years now.

NZB: What type of bikes do you stock? MC: Merida, Laprierre, Kona, Marin, Apollo & Radius

NZB: What is your favourite local ride? MC: Deliverance, nice keep you honest oldschool singletrack that if you relax will have ya!

NZB: What is unique about your store? What key services do you offer? MC: As well as the usual bikes, parts and accessories Muds specializes in Mountain bike rentals and a full service workshop. Ricky's workshop can handle the jandal of anything you could throw at him! Being based right by Wellingtons Crown Jewel the Makara MTB park we are pretty much the "go to shop" for anything related to trail information or Bike rentals for the Wellington region which now has a truly massive network of singletrack.

bike, An old Bauer turned into a fixie of doom! Don's bike Turner 5 spot Martine's bikes Beone CX, Lightbike chinese 29er HT

NZB: Has being involved in the bike industry come about because of your passion with cycling? MC: Yes... That and insanity? Rickys life has pretty much revolved around bikes constantly since he was a lil grom, leaving him with a pretty encyclopedic knowledge of bikes and bike parts. It's pretty much impossible to imagining him doing anything else. Dave came into bikes later in his life when his surfing mates spent their student loans on bikes in the very early nineties and started dragging Dave out into the Waitakere's to poach trails.... Never looked back and by 1995 he was riding a Mountain bike across the Himalaya's, and building trails in Riverhead and Woodhill.

NZB: Who do you cater for most? MC: Well it's a 50/50 split really, about half beginners and half hardcore's on full suspension bikes.

NZB: Anything else you would like to share? NZB: How many staff do you have? MC: Three full time Dave, Ricky and Don and one part timer Martine.

NZB: What bikes are you currently riding?

FEATURE

MC: Dave's bikes Lapierre Zesty, Cove Hummer, Meranti frankinstein CX bike (half Merida half Avanti), 1990 Raleigh Terrain buster (for retro races) Ricky's bikes Kona Process 153, LightBike chinese 29er HT XC race

MC: Muds has just shifted into a new home. Our old site fell into the hands of developers so we had to move, the new building is the old Terawhiti bowling club in Karori park (drive on access from the bottom of Makara Rd). The Wellington City Council have been super generous and offered us a really good long term lease so that out nomadic moving days are now over at last! As part of our agreement with the council we will be developing a large pumptrack area this summer near the shop in the park.â&#x20AC;˘

As part of our agreement with the council we will be developing a large pumptrack area this summer near the shop in the park

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

MUD'S NEW HOME IN KARORI PARK

FEATURE

TAIPEI CYCLE SHOW Words & Images: Darryl Carey

FEATURE

The 2015 Taipei Cycle Show was sold out with 3,307 booths with exhibiters from 1,104 companies from all around the world, covering all four floors of the Nangang Exhibition Centre.

With a power assist bike, you can ride up to 60kph with minimal effort and get to work comfortably, without sweating like a crazy person Darryl Carey

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

TAITRA who organized the Taipei Cycle Show explained the show will grow to 5000 plus booths in 2017 when the construction of the second exhibition hall is completed, across the road from the existing hall. Steel was back again this year at the show with a number of big brands making a road bike with steel mainframe, fitted with super lightweight carbon forks. Eddy Merckx’s had a limited edition ‘Eddy 70’ bike at the show, honoring the 70th birthday of Eddy Merckx. A few Japanese brands had a very unique and classic style to their steel frames. Road disc brakes seemed to have slowed down this year at the show. But a leading designer of one of the biggest bike brands reports that they are not fading out and will be coming back in a big way over the next year. Carbon wheels have come down in price over last few years as most companies have found a way around the patent problems, which is great for carbon fans. We all know how bad the braking can be on a carbon rim when wet, so this is where disc brakes will play a big part of getting the braking right for carbon rims. Battery power-assist bikes have taken over the show this year, as technology in batteries and the power units have become a lot lighter and was very popular at the show, shown through many different designs around the show. With more and more cycle lanes being installed in cities around New Zealand, this type of bicycle will

FEATURE

become a big part of the daily commute to and from work. With a power assist bike, you can ride up to 60kph with minimal effort and get to work comfortably, without sweating like a crazy person like you would on a standard bike. On your way home, you can then turn off the power assist so you can burn some calories and contribute to your regular exercise regime as per doctors’ orders. Other highlights from the show includes an award winning bamboo self-build frameset which won a gold award at the show, fat tyre bikes for kids, the world’s first bluetooth bicycle pump called iGauge and an electric city bike from Peugeot that will fit in the boot of your car and can carry a laptop bag, groceries and even a small crate of beer. Overall, it was a fantastic show with many exciting lineup of what to expect in the upcoming year. •

24 IMAGE: ALAN OFOSKI

keep up with the latest cycling news from nz and abroad

FEATURE

52000 kilometers

by bike Images: Jeremy Scott

Life is beautiful. Dasht-e Lut Desert, Iran

FEATURE

Can you imagine the sound of water and sand swishing slowly backwards and forwards in the bottom of a shallow tray? Jeremy Scott was born with a serious congenital heart defect and the sound you could imagine was what his mother could hear when she rested her head on her tiny son’s chest as the blood surged in and out of the massive hole. This condition cruelly denied Jeremy the opportunity to live the life of a normal healthy child as he simply couldn’t get enough blood to his arms and legs.

Jeremy’s cardiologist was the renowned Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes and with his condition rapidly deteriorating; Sir Brian and his team at Greenlane Hospital were forced to operate when Jeremy was four years old, earlier than they would have preferred. The operation performed back in 1977 turned out to be a huge success and allowed Jeremy to go on and live a full active life. Thanks to Sir Brian’s remarkable work, Jeremy was finally able to play with his friends. Thirty four years after the surgery that changed his life, Jeremy found himself living in a large flat in West London which he shared with 6 other party loving, travel loving antipodeans. For years thoughts of exciting and wild adventures had filled his head. He craved a challenge that would push him far beyond anything he had ever previously attempted but if the truth was known, he lacked the confidence of self-belief to

do anything about it. Finally an idea popped into his head and something clicked. For some reason he knew the time had come to stop making excuses and take that first step into the unknown. As insane as it may sound, the day Jeremy set off on his bicycle from London to New Zealand was the very first time he had ever cycled with a full set of panniers and he was incredibly unfit having undergone knee reconstruction to rebuild a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament only 7 months earlier. Most people thought he was grossly underprepared. Jeremy felt he would simply learn on the road. This journey tested Jeremy both mentally and physically as he came to grips with his epic challenge. Temperatures ranged from -20 degrees Celsius in the mountains of Eastern Turkey to over 50 degrees in the Taklamakan Desert, West China.

POST SANDSTORM SELFIE Dasht-e Lut Desert, Iran

Cycling in sandstorms Taklamakan Desert, China

very happy boy in front of the Yeni Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

SNOWY SELFIE Honshu, Japan

With no support crew Jeremy carried absolutely everything he needed to survive in those incredibly hostile environments. At times his loaded bike weighed in excess of 65 kilos as he carried days’ worth of food and water. Encounters with both the Iranian and Filipino Mafia left Jeremy fearing for his life and in one case, feeling he had no choice but to kill at least one man, if not three men if he was to see the light of day. He was interrogated and accused of spying, robbed in Cambodia and had to fight an Uzbek shepherd who tried to steal his camera when Jeremy stopped to offer him food. Each and every sandstorm, typhoon, mountain or desert Jeremy encountered and conquered only made him that little bit stronger. A chance encounter in Vietnam with a kiwi man called Warren Bowers really opened Jeremy’s eyes to how fortunate he had been in life. By sheer

coincidence, Warren’s younger brother Paul was also operated on by Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes but tragically Paul didn’t survive the procedure. Paul’s operation was performed two years before Jeremy’s. Warren and Jeremy quickly realised that lessons had been learnt from Paul’s operation which probably helped save Jeremy’s life just two years later. It is pretty hard to look a man in the eye and say “Warren; I am so incredibly sorry but I think your brother’s death has gone a long way towards saving my life” This profound encounter made Jeremy realise how selfish he had been until that point. He had been raising money and awareness for the New Zealand, Australian and British Heart Foundations as a way of saying thank you because of “his story”. He went to bed that night realising it wasn’t about him; it was about those awaiting surgery and those less fortunate. It was about honouring people like Paul and helping other

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

At times his loaded bike weighed in excess of 65 kilos as he carried days’ worth of food and water

FEATURE

'Molly' parked up in front of the stunning Mt Ararat, Turkey

families from suffering the same fate. While Jeremy was fortunate enough to cycle through some of the most remote and breath taking corners of the planet, it was the people he met on route who shall forever warm his heart. Time and time again Jeremy was left completely overwhelmed by the incredible acts of kindness offered by complete strangers from all walks of life, race and religion. The hospitality and unbelievable generosity he received in countries like Iran will completely destroy so many Westerners horribly inaccurate preconceptions of the country and it’s beautiful people. He learnt that poverty breeds kindness and it was those with the least to give who often gave the most. Having been the beneficiary of so much kindness from complete strangers in countries like Iran he asked himself the question “Would all of these beautiful, warm hearted people who had done so much to help me, receive the same heart-warming hospitality and generosity from strangers if they were to visit my country?” Jeremy felt embarrassed and ashamed by the answer… With practically no experience or training, Jeremy completed a solo, self-funded, 51,916km bicycle ride through 29 countries, nervously starting in London and finishing in a wave of emotion at the Auckland Medical School over 2 ½ years later where friends, family and the New Zealand Heart Foundation were there to welcome a kiwi boy home.

During his journey Jeremy raised almost $20,000 for the New Zealand, Australian and British Heart Foundations and continues to support these incredible charities through the sale of his stunning large format coffee table book “The Long Road From A Broken Heart” . While this beautiful story of self-discovery will leave you feeling genuinely inspired, Jeremy’s stunning photographs from the road will render you speechless. The Long Road From A Broken Heart isn’t only a story about life in the saddle, it is a beautiful example of what anyone can achieve if they believe in themselves and have the courage to chase their dreams. To anyone harbouring thoughts of their own personal adventure, he says “It doesn’t require courage to cycle around the world; it requires courage to turn an idea into reality and get on the bike that very first day. Once you have committed to a challenge of any description or magnitude, you realise it’s simply one day at a time”. Jeremy’s beautiful and inspirational book can be purchased through his website www.jeremyscott.com.au with 10% of every book sold in New Zealand being donated to the New Zealand Heart Foundation. Some years ago Jeremy was so petrified of speaking in public that he refused to speak at his own parents wedding anniversary yet he is now an inspirational and highly entertaining guest speaker. It just shows that anything is possible…if you believe.•

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TOUR DE KOREA STAGE5

punching above its weight ROAD CYCLING

Words: Aaron S Lee

Newly licensed New Zealand Continental team takes first step toward Tour de France aspirations and NZ Bike gets the scoop on their first year flying the Kiwi flag.

When Avanti Racing Team co-owners Andrew Christie-Johnston and Steve Price found themselves on the outside looking in at many of the emerging UCI Asia Tour races popping up off the shores of Australia, the Tasmanian tandem knew it was time to make a change – an address change that is. After 15 years of existence as an Australianlicensed Continental team, the most dominant team in Australia’s National Road Series (NRS) officially registered in New Zealand last September in hopes of starting its long journey toward one day racing on the Champs-Elysées on day in Paris. But first things first – the Avanti Racing Team needs money. “We operate on $300,000, so it’s a very small budget compared to some of the big teams,” Christie-Johnston told NZ Bike. “At nearly every UCI race we are the lowest funded team. In the NRS, we are one of the bigger teams, but clearly not as wealthy as Drapac who has a few million dollars in their budget. “But I think we do pretty well with the money we have behind us. It’s always tight and none of the staff take a salary. Everything we make goes to the riders and team operations, which includes massive amounts toward travel.” According to Christie-Johnston, travel is a necessity for the team to reach its goal of racing amongst the world’s elite in Europe. “Moving to New Zealand is a different step for

us,” he admits. “We are really struggling getting starts in Asia and since we’ve registered we are certainly getting a few more starts.” For example, Avanti failed to secure a bid to Tour de Taiwan in 2014, but this year was readily accepted. In return, newly signed Kiwi Patrick Bevin took a stage and finished first on points, second in the mountains and fourth overall. “It’s a smart move, at the end of the day,” explained Christie-Johnston. “The Kiwis are a lot like Aussies and they are good blokes and we all get along well. It’s nice to be developing more of an Oceania-type team and not just Australians.” While cycling success has generally followed the Avanti program over the past decade and a half, key commercial partnerships have often eluded the cash-strapped franchise. “We haven’t really made any end roads in New Zealand yet commercially,” said ChristieJohnston. “I think that you can’t just sign up somewhere and expect that they just throw money at you. “I think we have to prove we are serious about developing homegrown talent and hopefully if we can deliver a Kiwi rider to the WorldTour this year, they will see us a very serious stepping stone and hopefully that will lead to some sort of commercial investment.” The pathway for Avanti to reach its long-term goal is perhaps through Christie-Johnston calls his “short-term” plans.

“We sort of re-adjusted a bit,” said ChristieJohnston. “Orica-GreenEdge was the first WorldTour team from Australia. We never expected to be there, but with Drapac going Pro Conti we are chasing a lot of the same sponsors. “Our goal has always been to race the Tour de France and you don’t have to be a WorldTour team to do that,” he explained. “You only need Pro Conti status and show you have a decent roster of riders. “We think our becoming the first New Zealand team to race the Tour is a realist goal, we just have to find a commercial partner that is willing to invest in that.” Avanti has always punched above its weight in terms of financial backing compared to other regional Continental and Pro Continental squads. In perspective, the team’s entire budget is third of what a top rider for a WorldTour team could earn. But Avanti does as good as any other team in making the most of the money they have. “If we did have a bigger budget we would certainly step up another level again and be serious contenders at races far bigger than the ones we are competing at right now,” said Christie-Johnston, who claims Orica-GreenEdge runs on $10 million annually compared to a couple of million for Drapac Pro Cycling. “Orica-GreenEdge spend their budget really well,” he added. “At the end of the day, they’re missing a grand tour rider, but that takes a lot

of money. “Looking at their budget they sit 12th or 13th budget-wise in the WorldTour. “They definitely punch above their weight in terms of their results.” Orica-GreenEdge is not the only overachieving team Down Under. Since the inception of the Avanti Racing Team in 2000, then aptly named Praties after the potato-based fast-food franchise owned by both Christie-Johnston and Price, the team has won an unprecedented five straight NRS titles, producing three straight series champions, and sending a staggering seven riders to the WorldTour. Under the tutelage of Christie-Johnston and Price, Team Sky riders Richie Porte and Nathan Earle, as well as Cannondale-Garmin’s Nathan Haas have all called a version of the Avanti Racing Team home. Reigning two-time Australian criterium champion and former Garmin rider Steele von Hoff (NFTO) and former Argos-Shimano rider Will Clarke (Drapac Pro Cycling) have also spent time under the Avanti learning tree. Most recently, U23 world time trial champion Campbell Flakemore (BMC Racing Team) and 2013 NRS champion Jack Haig (OricaGreenEdge) have taken than next giant leap and add to Avanti’s growing list of prestigious alumni. With the team’s domination of Aussie cycling now complete, the only thing left for the Continental team to do is venture abroad

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TOUR DE KOREA ADVANTI RACING TEAM PODIUM STAGE8

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in search of greener pastures and fresher talent pools. “One of the things we are most proud of is sending seven riders to the WorldTour,” said Christie-Johnston. “But for us to continue developing athletes for the next level it’s important for us to get them to key races.” Under the current UCI rules for Continental country registration, a team must roster more than half of its squad from national riders, meaning of Avanti’s new 16-man line-up, nine are from New Zealand, including returning riders Taylor Gunman and reigning national road race champion and 2014 NRS winner Joe Cooper, as well as new signees Patrick Bevin, reigning junior track world champions Luke Mudgeway and Regan Gough, 2009 team sprint world champion Cameron Karwowski and Commonwealth Games pro triathlete Tom Davison. Avanti officials have made no secret their desire to take the next step, but admit that jump comes with a hefty price tag that they are not currently in a position to pay. “It takes about a $2 million (AUD) budget to go Pro Conti and that’s a massive step up,” said Price. “We are probably about $1.5 million short of that total. At Pro Conti, everyone on the team, riders and support staff, are paid a minimum wage and at the moment we do not have that ability to fund everyone.” The team would like to increase its budget by

MITCHELL LOVELOCK FAY STAGE 5 TOUR DE KOREA

another $300,000 annually to make life easier at the Continental level, and in the increasingly crowded and competitive Australian market he has identified New Zealand as the team’s next best option to grow. “Only a few years ago there were no Pro Conti or WorldTour teams in Australia and now there is one of each,” added Christie-Johnston. “You can’t speak to potential sponsors about having the first team in the Tour de France because it has already happened in Australia. “But it has not in New Zealand and we just need to get a commercial partner on board that would like to see a team in the Tour and these are the steps we have identified we need to take to find that commercial partner and help us make that happen.”

The 2015 Avanti Racing Team includes: Patrick Bevin (NZ), Jason Christie (NZ), Joseph Cooper (NZ), Thomas Davison (NZ), Ben Dyball (AUS), Anthony Giacoppo (AUS), Fraser Gough (NZ), Regan Gough (NZ), Taylor Gunman (NZ), Cameron Karwowski (NZ), Scott Law (AUS), Mitchell Lovelock-Fay (AUS), Luke Mudgeway (NZ), Mark O’Brien (AUS), Patrick Shaw (AUS) and Neil Van Der Ploeg (AUS).

Aaron S. Lee is a cycling and triathlon columnist for Eurosport and a guest contributor to NZ Bike Magazine.

Our goal has always been to race the Tour de France and you don’t have to be a WorldTour team to do that Christie Johnston

PATRICK BEVIN WINS STAGE 4 OF THE TOUR DE KOREA

After seven podiums at Tour de Korea (UCI 2.1), including a sprint win over Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge), it is safe to say that 24-year-old Kiwi Patrick Bevin (Avanti Racing Team) has arrived. Apparently, NZ Bike was not the only one that took notice of Bevin’s bike skills. “I’m sure there are two or three teams interested from the WorldTour and why wouldn’t they be,” Orica-GreenEdge team manager Shayne Bannan told NZ Bike on the final day of the race. “He’s pretty impressive this week, as well as the Sun Tour earlier this year. “Hopefully, he is one that we will see in the WorldTour next year.” For the past five years, the Avanti Racing Team has been collecting Australian National Road Series titles and churning out ProTour riders in assembly line-like fashion – and it now looks as though Bevin is next in line. However, Bevin’s rise to prominence was not a smooth ride. The North Island native even came close to walking away from the sport in 2013 following a disappointing four-year stint riding for US-based Bissell Pro Cycling (CT). Instead of leaving the sport, Bevin turned his attention toward the highly touted national track program and took gold in the Madison with teammate Tom Scully at the UCI World Cup in Mexico last year. Bevin would later be selected for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but claims his relationship with the

boards was rocky at best. “The track was really hard,” Bevin told NZ Bike. “I came from nowhere and had no help from the federation, and spent about $20,000 just to be in the ballpark with the equipment to race – the Oceania champs cost me a fortune. “After the World Cup win, I had a pretty good nationals and won the points race and came second in the pursuit, and that put me on the radar for the CommGames. “But I didn’t get to start in the points race and was just in the pursuit in Glasgow, so that stung a bit.” In the meantime, Bevin took two stages and the points classification at An Post Rás (Rás Tailteann or the Rás) last May. Bevin’s success in Ireland caught the attention of Australian Continental team Search2Retain (S2R), which lured Bevin back to the road. While riding for S2R in the latter part of last year, Bevin bounced back to both physical and mental form with stage and race wins at the National Capital Tour and the Tour of Tasmania. According to Avanti co-owner and sports director Andrew Christie-Johnston, the decision to sign Bevin to the next level is an absolute no-brainer. “There is no risk in signing Paddy,” said Christie-Johnston. “Whatever team gets his signature will be pretty bloody happy with what they get,” claimed Christie-Johnston. “Paddy is the closest to being ProTour ready,”

he continued. “Although Richie slotted in pretty quick as a neo-pro and won the white jersey at the Giro. All the others for different reasons – be it there age or whatever – were slotted into a working role. “Whilst a team will most probably put Paddy into that working role initially, he has the ability to step in and immediately win races and I think he’s ready and he is certainly be one of the best – if not the best – rider we’ve ever had on this team.” As for the future, the current NRS leader and Herald Sun Tour runner up, who bested OricaGreenEdge’s Cameron Meyer (AUS) and Simon Clarke (AUS) atop the infamous Arthur’s Seat to claim stage 4 in February, says that while he dreams of WorldTour selection, he does not lose sleep while waiting for an opportunity to present itself. “Of course I want to go on,” said the 2015 Tour de Taiwan double stage winner. “By coming here I’ve put a lot of faith in their hands so you have to see that through. I rely on guys like Andrew and [team co-owner Steve Price] to help me make these decisions and we will figure out what’s best. “That’s where I’ve fallen down in the past by doing the opposite of listening to people I trust,” Bevin concluded. “I go to bed worrying about tomorrow’s stage, not WorldTour contracts, but make no mistake that’s most definitely where I want to be.”

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Could Patrick Bevin be next?

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TOUR DE KOREA 2015 STAGE 6

Tom Davison: Making a transition...

ROAD CYCLING

Andrew Christie-Johnston has always had an eye for talent. The Avanti Racing Team coowner and sports director has discovered some of Australia’s most talented road cyclists from non-traditional backgrounds, such as mountain biking and triathlon. Australian riders such as Nathan Haas (Cannondale-Garmin), Nathan Earle (Team Sky), Jack Haig (Orica-GreenEdge) and former Garmin-Sharp rider and reigning twotime Australian criterium champion Steele von Hoff (NFTO) have all come from successful mountain biking backgrounds, while Team Sky’s Richie Porte, who is rumoured to soon sign with BMC, comes from a triathlon pedigree.

Enter Tom Davison. The former triathlete-turned-roadie is not the first multisport athlete Avanti has taken a gamble on with Porte also sharing a similar triathlon background. Unlike Porte, who dabbled briefly in the sport as a junior, Davison spent six years deeply entrenched with the New Zealand national team at both the junior and senior elite levels. The former ITU World Cup participant and Olympic hopeful even spent a year on the nondrafting half-Ironman circuit before returning to Olympic draft-legal racing to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games in July.

“I took a shot at the New Zealand road nationals last year, and did OK,” a modest Davison told NZ Bike last December, referring to his shockingly close third-place finish to 2014 road race champion Hayden Roulston (Trek Factory Racing) and runner up Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp) in January. “It was after that race I began to seriously think that a career in cycling had some legs.” Coming off an injury in Glasgow, Davison realised it was now or never to make the switch and reached out to Avanti to join the team. This year, the 25-year-old Christchurch native finished second in the national road race behind teammate Joe Cooper. Davison has also posted results with two top 5 stage finishes at the Tour of Japan, as well as a fifthplace finish on general classification at the New Zealand Cycle Classic. “Although I was 100 per cent focused on triathlon last year, cycling was still there in the back of my mind,” confided Davison. “I got injured at the CommGames and had to have some time off and that helped me make the decision to dive head first into the new sport.” According to Christie-Johnston, who had very little data on the Girona-based Davison, his results at nationals coupled with his Strava reports made quite an impression on the veteran sports director. “Davison is very good on the bike,” he said.

“His numbers are some of the best we have ever had on the team. “I’m not a massive Strava follower but it was hard to find out what he had been doing because he has really only done a handful of bike races before. But if you look at his profile on Strava you will see he owns several records on the climbs around Girona and there are several current Grand Tour riders on the list below him.” While Davison does not rule out a return to triathlon, particularly Ironman down the road, he is in no hurry to return to early morning swim training anytime soon. “If I never do another brick session again, it will be too soon,” said the 24-year-old from Christchurch, who is known for his powerful swim stroke. “That being said, in joining a team as successful as Avanti, I feel that I have literally stepped off into the deepest end of the pool possible. “I am just really grateful to be on this team and I just need to sit back and be respectful to the guys that have been around and learn from them. “I know I will always get some ‘friendly’ comments about my triathlon background, but luckily I have some pretty thick skin. “Ultimately, it’s a great group of guys on this team and I look forward to learning the ropes and contributing where I can.”•

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NO LIMITS Scott Ambrose Words: Aaron S. Lee

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Everything was changing for aspiring pro cyclist Scott Ambrose as he sat in an Auckland medical clinic receiving the news that his lack of form over latter half of his 2013 season was directly attributed to type 1 diabetes. For the then 18-year-old North Island native, who was coming off a successful junior campaign with Under-19 French team VCC Morteau Montbenoit, the news was a bit of a jolt. “I remember calling my coach at the time, Gordon McCauley, from my hospital bed in tears and telling him about my diagnosis and asking him just what that meant in terms of my cycling career,” Ambrose told NZ Bike during a pre-race interview at the Tour of Turkey in April. “He knew about Team Novo Nordisk (TNN) and assured me my career was not over.” Upon hearing the news of Ambrose’s diagnosis, retired cyclist and TNN athlete Justin Morris made contact with the young Kiwi and asked if he was interested in hearing more about the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team. “The CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland emailed me a couple of weeks after Justin reached out and asked if I wanted to join the development team for a tryout and I immediately jumped on board,” said the 2011 Junior Tour of Canberra winner. “I flew to the team headquarters in Atlanta and won a few races there and got invited to be stagiaire with the pro team last year.” Standing at 177cm and weighing 66kg, the former triathlete-turned-road cyclist was the picture of perfect health, until a dramatic weight loss (10kgs) and deterioration in performance caused Ambrose to take notice and immediately

seek medical attention. “I just kept training as hard as I could but going nowhere,” said Ambrose. “I was just about to stop and quit the sport altogether as all the hard work was going nowhere and I was getting depressed. Then one morning I went in for a blood test and found out that day I had type 1.” While a shock for Ambrose personally, he was familiar with the disease and sought guidance and support from one Bernie Fuller, who also lives with diabetes. “My grandfather has type 1 diabetes and he was like my idol from that point on,” admitted Ambrose. “He taught me so much.” “A doctor cannot be with you all the time, so he was my go-to man and my rock when I was first getting into that process.” With type 1, Ambrose must use a glucose meter (glucometer) to monitor his glucose levels by pricking his finger to draw blood at least 10 times per day – primarily before meals, or while participating in physical activity such as training or racing. Unlike type 2 diabetes, which most commonly occurs in adults and can be prevented or delayed by a healthy lifestyle, type 1 usually starts in childhood or young adults and cannot be prevented. While there are no episodes of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in type 2 patients, unless the person is taking insulin or certain diabetes medicines, hypoglycemia is common for those with type 1. “That day I was out of the hospital, I was teaching myself how to ride with diabetes and month and a half later I was racing the New

IMAGE: TEAM NOVO NORDISK

New Zealand’s Scott Ambrose does not allow diabetes diagnosis to derail his pro cycling dreams and aspirations…

Zealand Cycling Classic, so it was a pretty quick turnaround,” said Ambrose. “My training and diet is the same as any other cyclists, the only difference is we have to manage our glucose levels. Sometimes we have a little bit more or less sugar, but if we can manage our glucose correctly we can eat the same and perform as well as anyone else.” For Ambrose the discovery was not all bad. “Getting diagnosed is pretty serious,” he explained. “But for me it was like a relief because I finally knew what was wrong with me. It sounds funny, but I was happy to know something was wrong as now I could fix it.” Since joining TNN, Ambrose wasted little time graduating from the development squad and ascended the pecking order to team captain. His solo victory on stage 2 at Le Tour de Filipinas (UCI 2.2) gave TNN its first win since turning UCI Pro Continental two years ago. Ambrose would go on to finish the race

Many people who have it are accomplishing some amazing things Scott Ambrose

with the points classification jersey, as well as a podium (third) in the youth classification and 11th overall. From there, Ambrose has gained valuable experience at Tour de Taiwan (2.1), Volta Ciclística Internacional do Rio Grande do Sul (2.2), the Amgen Tour of California (2.HC), and even played an instrumental role in guiding teammate Javier Mejías (ESP) to a 10th-place finish at the Presidential Tour of Turkey (2.HC). “Scott is very talented and very focused,” said team sports director and corporate vice president, Vassili Davidenko. “He is very young and was diagnosed not long ago, and our goal is provide him the support he needs to personally understand how to manage diabetes, and once he understands how manage diabetes he will then achieve good results both on and off the bike – and that is what’s most important here at TNN.” According to Ambrose, now 20, what’s most important for him professionally and personally

is a shot on the biggest stage of them all – Le Tour de France. “Our long-term goal is the Tour in 2021,” said Ambrose, who also has sights set on a business degree post-cycling. “That’s what we are targeting because that marks 100 years since insulin was produced and that’s a pretty special year for diabetic. “Personally, my goals are to see how far I can go as a cyclist,” he continued. “I don’t know what my limits are yet, but I want to see what they are and continue to help my team achieve their goal of the Tour de France.” As for self-confessed breakaway enthusiast’s short term goals? One doesn’t have look too far from home. “I love racing Down Under in Australia and New Zealand, and I’d love to win the Tour of Southland – that was a race that I was building up for when I was diagnosed and was forced to miss out,” said Ambrose.

“That’s one I most definitely have my eye on.” And what about his coming to terms with the disease? “It’s pretty special for me being so new to both diabetes and pro cycling to be around guys that can teach me about both,” said Ambrose. “If I ever need support I have 17 other guys that can help me straight away and we have the best doctors and staff in the world – it’s a pretty special team to be a part of actually. “I think the one thing that everyone can take with them is type 1 diabetes is not a death sentence, many people who have it are accomplishing some amazing things,” he concluded. “It’s a disease you can manage, so it’s not about feeling sorry for yourself, it’s about setting new goals and doing your best to achieve them – simple as that.” Aaron S. Lee is a cycling and triathlon columnist for Eurosport and a guest contributor to NZ Bike Magazine.•

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SCOTT AMBROSE TEAM NOVO NORDISK

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TEAM NOVO NORDISK TOUR DE TAIWAN 2015

IMAGE: SONOKO

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Racing to Change Diabetes

Their mission is simple: “To inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes, by riding, running, swimming, Team Novo Nordisk races to change diabetes.” Spawned off an idea from co-founder and CEO Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, to select a squad of eight riders diagnosed with type 1diabetes to ride the grueling 4,800-kilometre Race Across America (RAAM) in 2006 – a race they later win the following three years (2007-10). Team Novo Nordisk (TNN) is now comprised of nearly 100 athletes from over 20 countries, and regularly competes in more than 500 international cycling, mountain biking, cyclocross, triathlon and running events for both men and women annually. In regards to elite men’s cycling, after several years spent at the UCI Continental level as Team Type 1, the US-registered squad made the move to Pro Continental in 2011 and partnered with Danish multinational pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, which specialises in diabetes care medications and devices, in 2013. “More than 280 million people are affected by diabetes around the world,” said former pro cyclist and team corporate vice president Vassili Davidenko. “And these same people want to see fellow diabetes sufferers riding and competing against the best athletes in the world. Our young men and women are proof that diabetes is not a prison sentence.” Of the 18-man roster, two are from Australia, Chris Williams (QLD) and James Glasspool (SA), while one hails from New Zealand –

Auckland’s Scott Ambrose, who was diagnosed just two years ago with type 1. “We’re the youngest team in the professional peloton,” said Davidenko. “We have the best coaches, medical staff and equipment available for our riders to succeed. “We recruit young riders from the juniors and our development team, and once they improve, they have chance to move to pro level.” TNN holds talent identification camps from it’s US headquarters in Atlanta throughout the year and attract athletes from ages 12 and up. With more than 1.2 million followers on Facebook alone, TNN has the largest social media reach in all of pro cycling. “I think we have proved that it’s not about diabetes,” said Davidenko. “Yes, it exists, but life doesn’t stop if you have diabetes. You can continue to achieve your dreams, you just need to manage your diabetes on a daily basis – TNN is proof of that.” Most recently, TNN achieved nine top 10 finishes collectively while racing in two continents simultaneously at Tour de Korea and Tour de Beauce in June, bringing the squad’s current season total to 25 top 10 finishes. “So far this year, Team Novo Nordisk has earned more top 10 finishes than our entire 2014 season,” said Southerland. “The dedication and hard work of every single athlete is paying off and the entire organisation is really proud of what they have accomplished on the road.”•

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MOUNTAIN BIKING

Culture: MAori culture on display at Te Puia for the Crankworx opening ceremony

MOUNTAIN BIKING

IMAGE: CLINT TRAHAN

A gathering of the bike-minded, Crankworx Rotorua brought together the world’s mountain biking legends along with the rising stars and superfans for a five-day festival of contests, culture, concerts and mountain bike mastery. Capturing the world’s attention, all eyes were on Skyline Rotorua’s Gravity Park as riders threw down massive tricks and shredded dirt gold. 2016 Crankworx World Tour kicks off in Rotorua from the 9th - 13th March.

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Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle: Cam Zink throws back some steezy moves in the Crankworx Rotorua slopestyle

IMAGE: CHESTER BOYES

Dirt gold: Athletes were shredding Rotorua’s famous dirt gold

IMAGE: CHESTER BOYES

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IMAGE: CLINT TRAHAN

Mons Royale Dual Speed and Style (Adrien Loron): Tricks were locked and loaded as riders’ battled it out in the Mons Royale Dual Speed and Style

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Giant Toa Enduro: Smart riding was compulsory to navigate the slippery carpet of unforgiving roots in the Giant Toa Enduro

Crankworx Downhill presented by iXS: Fans turned out in full force, getting amongst the massive Downhill action

IMAGE: CHESTER BOYES

Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS: Kiwi Wyn Masters gets some big air on the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill course

IMAGE: CLINT TRAHAN

Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox The crowd turnout was almost as epic as the battles in the Rotorua Pump Track Challenge

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Loic Bruni takes the Hot Seat carved by Te Puia|NZMACI as competitors fight to beat his winning downhill time

IMAGE: CHESTER BOYES

IMAGE: CLINT TRAHAN

CROCODILE TROPHY

Dream it – Live it – Share it AUSTRALIA 17.-25.10.2015AUSTRALIA

World's oldest and most iconic mountain bike stage race THE CROCODILE TROPHY is Australia‘s and the World‘s oldest and most iconic mountain bike stage race. It calls the

holiday paradise that is tropical North Queensland home and its stage plan from Cairns to Port Douglas is unique - every day is different! The nine days include lush rainforest trails, awesome single tracks in the so typical bushland surrounds; you‘llride through river crossings and the iconic Australian Outback and you‘ll finish on the breath-takingly beautiful Four Mile Beach. You can rely on a support crew that has decades of stage race experience, including mechanics, a chef, doctors and physio therapists, photographers and local experts setting up the daily feed zones out on track. Ride with over 100 cyclists from all over the world and Australia and for many this race is the challenge of a lifetime and for everyone it is an experience that they will never forget.

WWW.CROC.AT INFO@CROC.AT +43 676 3047584

PORT DOUGLAS

09_WETHERBY

01_SMITHFIELD

08_SYKBURY COFFEE 02_CAIRNS

LAKE TINAROO

03/04/05_ATHERTON

06/07_IRVINEBANK

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Words: Graeme Simpson

MOUNTAIN BIKING

They reckon that singlespeeding is hard and painful. Well, it can be hard, but after you get the hang of it, it’s just like riding a bike. And as for the painful part, once you get caught up in the colourful menagerie of the Singlespeed champs nothing seems to hurt (unless you have an inappropriate costume). Garth Weinberg, Rotorua, multiple New Zealand Singlespeed champion, past Australian Singlespeed champion and 2010 Singlespeed world champion.

The most unusual event on the New Zealand mountain bike calendar? Maybe. The national single speed championships are definitely the most colourful - with tattoos for the winning man and woman, beer short cuts, outrageous costumes and big, noisy spectator crowds. The Rotorua Singlespeed Society organised the 1st Pig and Whistle New Zealand Championships in 2008 and ran them again in 2009 and 2013 - as well as the Singlespeed World Championship in 2010. The nationals are always on the weekend closest to Anzac Day. In 2015, with the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli, it seemed an appropriate time for the 1st Anzac Singlespeed Championships. The weekend began at 5.30AM on Anzac Day when over 100 bikers gathered at the Pig and Whistle for the Society’s ride to the dawn service at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua. There were all sort of bikes - not just single speeds - and riders from all over New Zealand. They were joined by most of the big crew from Australia in town for the race, to ride the legendary Whakarewarewa trails and enjoy the Anzac camaraderie. Race day, Sunday April 26, dawned under gloomy skies, but the weather cleared by race start at 10AM. This was a giant game of Bullrush - riders with even plates at one end of the paddock running to their bikes at the other end. Odds, vice versa.

To prepare for a single speed race you practice some riding, maybe drink a few more beers than usual, a lot of people put hours of planning and prep into their costume and you think you’re good. However, as I found out, I’d not prepared for the most important part of the race – BIKE recognition. You need to be able to remember what your bike looks like laying on its side and then visualise that picture in your brain when scanning the scene of bikes laid everywhere to remember where it is and then recognise it. Clearly, this is not my forte - even when there were only two bikes left on the even numbered side, I only recognised my bike after someone had picked up the second last bike and only my bike was left. Sure, it meant that I didn’t get a terrific start and I was part of a very colourful conga line for quite some time. But that had its advantages. There is only 1st and equal 2nd in these races and my chance of winning was long gone, but I had equal second tied down. In the conga line the heckling was running thick and fast, both handed out and received. This is where the real Singlespeed race action lies. Brett Bellchambers, Canberra, Australia. 24-hour Solo Singlespeed World Champion. Meanwhile, at the sharp end of the race, a first timer was challenging a legend of New Zealand singlespeeding. Carl Jones, aka Spiderman, also from Rotorua and one of the country’s top cross-country pilots vs Garth Weinberg.

IMAGE: ALICK SAUNDERS

The pair traded the lead for three, tough, 11-kilometre laps, including climbs that left many of the field walking. Carl emerged from the forest with a healthy advantage as the rain came down again. He still had to down another Speight’s. As he struggled, Garth charged into the beer short cut. Experience showed as he shotgunned his beer. Just not quick enough to prevent Carl from taking a very narrow win. Garth was typically gracious in defeat. He’s that kind of man. The roar from the big crowd at the stream crossing on the Rosebank trail, close to the end of the course, continued as the other riders completed their final lap. What made the race a standout for me was its originality. There is nothing quite like it. For a heckler on the sideline, it was heaven - ultimate entertainment providing guaranteed

THE INFAMOUS & CROWD PLEASING STREAM CROSSING

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OVER 100 BIKERS GATHERED FOR ANZAC DAY DAWN PARADE

IMAGE: ALAN OFOSKI

hilarity at the infamous stream crossing. The roar from the crowd was electric. My sides were splitting with laughter. As a sponsor, the social media was constant; the buzz around the community was ripe. Word of mouth is king and there was plenty of that. I was a mere spectator, but I now have an overwhelming compulsion to take part. I don't own a singlespeed and have never even ridden one. That says it all really. You've cracked it. James Alexander, Ray White Rotorua, one of the race sponsors with the Bayfair office and keen mountain biker. As the sun came out, Katie O’Neill was among the riders rolling in. She is Carl’s partner and also one of our best cross-country riders. She’s recovering from injury and made it very clear she just wanted to dress up and have fun. Tattoo? No way. Her competitive streak came out, though, and

MOUNTAIN BIKING

ROB LEE AND ET

JONNY WAGHORN ALIEN RESURRECTION

MOUNTAIN BIKING

IMAGE: ALICK SAUNDERS

so did her class. She rode in slo-mo up to beer tent and, in the end, had to be helped across the finish line. MC Ra Bhana asked her if she’d take the tattoo. If not the title would go to the next woman across that line. She reluctantly - and bravely - accepted. I was so blessed to be a part of Sunday’s race - it reminded me of how special singlespeeding is to be a part of - and the big thing for me was the reconnection with the people I love. Tino arohanuitia ake tonu ake. Rawiri Bhana, Master of Ceremonies. The winners were sorted and heading to be inked. According to single speed tradition all the other riders did very well and were 2nd equal. There are few actual rules to singlespeed racing - don’t take yourself too seriously is one of them. The riders all understand that, including one of the L-plate, no-beer entries. Three days after dad [Kevin] built me a singlespeed bike, and I'd been for my first ride in the trees on it, I decided I wanted to give the champs a go. It was a chance to race a different type of MTB riding than I am used to. It was awesome going into it, knowing there would be a lot of laughs and fun, and no intense pressure to get a placing. I'll definitely be back next time. Dylan Walton aged 12, Rotorua. Others agreed. My mate and I came up from Wellington to do the event for the first time and brought our families with us. We had a fantastic long

IMAGE: ALICK SAUNDERS

weekend on and off the trails. Having prepped for the champs on the hills of Wellington, I thought I'd be well ready for the course. Your track designers proved me wrong. I found the 3rd lap tough going - especially on those sneaky, uphill switchbacks. This was more than offset by the festival atmosphere, the great costumes, the friendly volunteers, awesome organisation, the antics of that weird breed that is single speeders and everyone else who helped make it such a unique way to celebrate 100 years of the ANZACs...and it was sweet to come second equal. Rob Lee (plate #13). With beer, mtb and fancy dress, this was too good to be true. I rigged up my old 1990s varsity bike (minus the rear brake) and tracked down a mankini and a Santa suit. I did feel for the parents of children who witnessed the beer-swigging santa-kini. May they not be scarred for life with that sight - and, thankfully, even without a rear brake, I was scar less at the end, as well. Ho ho ho. Pete Edmondson, Tauranga. I loved the spirit, I loved the camaraderie, I loved the informality. I loved the culture. I loved the beer, I loved the costumes. Yes, I loved it. Karl McKnight, Rotorua. It’s not just the riders who feel this way. It always brings out the weird and wonderful. Sculling beer and riding 10km loops with only one gear appeals to almost no one. To see a couple of hundred people enter this race obviously means something special. 2015 has to be the best national singlespeed champs I’ve been to - yet.

Takurua Mutu, race bike scrutineer. Owner, Mountain Bike Rotorua and Event Director, Crankworx Rotorua. Wouldn't miss this for anything - the highlight of the MTB calendar, organised to perfection by a crazy committee. Love the casual atmosphere, the chaotic, confused start, fancy dress, the laughs, the incredible talent for sculling beer that some riders have and so much more. Each year the event gets crazier and the costumes better (boo-hiss to those who don't get into the spirit) and it's getting harder to do better than perfect. Paddi Hodgkiss, Rotorua, beer tent volunteer, with her husband Pat, since 2008. Costumes are always a very big part of the event. 2015 was no exception – with only a few outbreaks of the dreaded Lycra virus. The top three: Whanganui’s Wayne Gedye was in an astronaut suit with fire-extinguisher-fuelled rocket contrails. Maxime Bruneau from France was Jesus on the Cross. And Jonny Waghorn from Wellington was Alien. They shared a Rotorua Experience swag bag from Agroventures, OGO, Let’s Ride, Polynesian Spa, Raceline Karting and YHA TREKs Rotorua. Duncan Appleton, from Whanganui won the Nzo|Ride Central Surly Karate Monkey after a game of heads or tails at a rowdy prize giving at race HQ at the Pig and Whistle in downtown Rotorua. Winner of a city cruiser bike from Ray White Rotorua and Bayfair was Bernadette Mark from Auckland. She had a free entry from Nduro

KARL FITZFATRICK COMPLETE WITH PINK GATORS

Events, but insisted on donating $100 to the event’s charities, the RSA and Kidney Health New Zealand. The difference between this event and all others really boils down to the emotion, excitement and entertainment for riders and spectators, created by the organisers. A few other events get close, but none seem to succeed quite as well. As a photographer shooting these events since 2008, I continue to do so - not for any commercial gain - but because the whole event is just huge fun and for worthy charities. Mike Breen, Auckland, one of the outstanding event photography team. The Rotorua Singlespeed Society has a long history of making large donations to charity, including over $5000 to the Cancer Society in 2013. In 2015 the beneficiaries will be the RSA and Kidney Health New Zealand. One of the Society’s committee members, Lance Tavinor, is donating a kidney to his brother, Grant. “What Lance is doing puts everything else into perspective,” said Paul Laing from the Society. “He’s a mate and in Rotorua we help our mates out. The same with the RSA - our event is a bit silly, so it’s great to make contributions to more serious causes.” Support from local businesses and organisations is essential. “We are lucky to have long-term backing from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Nduro Events, the Pig and Whistle, RotoruaNZ.com and First Sovereign,” added Laing.

IMAGE: ALAN OFOSKI

WAYNE GEDYE PREPARES FOR TAKE OFF IMAGE: MIKE BREEN

The Society hopes to have the event back in Rotorua for the 10th anniversary in 2018. Wellington, Auckland and Queenstown all competed for the 2016 champs hosting rights after this year’s race. This involved beer, 16” wheeled bikes and spinning around with a broomstick held vertically above the nose (try it - it’s much harder than it sounds). Queenstown prevailed. And the spirit of singlespeeding lives on.

2015 has to be the best national singlespeed champs I’ve been to - yet Takurua Mutu

For more photos and video: facebook.co m/2015AnzacSinglespeedChamps.•

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

IMAGE: ALICK SAUNDERS

CARL JONES AKA SPIDERMAN CLAIMS VICTORY

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The

GHOST AWAKENS Words: Phil Rossett

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust has just announced that the wait is almost over. By December of this year, The Old Ghost Road will hold its official opening and stand complete – all 85 backcountry km’s from Lyell to Seddonville. In doing so, New Zealand will usher in its longest continuous single track and the northern West Coast’s new identity piece.

It’s been a while coming. The idea that grew into The Old Ghost Road began in early 2007 when four friends became infected with the idea of reviving long forgotten gold mining roads – and a 19th century dream of a road that never came to be – into the most audacious multi-use track attempted in New Zealand in recent times. You could more properly say that work began on The Old Ghost Road in the 1880s. An old reconnaissance map showed the intention of connecting West Coast gold fields at Lyell on the Buller River with promising new workings on the Mokihinui River north of Westport. Only the Lyell and Glasgow ranges stood in the way. No worries, right? Well that initiative died a hard death 18 km’s up both ends of the route as the unyielding country outlasted the gold booms. The roads were left as ghosts and nothing more. But not this time around. It seems passion for sharing and celebrating the wild wonders of the West Coast may well win the day. An unprecedented backcountry volunteer effort and a handful of visionary supporting agencies and funders have come to the party one by one. If ever there was a district looking for its 21st century identity it’s the Buller. If ever there was a project to show the way it’s The Old Ghost Road. Thousands of mountainbikers and trampers have already experienced portions of the track while construction has proceeded metre by metre. But that taste is but an appetizer compared to the feast that a through journey on The Old Ghost will offer. The Old Ghost Road is a Grade 4 mountainbiking trail - not for beginners or the meek. This is serious backcountry. The trail climbs 1200 vertical metres as it leaves the Buller River bound for alpine tussock atop the Lyell Range. The climb through the Lyell Gorge is steeped in history as you ride through the skeletons of ghost towns and mining relics around nearly every turn of the lovingly restored old dray road. At the Lyell Saddle you arrive at the first of four backcountry hut settlements that have been built by the trust with 100% volunteer labour. Next, the Lyell Range brings true alpine splendour ready to compete with anything on offer. Here, only an isolated winter blast will be in the way of year round enjoyment of The Old Ghost Road. The alpine section is anchored by the Ghost Lake Hut - already developing a spot on the list of must-visit New Zealand backcountry sites. Beyond Ghost Lake comes the newly hewn heart of The Old Ghost

IMAGE: EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Road that just might surprise, challenge and delight users’ like nothing that’s come before. There are narrow technical hand-built sections through country too precious and precarious to take even the tiniest of excavators. Small armies of volunteers have carved these sections with grubber instead. The Old Ghost Road traverses knife-edge ridges that you would never dream could host a bike trail. The “Dragon’s Tail”, “The Anvil”, “The Boneyard”, and “Solemn Saddle” and “The Hanging Judge” are all are poised to become house-hold names in the lexicon of New Zealand mountain biking. “It’s official and it seems a little surreal to even say it,” announces Phil Rossiter, chairman of the Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust. “People can start making their summer plans with full confidence“. In addition to hut bookings, the Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust works with a range of official partners that together will take the planning and the doing of the track to whole other levels. “There are a number of

www.oldghostroad.org.nz www.facebook.com/TheOldGhostRoad info@oldghostroad.org.nz •

The Old Ghost Road is a Grade 4 mountainbiking trail - not for beginners or the meek. This is serious backcountry Phil Rossett

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fantastic packages under development that will be ready ahead of this summer that will enable users to experience The Old Ghost Road in ways that have never been possible previously” says Rossiter. “They will cater for a wide range of needs – it’s an exciting time”. The Old Ghost Road traverses the ranges and rivers behind Westport. The trail is as little as 2 hours drive from Nelson or Picton and less than 4 hours from Christchurch. Sounds Air (www.soundsair.com) operates daily flights between Westport from Wellington. The Old Ghost Road team pride themselves on being responsive to your enquiries so check out their website, fire away with questions and start making your plans. Be among the first to ride The Ghost.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

GET THE FULL STORY HERE Issue #81 October 2015

Introduction 12 Newsbytes 16 Bike Talk

Features 20 Bike Store Profile – Mud Cycles 22 Taipei Bike Show 26 52,000 Kilometers by Bike 30 The Feel of Steel

Road

Tour of New Zealand

32 Avanti Racing Team – Punching above its weight 38 Profile: Scott Ambrose 42 Tour of New Zealand 46 Sweet Ride: Velo Raw 48 Freedom on Two Wheels 50 To Tame a Dragon

Bike Bling 52 Cycling Must Haves

Schools 54 Takapuna Grammar

BMX 56 Profile: Luke Brooke-Smith

MTB CX Hawkes Bay

58 Club Profile: Rotorua MTB Club 60 Crankworx Rotorua 64 Singlespeed Championships 68 Queenstown Mountain Bike Festival 70 Old Ghost Road

Cyclocross 72 CX Hawkes Bay

Regulars MOUNTAIN BIKING

74 Habit Training 76 Subscribe 78 Calendar of Events

Queenstown MTB Festival