AUTUMN 2016 | year 02 - issue 03
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Find out what our guests have to say about their experiences with Sportsnet Holidays
6 DESTINATION Experience the best of the beautiful citystate of Singapore with our top tips
7 INTERVIEW Red Bull Racing’s, Daniel Ricciardo, on the upcoming F1® season and racing in Singapore
10 STRANGE SPORTS Countdown to Rio 2016 with some of the weirdest Olympic events
13 LOOKING AHEAD There are changes coming to V8 Supercars in 2017
15 CALENDAR Find out what’s coming up in sport over the next 6 months
FORMULA ONE IN 2016 Summer is over and the days are becoming shorter. As the weather gets cooler and wetter, it’s easy to forget about all the great sport that Autumn brings. At the top of our list is the new Formula One season! To help get you up to speed for F1® in 2016, we take a look at some of the team and driver changes for the new season, as well as what to expect from the sport’s powerhouse teams. PAGE 04
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TOUR DE FRANCE
GOODWOOD FOS
ISLE OF MAN
From humble beginnings as a marketing exercise, Le Tour de France has grown to become the biggest cycling event on the planet. We take a look at the evolution of the bicycle since Le Tour’s inception 103 years ago.
The ultimate weekend for anyone with a passion for anything automotive, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is back in June! To mark 23 years of Goodwood, we look at the event’s history as well as what to expect in 2016.
CAMERON DONALD is heading back to the Isle of Man in May, looking for his 3rd TT win. We caught up with the Aussie racer to see how preparations for his 2016 campaign are progressing.
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Rio 2016 PAGE 10
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It is no secret that Australians have a love of sport and an unrelenting desire to travel within Australia and abroad. This sporting culture turned out to be the driving force behind the creation of the Sportsnet Holidays (Sportsnet) brand in August 1998. Right from the start, Sportsnet’s business plan was simple: make it easy for Australians to attend their favourite sporting events (to “see it live!”), no matter where the event or fixture was being staged in the world. By remaining true to its core business strategy of dedication to excellence, Sportsnet has achieved some memorable milestones in its 18 year history. Sportsnet arranges travel for up to 20,000 clients (and growing) to attend sporting events in Australia and around the world each year.
C
an you believe we’re already a quarter of the way through 2016?!?
Time flies when you’re having fun and what a fun start to the year we’ve had here at Sportsnet. We hit the ground running in January, with the Hopman Cup and Brisbane International getting underway just three days into 2016. By the way, how fantastic was it to see Nick Kyrgios and Daria “Dasha” Gavrilova break Australia’s 17-year Hopman Cup drought? It was certainly a tournament highlight for us here at Sportsnet. By the end of the Brisbane International and Hopman Cup, we were warmed up and ready for the big one; Australian Open 2016. Thousands of guests from around the country and the world joined us in Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year and for the first time, we hosted our own guest lounge at Australian Open. It was a great experience and gave us a chance to meet our clients face to face as well as letting them take a quick breather from all of the tennis action. With the dust barely settled from AO2016, we were off across the Tasman (with over a thousand guests in tow) to the land of the long white cloud and the 2016 Downer NRL Auckland Nines tournament. We kicked off the tournament at the Fanzone in Aotea Square on Friday, hosting our own exclusive Sportsnet Member’s Lounge, complete with bean bags, cold beverages and photo opportunities for our guests with the stars of the NRL. The party
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didn’t end there though. That evening, we held the Sportsnet Friday Night Legends Kick-Off at the five-star, Langham Auckland. Over 800 lucky Sportsnet guests spent the evening being regaled with colourful stories from a squad of NRL legends. Flick over to page 14 for photos and the full wrap-up. Looking ahead and we’ve got some great events coming up in the next few months. In this issue you’ll find an interview with Red Bull Racing star, Daniel Ricciardo, as he looks towards the 2016 F1® season. We’ll also take a look at why every F1® fan needs to experience the F1® Singapore Grand Prix at least once. We’ll also take a look at Tour de France, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Rio 2016 and V8 Supercars in 2017. Finally, one of my favourite events, the Isle of Man TT is coming up in a few months. Two-time winner, Cameron Donald, took some time out to chat about preparations for his 2016 TT campaign. 2016 is shaping up to be another huge year at Sportsnet. Thanks for your support and we hope you enjoy the 2016 Autumn issue of our Sports Journal.
GREG HO media producer
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PHOTO: © SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD, RIOTUR AND SPORTSNET HOLIDAYS
DOCUMENTATION
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AUTUMN 2016
Sportsnet’s Official Isle of Man Ambassador
Australian Open 2016 I really liked the middle weekend package. I thought the service from the people I spoke to was excellent everything was very straightforward and efficient. I really liked not having to worry about accommodation and knowing that I had good tickets. Jane - NSW We had a great time in Melbourne. Thanks to Ian for taking the time to tailor a travel package to meet our needs. This was not the first time I have booked my travel trough Sportsnet and it won’t be the last. Ann - NSW The fact that Sportsnet offered a top hotel like the Langham was a big factor in my choosing Sportsnet over other packagers. Now that I’ve experienced the Open, I would say this is even more important to me, in terms of quality, service and location. Elizabeth - USA
NRL Auckland Nines 2016 Sportsnet had EVERYTHING organised for us from the second we landed in Auckland until the moment we took off! Will definitely use the company if we do go again! Lauren - NSW Glynn was excellent, it was never too much trouble for him whenever I called with a question or problem...The rooms were lovely and the location was great… [All the] staff were very friendly and helpful! Jennifer - NSW
Isle of Man TT 2015 Prior to actually leaving for this package, I was unsure how it would go but keeping an open mind on what service and user experience would be delivered for the cost. Whilst I could of perhaps organised quite a bit myself, a couple of aspects I couldn’t such as the riders panel, which was an enriching part of the experience... so as I’ve returned home, this has allowed me to share a diverse and outstanding user experience as I talk to family and friends. The easiest measure for me is two questions, would I do it again and would I use Sportsnet? In approximately a nanosecond, yes to both. I’ll be back with my brother in law… John - VIC I found the overall experience great. It was an experience that we’ll never forget and Sportsnet provided a wonderful experience that allowed us to see the TT from several different angles i.e. the dinner with the riders, different viewpoints each day etc. I have spoken highly of Sportsnet and the service and experience they gave us and have recommended you to many family and friends. Chris - WA
Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 2015 Once again we have received excellent service from Sportsnet and the quality of the whole package was also excellent. Everything was delivered as promised and the Friday night exceeded our expectations. Well done Sportsnet, we will certainly use you again! R Small - New Zealand Thank you for a brilliant experience. Everything was so easy, and so well organised. Will recommend you to everyone, and will definitely book through you for next time. Megan - SA The simplicity of how everything was arranged was amazing, it only took a couple of phone calls to find the right package for us and when we arrived in Bathurst the package was waiting and everything went smoothly with no stress. Stefanie - New Zealand
2015 Singapore Airlines F1® Singapore Grand Prix The pre-race function was a definite highlight of the weekend. The venue, the atmosphere and food were all fantastic. The Q&A with David Coulthard was amazing and getting to meet him and get photos and autographs was a once in a lifetime experience. Awesome! Thanks for an awesome experience that I will never forget! Derek - NSW We thoroughly enjoyed the Singapore Grand Prix and felt it was an amazing experience to actually be there! The Sportsnet package was excellent value for money. Caroline Hall - WA
2015 Shell Advance Malaysian MotoGP The riders, Jack and Cal, were great to listen to as they shared their stories and “banter”. The mechanics stories were also fabulous and made for an exceptional evening. The package far exceeded my expectations and I could not fault the service or the documentation supplied. Every aspect of my journey was smoothly and faultlessly accommodated. OUTSTANDING customer service on all levels. Brenton - SA
2015 Melbourne Cup Carnival Had such a great day that I will most certainly attend next year. Sportsnet Holidays should be congratulated for a great breakfast, entertainment and transport to Flemington. Pat - NSW
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JOIN AUSSIE ROAD RACING LEGEND, CAMERON DONALD AT THE ISLE OF MAN TT WITH SPORTSNET! MORE INFO: w ww.sportsnetholidays.com/events/ motorsport/isle-of-man-tt-2017/ Sportsnet are the Exclusive Official Travel Agent of the Isle of Man TT, Australia
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NEW SENSATION A new season of Formula 1 is underway. Sportsnet Holidays gets you up to speed on 2016 – and why Singapore should be your next destination TEXT: STEWART BELL
SINGAPORE
FORMULA 1® SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 16 - 18 Sept, 2016 Singapore
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P-FRONT, THE STEEL-STRENGTH benchmark remains – the Mercedes team going for its third-straight constructors’ championship, Lewis Hamilton his fourth world title, no doubt fighting all the way with a rejuvenated Nico Rosberg. However, this year the Silver Arrows will have to work harder than ever, with Ferrari’s SF16-H car already proving itself a rocket – and its drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen desperate to break the cycle. The Scuderia dominated headlines from the first preseason test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Vettel set the timesheets alight with the fastest time from the test, his 1.22.810s on Pirelli’s new ultrasoft tyres almost 1.9 seconds faster than Nico Rosberg’s 2015 Spanish Grand Prix pole position time. The dark horse this year though, is a bull. More specifically, Red Bull Racing – which shifted from Renault works partner to customer team, after ending its nine-year long partnership last year. Despite the upheaval, local hero Daniel Ricciardo and teammate Daniil Kvyat are quietly confident – given Red Bull’s ability to build arguably F1’s best chassis. But, as always, F1 is not just about who’s winning, with battles throughout the field, and new names set to upset the applecart. Haas F1 Team joins as the sport’s 11th team, and the first American squad since 1986 – its ambitious driver line-up including Frenchman Romain Grosjean, and former Ferrari test driver, Mexican Esteban Gutiérrez behind the wheel.
Incredibly, Haas could embarrass some of its far more-experienced rivals from the outset – especially given its reliability and pace in the first pre-season test, where Grosjean set the second-fastest time on day three. Renault has returned to the fold as a full-works outfit, re-purchasing Lotus F1 Team, which it owned from 2002-10 – winning the drivers’ and constructors’ titles with Fernando Alonso in 2005-06. In the hot seats, it’s McLaren refugee, Kevin Magnussen, and British rookie, Jolyon Palmer. The sport’s other rookies are at Manor Racing, which is the new name for the Manor-Marussia team. For 2016, the squad has also switched from Ferrari to Mercedes power; and will run GP2 race winner, Indonesia’s Rio Haryanto and reigning DTM champion, Germany’s Pascal Wehrlein.
RENEWED COMMITMENT
For all in F1, the first race is the end of a long, difficult and cold European winter – but for the drivers it’s been especially challenging with four months of physical torture: heavy training, followed by hundreds of laps in pre-season testing. The elite training is especially important, given the intense physical and mental assault of driving an F1 car across 21 events from March to November – in what will be the sport’s longest-ever season. “In a typical week, they’d be doing on some days 4-5 hours, and on others it’d be 2-3 hours, depending on what exercise you’re concentrating on,” says Phil
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AUTUMN 2016
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FUNCTION (Above) Sportsnet’s 2014 F1® Singapore Grand Prix Function at Marina Bay Sands (Right) Sportsnet’s 2015 F1® Singapore Race Preview at Sear Steakhouse (Below) 2014 & 2015 Sportsnet special guests, Bob Constanduros and David Coulthard
PHOTOS: © SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD, SPORTSNET HOLIDAYS AND DIVULGATION
“Singapore has an amazing atmosphere and the whole city comes to life for the race weekend. It’s just unreal, and I would recommend anybody to go, as it’s a fantastic experience.” - Nico Rosberg Young from GP Human Performance, formerly Jenson Button’s physio. “To get them to spend 2-3 hours in the gym alone would be difficult, just in terms of motivation – so we tend to try and do as much as we can outside, in sports like cycling where it’s a little bit easier. “We also like to involve other types of sport like squash. And that’s really about getting their hand-eye co-ordination back into the right mode, and getting their brains quick again for the racing.”
RENEWED EVENTS
All that training pre-season not only gives the drivers a great baseline to work from for the rest of the season, but it also ensures that they’re prepared for the toughest events on the calendar. For the drivers, that’s in September at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix – where it’s around 30 degrees Celsius with 70 percent humidity, pushing the temperature inside the car up to 55 degrees at racing speeds. As a result, the drivers will lose up to 3kg of fluid over a two-hour race. Of course, things aren’t
1966 First Singapore Grand Prix on Thomson Road Grand Prix Circuit
1973 Event discontinued amid concerns of safety and impact on traffic
2008 F1® returns to Singapore and the new Marina Bay Street Circuit. Singapore Grand Prix becomes first night race in F1® History
2009 Minor modifications made to turns 1, 2, 3 & 10
2013 Turn 10 reconfigured into flowing left-hander
made any easier on them with a busy 5-kilometre lap, comprising 23 corners and very few places to catch their breath amongst the concrete barriers. As a fan experience though, Singapore couldn’t be better. Balmy nights spent trackside, cold drink in hand, as the world’s finest drivers thread the barriers under lights – the city’s greatest landmarks making for an epic backdrop. “(It’s) definitely one of my highlights,” says Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. “Singapore has an amazing atmosphere and the whole city comes to life for the race weekend. It’s just unreal, and I would recommend anybody to go, as it’s a fantastic experience. It’s the circuit, the city, the atmosphere... everything!” The party continues long after the chequered flag has fallen with the world’s biggest music stars performing throughout the Circuit Park every night. In fact, since 2008, 17 Grammy-award winning acts have featured (last year was Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5, Spandau Ballet and Bon Jovi). Back in the pit-lane, 2016 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons in years – and if Ferrari can take the fight to Mercedes, by Singapore the gloves will be off as the championship fight intensifies. Don’t miss out! FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT F1® PACKAGES, PLEASE VISIT: sportsnetholidays.com
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destination
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FORMULA ONE
ART In recent years, Singapore has placed much focus on building museums and preserving its heritage. Singapore’s newest art hub is the Gillman Barracks. This ex-deserted colonial military complex turned trendy hotspot houses thirteen galleries. Featuring art from both local and international artists, it is a must visit for any art aficionado.
FOOD It’s no wonder that food is one of the most talked about highlights for travellers returning from Singapore. Not only is the local cuisine and street food fantastic, but Singapore has also become a favourite location for celebrity chefs from France, USA, Japan, Australia and Britain to open restaurants.
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GARDENS Filled with greenery and parks, including UNESCO World Heritage site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens; Singapore’s focus on being ‘a City in a Garden’ is certainly clear. An absolute must see for any visitor to Singapore is ‘Gardens by the Bay’. Spanning 101 hectares and featuring 18 man-made tree-shaped vertical gardens called “Supertrees”, ranging from nine to sixteen storeys in height, Gardens by the Bay offers a truly incredible experience.
10 Singapore TOP
EXPERIENCES
Rich with culture, history, architecture, cuisine, activities and accommodation to suit any budget, Singapore is one destination that we look forward to returning to year upon year. Here are our top ten favourite things about Singapore TEXT: GREG HO
SENTOSA ISLAND
Singapore’s fourth largest island is located just half a kilometer from mainland Singapore and is accessible by bridge. With rainforests, sandy beaches, water parks and the S.E.A Aquarium which features over 100,000 marine animals, there’s plenty to keep the entire family occupied.
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SHOPPING Singapore offers plenty of options for all shopping budgets. From the Orchard Road shopping belt, to the indie stores of Haji Lane, to the luxury boutique stores at Marina Bay Sands, you’re sure to find something to suit your shopping needs.
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THE INFINITY POOL
Possibly the most famous pool in the world, the Marina Bay Sands’ Infinity Pool overlooks Singapore from 57 levels above! The view of the cityscape from this 150-meter-long pool is truly magnificent.
ARCHITECTURE
The architecture in Singapore is truly a case of old meets new. The juxtaposition of the colonial-era structures alongside the modern shopping complexes and hotels is incredible. Change your perspective and spend an evening taking in the spectacular city skyline from one of many city rooftop bars.
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NIGHTLIFE
There are so many afterhours spots to keep a night-owl going in Singapore that you won’t want to go to sleep. From the beach bars and cocktail hotspots serving the iconic Singapore Sling, to nightclubs and even a nocturnal safari park, there’s truly something for everyone.
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AIRPORT A bit of a weird one to include, but Singapore Changi Airport is not your everyday airport. From interactive art and science spaces, to a 4D cinema, to an outdoor nature trail and even a pool, it’s no wonder Changi Airport is consistently voted the world’s best.
PHOTO: © SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD, WIKIMEADIA COMMONS, PIXABAY AND DIVULGATION ILLUSTRATIONS: © ANDREW JONES AND ALEX PODOLSKY/NOUN PROJECT
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The only night race on the Formula One Calendar, the atmosphere at the F1® Singapore Grand Prix is absolutely electric! Almost as exciting as the race itself are the renowned after race concerts which always feature world famous artists.
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AUTUMN 2016
interview The Smiling Assassin Sportsnet Holidays caught up with Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo to chat about the new season – and looking ahead to the challenge of the electrifying Formula 1® Singapore Grand Prix TEXT: STEWART BELL
Q: Last year was tougher, after a breakout season in 2014. What did you take away from it? Daniel Ricciardo (DR): “I definitely think that it was a tough season. We didn’t meet the targets we wanted to – but as a team I think it made us a bit stronger because we found ways throughout the year to improve. I also matured a lot, and take away an understanding of myself better on how to control my emotions.” Q: What are your thoughts on season 2016? DR: “I think that there won’t probably be too many changes. The rules are pretty much staying the same so the field should bunch up a little bit, but I don’t expect anything too drastic. 2017 is going to be the interesting one I think.” Q: You do a lot of training pre-season, but where do you put it to the test? DR: “In my opinion, Singapore is the most physical challenge of the year for an F1 driver. A street circuit already requires a high level of concentration and doing that with the humidity of Singapore is fun but challenging. It’s the one race of the year where you can open your visor to get cool air and it’s actually worse because all the humidity and heat of the car just stays inside the streets, as it doesn’t have anywhere to go. It’s hard work but a great challenge for all of us.”
PHOTO: © HENRY MINEUR / WIKIMEADIA COMMONS
Q: How do you condition and prepare for the heat at Singapore? DR: “Leading up to the race I do quite a lot of heat training. It’s mainly just trying to do some good endurance in the heat, whether that’s in a hot sauna or a hot climate. It helps a lot to prepare.” Q: There is certainly a lot to do in Singapore for any Australians heading there for the event. If you had mates coming over, what would be your first few places to go with them - other than the circuit? DR: “Singapore is great as a city. There is a lot to do with some really cool restaurants. Chilli Crab is quite a local dish there and that’s really cool. When a lot of my friends come to Singapore they have that and wash it down with a few beers.”
“Singapore is the most physical challenge of the year for an F1 driver. A street circuit already requires a high level of concentration and doing that with the humidity of Singapore is fun but challenging”
PROFILE
Date of birth: 01/07/1989 Place of Birth: Perth, Western Australia Nationality: Australian 2016 Team: Red-Bull TAG-Heuer 2016 Car: RB12 Car Number: 3 F1® Debut: 2011 F1® Wins: 3 F1® Podiums: 10 Championship titles: •2 008 Formula Renault 2.0 WEC •2 009 British Formula 3
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driving innovation EVOLUTION OF THE RACE BIKE OVER THE LAST CENTURY This year will see the 103rd running of Le Tour de France - the most prestigious cycling race in the world. Starting from humble beginnings (it was an effort to increase the sales for French magazine L’Auto), Le Tour has grown to now incorporate nearly 200 riders, covering 3,500 kilometres over 21 stages through the picturesque French countryside. It’s amazing that these athletes are able to compete for so long in such a gruelling event, let alone finish stage after stage of the three week course. While much of the credit should duly be awarded to the athletes who keep themselves in peak physical condition all year round, a portion of the credit must be given to the machines they power. Often eclipsed by the heroics of the riders, modern bicycles continue to evolve behind the scenes in order to propel their riders to greater feats of glory.
1936
1940’s saw the first
1981
optional usage of helmets by riders.
1953 The Gran Sport derailleur introduced by Tullio Campagnolo: It would become the dominant gear shift set for twenty years and created the basis for the modern systems.
Late 1800’s
The first racing bicycle frames were made from steel. Indeed, up until the 1980’s, this practice continued as it was the best material available. 1903
During the pre-war era of bicycle racing, wheel rims were consistently made from wood, which was considered to be a durable enough material for the gruelling road races being contested. As new technologies became more prevalent, manufacturers began creating aluminium wheel rims. Until the introduction of the lighter materials into bicycle manufacturing, this was the standard wheel rim for professional riders. When aerospace materials and manufacturing techniques started becoming commonplace, wheel makers changed with the times and began creating sturdy, but light wheel frames from materials such as carbon-fibre.
1914 Frame geometry of bikes began to change - bikes started to have shorter wheel bases and the introduction of the ‘drop handlebars’ became (and continues to be) the norm. 1930 After losing a race because he was unable to change his back wheel’s gear mounting due to the wingnut being frozen stuck in the snowy conditions, Tullio Campagnolo patented the Quick Release Hub - a mechanism for rapidly removing
(and reattaching) the rear wheel. Prior to the acquiescence to allow the use of derailleurs in Le Tour in 1937, riders had to physically get off their bikes and switch the gears around depending on whether they were going up or down hill! Also introduced in 1937 aluminium wheel rims. Under previous regulations, these were considered illegal and so were tested ‘in secret’ by The Monk Antonin Magne - in the 1934 Tour (which he won). To avoid detection, he painted the rims a wood colour!
2003 The lightest ever bike to compete in the race was ridden to victory by Lance Armstrong. 2015
1980’s
“Clincher” tyres developed to prevent riders having to change bikes after melting the glue in their tyres.
1999
First time a carbonfibre bike (ridden by Lance Armstrong) won Le Tour
1962
2003 Helmets made mandatory after death of Andrey Kivilev during the Paris-Nice race in March.
2000 Minimum weight restrictions (6.8kg) put in place after racing frames began to be made from carbon-fibre.
PHOTOS: © FLICKR/ FILIP BOSSUYT, BIBLIOTHÈQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS AND REPRODUCTION
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Timeline
RIMS
In the early days of professional racing, bicycle tyres were extremely prone to puncturing. Tour de France riders were known for often carrying a number of spares on their person during the race. As riders were prohibited from receiving help repairing their mounts, they had to do any repairs themselves. This practice was done away with though, as the Tour became a race ridden by teams, rather than individuals. Many of the innovations regarding tyres have come from the desire to make them go faster and puncture less often. To this effect, manufacturer, Michelin, created a lightweight “clincher” tyre in the early 1980’s which was held onto the rim in the same way as car and motorbike tyres. Tour de France rider tyre selection is split between tubular tyres and clincher tyres depending on rider preference.
1909
TYRES
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EVOLVING RULES
AUTUMN 2016
WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS The turn of the 21st century saw cycling’s governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI), introduce minimum weight restrictions. Due to the fact
that light carbon-fibre was beginning to be used in the creation of the bikes’ chassis - replacing the far heavier steel frames - a minimum weight of 6.8kg was enforced.
SAFETY: While the innovation of the bicycle developed rapidly with universal support, the same could not be said for rider safety! Not until the 1940’s did Le Tour regularly see riders wearing helmets.
Winner of the 1947 edition, Jean Robic, was one of the first riders to adopt the helmet after he fractured his skull years previously. And while the use of helmets was steadily on the rise throughout the 1990’s, they
were not made mandatory until the death of Andrey Kivilev during the 2nd stage of the Paris-Nice race in 2003. Up until then, riders had been encouraged to wear helmets, but it was not an enforced rule.
GEARS
PEDALS
FRAMES
Every aspect of the racing bicycle has experienced over a century of innovation, which has culminated in the high-tech, super-fast apparatus that we see today. Take, for example, the introduction of the Derailleur Gear. Prior to 1937, whenever the gradient of a Tour race changed, cyclists would have to dismount in order to manually change the rear wheel’s twogear setting depending on whether they were going uphill or down!
One of the key components of riding a bike, the pedal has seen significant development over the past 150 years. The earliest pedals were made of brass and involved a counterweight system to keep them upright - a far cry from the modern pedals we see today! Around the turn of the 20th century, pedals began to take the shape used today. Nicknamed ‘rat traps’, they were also the first pedals to feature toe clips - an addition only invented a few years previously. All through the 20th century, variations on the ‘rat trap’ pedals have been used on all bicycles, and until the recent development of stronger and lighter material, they’ve all been made from steel.
In the early days, racing bikes had something of a relaxed ‘frame geometry’. The ‘frame geometry’ of a bicycle dictates the stiffness, steering and level of comfort for the rider. A decade into the riding of Le Tour, the geometry of bicycles started to change, becoming the precursor of what we see in today’s race. The ‘drop’ handlebars, for instance, became the new standard for racing bikes. Throughout the 1990’s, manufacturers began to experiment with materials other than steel. Indeed, 1994 marked the final time a steel-framed bike won Le Tour, with Miguel Indurain winning on an 8.98kg bike. Aluminium was a popular choice through the late 90’s, as was titanium. As carbonfibre began to take hold however, 1998 was to be the last time a race bike that was created from aluminium won Le Tour. Since then, all professional racing bikes have been carbon-fibre and with the advancements in the technology (both in terms of weight and structural integrity), race teams are forced to actually add weights to meet the standards set by the ruling body.
Tullio Campagnolo developed the ‘Gran Sport’ derailleur in 1953. This would revolutionise the whole concept of gear changes, and became the dominant equipment used by cyclists for the next two decades. It has also provided the base for the modern systems, which use newer materials to make them lighter and faster at switching between gears.
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Countdown to the 2016 Olympic Games We look at the strangest sports ever featured at the Olympics OLYMPIC GAMES 05 - 21 Aug 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TEXT: JACK NOTT
PHOTOS: © RIOTUR
Rio 2016
It hardly seems like four years have been and gone, but the Summer Olympics have rolled around again, with Brazil having the honour of hosting the Games in 2016. There’s much to love about the Olympics; the carnival atmosphere, the celebration of the opening and closing ceremonies and let’s not forget the achievements of the athletes!
Although this year’s new additions would be considered quite mainstream, over the years some truly strange sports have been included in the Games. We thought that as we count down to the opening ceremony, we’d explore some of the more bizarre events to ever be included in the Olympic Games.
Those of us that are sport mad really are spoilt for choice during the Olympics. There are so many different sports to choose from that it can sometimes be hard to make a decision. This decision is always made harder with the announcement of two new sports. This time around, the sports gaining inclusion into the Games are rugby sevens and golf - as well as the replacement of windsurfing with kitesurfing.
SIX STRANGE OLYMPIC SPORTS TUG-OF-WAR
SOLO SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING How is this even possible!?! You would think that this was an oxymoron… or a typo. But it isn’t. It was included at Olympic level between 1984 and 1992 - points were awarded for how well the solitary swimmer-come-dancer is in sync with their chosen music.
A childhood favourite, often played on a school oval at lunch-time, always ending the same way. One team (consisting of all the big kids) winning, while the other (made up of everyone else) ended up covered in mud. As it turns out, this sport was included in the Summer Olympics for 20 years! Between 1900 and 1920, the Tug-of-War was a staple of the Olympics, with Great Britain, the United States and Sweden often among the medal winners.
CLUB SWINGING
LA CANNE
Also known as ‘Indian Club Swinging’, the sport is exactly what it sounds like. Interestingly enough, it was also the precursor for the modern rhythmic gymnastics that we see today. What it consists of is one person standing still, swinging large ten pin bowling-like clubs very fast around his head. Points are awarded for style and technique. Presumably, points are deducted if the contestant hits themselves in the head… Included twice in the Olympics, the 1904 St. Louis and the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
This French martial art, also known as ‘Canne de combat’ was an inclusion in the 1924 Olympics, unsurprisingly, in Paris. Think fencing; then replace the sabre with a walking stick. Introduced as a ‘demonstration’ sport - an inclusion by the host nation of a popular sport in their culture - La Canne began as a self-defense discipline in the 19th century. Often learned by upper class “bourgeois” gentlemen living in the big smoke of cities such as Paris.
EQUESTRIAN LONG JUMP Yep, it’s long jump for horses. The sport made its sole olympic appearance at the 1900 Summer Games in Paris, failing to impress spectators. In part, this was due to the damp ground which made it difficult for the horses to jump long distances. The winning jump of the competition was a length of 6.1 meters. It actually sounds like a fairly impressive distance until you realise that the world record jump for a human is 8.95 meters.
KABADDI Just try and wrap your heads around this one! Given international exposure at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kabaddi is a team wrestling sport popular in South Asia. Two teams of seven occupy each half of a field. The aim of the game is for the attacking team to send a “raider” into the opposing half who has to tag as many defenders as possible before returning to his side. Seems reasonable doesn’t it? The kicker is that the “raider” can’t draw breath the entire time they’re in the opposing half!
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Goodwood Festival of Speed The Goodwood Festival of Speed is coming into its 23rd year in 2016, however the event’s history has much deeper roots TEXT: JACK NOTT IN 1948, FREDDIE MARCH -
the 9th Duke of Richmond - turned the recently decommissioned World War II airfield at Westhampnett into a motor racing circuit. This would become the first post-war motor race in Britain. The idea came about 12 years previously, when - while it was still in use - someone suggested that the airfield’s outer track could be used for racing. It would continue as a race circuit until 1966, when it too, was decommissioned. Then, in 1990, the Duke’s grandson, Lord Charles March, took over the running of the Goodwood Estate with
one desire; to return motor racing to the historic circuit. To this end, he staged the first ever press day for the Festival of Speed in 1993. While the turnout for this first one-day event was unspectacular, when it was changed to a two day affair, organisers saw an immediate increase in attendance numbers. The first weekend event saw 30,000 patrons descend on the grounds of the Goodwood Manor. Since then, The Festival has grown exponentially. So much so, that they were forced to cap the number of tickets sold at 150,000 over the four day event.
GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 23 - 26 Jun, 2016 Sussex, UK
PHOTOS: © FLICKR/ NEIL HOOTING, BRUNO POSTLE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS AND DIVULGATION
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR’S EVENT
This year, the Festival takes place over the final weekend in June. From Thursday’s “Moving Motor Show” to Sunday’s “Michelin Supercar Run”, the Festival bills itself as having something for every motoring enthusiast. It allows patrons to walk amongst the cars, see them driven on the challenging hill climb and watch the best drivers in the world - rally drivers, F1 drivers and MotoGP riders - compete against the clock, up the infamous stretch. Not only can guests watch drivers fly around the circuit; they’re also able to rub shoulders with them. It’s the only event where F1®, MotoGP®, Le Mans and rally drivers all congregate in one place! Despite the name, the Festival of Speed is not just about cars blasting around a track as fast as they can. There is also something for the discerning car fan. The event also includes some stunning art exhibitions from Gerry Judah. Each year, in
WHO WIL L BE
accordance with the theme of the Festival, Judah spends between six and eight months creating sculptures that include a selected manufacturers’ crowning glory. The Festival in 2015 included an homage to Mazda’s racing heritage, designed around the theme of “Flat Out and Fearless: Racing On The Edge”. While 2014’s edition featured a rather ambitious sculpture of Mercedes-Benz’ 120 year history of motor racing. In keeping with the 2014 theme of “Addicted to Winning – The Unbeatable Champions of Motorsport” the sculpture stretched over the Goodwood Manor itself!
Above and left: sculpture works by GERRY JUDAH
At 26m high and 90m long, it was the most groundbreaking sculpture created for the Festival! The theme for the 2016 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is “Full Throttle - The Endless Pursuit of Power”. In the last decade, the Festival has become renowned for highlighting the ingenuity of the world’s top car and performance bike manufacturers. In 2014, BMW presented the i8 - their hybrid sports car, designed to be as good, if not better than their more traditional sports cars. The Festival also has an event called the “‘Style Et Luxe’ Concours d’elegance” which is the world’s most prestigious car design competition. Consisting of seven classes, the competition showcases the best, and most bizarre, car designs ever created. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GOODWOOD PACKAGES, PLEASE VISIT: sportsnetholidays.com
‘King of the Mountain’ IN 201 6 ?
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12 AUTUMN 2016
interview PROFILE
Date of birth: 28/09/1977 Lives in: Melbourne, Australia Bike (2015): SG4 Racing Number (2015): 19 TT Debut: 2005 TT Wins: 2 TT Podiums: 10
Q: W ith that one big event and your whole life revolving around it, are there special precautions you need to take? The last thing you need I guess is to take on extra risk and potentially jeopardise your prospects for a win. A: That’s a big thing too, because the team I’m potentially going to race with at the TT are putting huge amounts of pressure on me to race the North West 200. I don’t want to do it because it means I’ll have to ride around the North West trying to keep safe for the TT two weeks later. I want to – that same weekend - go and race round one in Malaysia, smash it over there, and then come to the TT just jumping out of my skin.
2016 ISLE OF MAN TT: CAMERON DONALD
So everything’s planned. And my schedule between now and the TT literally is day after day of bike testing, coaching, preparation time. Even though the coaching and the testing is to pay my wage, pay the rent, support my girls, it’s all part of making me a more complete rider for the TT. Q: So it’s a beautiful sunny day today, nice cool breeze and you’re looking very relaxed. How are you feeling?
“I’m totally off the radar. It’s exactly what I wanted. I just want to turn up from Australia and just do the job” TEXT & PHOTO: PETER LAMONT
Q: Cam, thanks for inviting me up to this magnificent hill top overlooking the Yarra river and the historic end of the Warrandyte village. This seemingly serene environment is really the command centre for CD racing; what are your plans for this year’s TT? A: My plan for this year’s TT has been really methodically structured out. My intention this year is to get back over there. I’m not doing all the other roads like the other guys, the North West races leading up to it. I’m not racing British Championship. I’m totally off the radar. It’s exactly what I wanted. I just want to turn up from Australia and just do the job.
Q: Unlike a motor racing series where you can accumulate points - and if you’ll forgive the pun - the TT is a single event with everything riding on it. What kind of intense preparation goes into a campaign for that one major event? A: Y ep, I know exactly what I need to do for that to happen: I need to be physically as fit as possible, I need to be mentally prepared and I need a lot of bike time. I’ve gone out and bought a track bike at my own expense. I went halves with a mate and we bought a track bike and I’ve got it so I can do training days. I’ve got a huge amount of coaching work lined up for BMW in Asia and I’m also racing in the Malaysian Superbike Championship.
A: Yeah you’re right, I’m usually a bit of a pressure cooker leading up to the TT, but I’ve just had a week off with the girls and it was great to get away from it all. Even so, I was training every day; running in the sand and swimming in the sea and tomorrow I’m back into coaching, bike testing and just getting prepared for the TT. I have just one focus now and every single thing I do now is getting myself prepared for that race. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLE OF MAN PACKAGES, PLEASE VISIT: sportsnetholidays.com
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AUTUMN 2016
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V8’s The 2016 V8 Supercars season is underway and while there is plenty to focus on this year with so many driver and team changes, we’re taking a look towards 2017 and what the Gen2 Supercars landscape might look like. Two years ago we found out that Gen2 technical regulations were coming and it was immediately clear that the sport’s post2016 landscape would be going through its biggest change since 1993, when the competition moved to run V8’s exclusively. Of course, the planned changes essentially came about as a result of the V8 Supercars two biggest manufacturers, Ford and Holden, ceasing production of the Falcon and Commodore respectively. Ford then confirmed that it would cease factory support of the category entirely, which certainly didn’t help matters either. V8 Supercars had to come up with a plan to deal with the changing environment and find a way to get new manufacturers to join the competition and continue to grow their fan base at the same time. With the popularity of big V8 sedans falling amongst consumers and subsequently, with manufacturers, in favour of smaller, more fuel efficient cars, the decision had virtually been made for V8 Supercars; open up the category to allow smaller engined vehicles and make it easier for more manufacturers to enter the field. The engine configurations that are being introduced include turbocharged
A change is coming! TEXT: GREG HO
4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engines. Of course, it’s not as simple as just adding two new engine configurations. Engines will still need to be able to produce similar power outputs regardless of the number of cylinders, and at the moment it looks as though the target will be around 635 BHP. Obviously, with the addition of multiple engine configurations, V8 Supercars will no longer feature V8 engines exclusively, so expect a name change to ‘Supercars’ sometime in the next 12 months. The other big change that has drawn
so much attention is the allowance of different body shapes into the competition. Providing the production version of a car has at least four seats, is commercially available in Australia and a minimum of 5,000 are produced worldwide, it will be eligible. The cars entering the competition also need to be rear-wheel drive, however their production model counterparts do not. These regulation changes open the door to both coupes and hatchbacks. Again, more variety and options means more
manufacturers may have a vehicle that is eligible to compete. Once more, it’s not as simple as that as all competing cars will need to have aerodynamic parity which means matching aerodynamic downforce, balance and drag of all competing body styles. There are other changes too, but these have been the two biggest talking points of the changes which are coming into effect for 2017. A quick look at the comments sections of any of the news articles discussing Gen2 will reveal the divide in fans of the sport. There are many V8 Supercar fans who are dead-set against the change, arguing that it will ruin the purity of the sport. Of course, the flip-side to the argument is that the V8 sedan is a dying breed and in order to stay relevant and attract newer, younger fans, more popular body shapes and engine configurations need to be added. So we now have a pretty good idea about what the championship could look like for 2017 and beyond. However, what V8 Supercars CEO, James Warburton, wants to see and what may actually happen are not necessarily the same thing. It really comes down to whether car manufacturers want to get involved in the competition and of course, which model car they want to use. We’d certainly love to see the Ford Mustang, BMW M3, Nissan GT-R (aka “Godzilla”) or even the Ford Focus RS charging around Mt. Panorama with the big V8 sedans we all know and love.
what’s on now! Masters Golf Tournament
AFL ANZAC DAY CLASH 25 Apr, 2016 Melbourne, AUS
PHOTOS: © WIKIMEDIA COMMONS AND DIVULGATION
AFL ANZAC Day Clash
ANZAC Day, traditionally a day to remember and honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli during World War I; ANZAC Day now encompasses all Australians and New Zealanders who served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The AFL ANZAC Day Clash at the MCG between Collingwood
and Essendon is by far and away the biggest AFL match of the year aside, of course, from the Grand Final. The alwaysstirring rendition of The Last Post should be experienced at least once by every Australian and New Zealander; and the eerie silence - where you can hear a pin drop followed by the 100,000 strong crowd going ballistic the moment the starting siren sounds is something that simply cannot be done justice with words alone.
The first of the four majors to be played each year, the Masters Golf Tournament (also known as the US Masters) is held at the iconic, Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia. Established in 1934, just a year after the golf course was opened, the field of players competing at the Masters is smaller than those of the other major championships, due to the fact that it is strictly an invitational event. In 2015, players competed for their share of $10 million USD with the champion being awarded $1.8 million. The 2015 tournament saw 21-year old, Jordan Spieth lead the tournament from beginning to end, making him the second youngest player to win the tournament after Tiger Woods.
2. INDY 500 29 May, 2016 Indianapolis, US 2. 1.
1. MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT 04 - 10 Apr, 2016 Georgia, US
Indy 500
Run since 1911, the Indianapolis 500 (otherwise known as the Indy 500) is billed as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and is one of the oldest and richest motorsport events on the planet. The Indy 500 is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world. Alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans, it forms part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport; an unofficial motorsport achievement
requiring a driver to win all three races in the course of their career. Graham Hill is the only driver to have completed the Triple Crown. The 500 mile race is contested by a grid of 33 drivers. Each piloting a 2.2 litre, twin-turbo V6 open cockpit, open wheel racecar which produces up to 700hp. The Memorial Day weekend event attracts crowds of up to 300,000. The Indy 500 has one of the largest attendances and media audiences of any single-day sporting event in the world.
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14 AUTUMN 2016
Auckland Nines THE FANZONE Fans had a blast in the Sportsnet Fanzone, meeting stars and getting autographs
All the off-field Nines action! What a HUGE first day in Auckland for Sportsnet’s NRL Auckland Nines clients! TEXT: KELLY STOCK PHOTOS: SPORTSNET HOLIDAYS
Thousands of footy fans took over Aotea Square in Queen Street, Auckland CBD, ready to kick-off a weekend, chock-a-block full of league action! All 288 players from all 16 NRL Auckland Nines teams passed through the square to greet the fans who were ready to grab an autograph or a cheeky selfie with their favourite players. Between team appearances, fans were entertained with activities and giveaways, free kids rides, a rugby league exhibition and live entertainment on stage. Sportsnet Holidays were very excited to host for the first time, the exclusive Sportsnet Members Lounge at the Aotea Square Fanzone site. Our lounge opened early morning to allow for the Captains Press Conference to take place which involved the 16 NRL Auckland Nines Captains being introduced to the waiting media, some tough questions being asked and a photo with the up-forgrabs 2016 Downer NRL Auckland Nines trophy. The Captains then stayed in the space for a good 30mins which gave a few early-bird Sportsnet clients a fantastic opportunity to get up close to the stars! Once Fan Day officially kicked off at 10am, the lounge gave Sportsnet clients the opportunity to get away from the crowds and relax in an enclosed space, filled with furniture and bean bags, complimentary beverages, games, photo and video activities and more! Even better though, throughout the day a selection of players from each NRL team came into our private lounge to meet exclusively with our clients. The highlight of the day was definitely Melbourne Storm star, Billy Slater, pulling
up a stool, pouring a slushy and signing autographs for our guests exclusively! The festivities didn’t end at the conclusion of Fan Day however. Friday evening saw the action continue at the Sportsnet Friday Night Legends Kick-Off! 815 of our clients converged into the five-star, Langham Auckland, to enjoy a night of stunning food, beverages and entertainment. With not a spare seat in the house, the show was opened by a enthralling performance from Pounamu Cultural Group who gave us an insight into traditional Maori culture and concluded with an interactive Haka that had a few guests out of their seats stomping and clapping! Sky Sports commentator Stephen McIvor was host for the evening and did an excellent job in revving up the already lively crowd for a great weekend of Nines action ahead! We were then joined by a whole squad of NRL Legends, there to take part in our on-stage panel, talking all things Nines and rugby league. The line-up included: Billy Slater, Matt Cooper, Nigel Vagana, Michael Crocker, Clint Newton, Joe Vagana, Francis Meli, Roy Asotasi, Steve Turner, David Solomon and Julian O’Neill. The panel handled some tough on-field and off-field questions from the guests and it’s fair to say, a lot of laughs were had with this group! All good things must come to an end, but what a way to warm-up for the epic two day, nine-a-side tournament at Eden Park: the 2016 Downer NRL Auckland Nines!
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FRIDAY NIGHT Sportsnet clients warmed up for the weekend in style at the exclusive Legends Kick-Off function
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS When the dust settled, it was the Parramatta Eels who emerged victorious! A sign of things to come in 2016 perhaps?
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AUTUMN 2016
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3&5 1&2
4
15
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6 &7
26/05 2. FORMULA 1® GRAND PRIX DE MONACO The Monte
1. FRENCH OPEN 2016 The French Open, also referred to as Roland Garros, is the world’s premier clay court tennis championship. It is the second Grand Slam® of the year and the only one played on clay courts. It is notoriously difficult for players who are strong on the faster paced grass and hard-courts to find success at the French Open.
22/05
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Carlo track, home to the Monaco F1® Grand Prix, is situated among city streets surrounded by breathtaking architecture while skirting around a picturesque harbour. Don’t let these beautiful surroundings deceive you though. Monaco is widely considered to be the most challenging circuit in Formula One, thanks largely to its changes in elevation and tight corners without run-off areas.
3. THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON With a history
stretching back almost 150 years, the pinnacle of prestige in world tennis is still without question, Wimbledon, played at the home of tennis, the All England Lawn Tennis Club. A strict dress-code requiring players to wear almost entirely white clothing is a longheld tradition at the Tournament. MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/ events/tennis/wimbledon-championships/
27/06
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4. KL CITY 400 Making its debut as an official V8 Supercars Championship Round in 2016, the Kuala Lumpur International SuperSprint will be the headline race of this exciting new event. Staged in the heart of bustling Kuala Lumpur, the 3.2km street circuit features 17 corners that cut through and past many of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
7. SUPERCHEAP AUTO BATHURST 1000
Without doubt, the Bathurst 1000 is the most iconic and highly respected domestic race in Australia and is certainly considered to be among the best endurance races internationally. Legendary for its unique layout, the Mt. Panorama Circuit is renowned for producing plenty of drama, excitement and some of the most unforgettable moments in Australian motorsport history.
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27/08
02/10
5. ISLE OF MAN CLASSIC TT
The Isle of Man Classic TT is the centrepiece of the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling. Held over 4 fantastic days, the Isle of Man Classic TT celebrates the history and heritage of the TT and motorcycle racing over the famed 60.75km Mountain Course on the Isle of Man. Featuring some of the most exotic and iconic machines on two wheels, the Classic TT is the world’s most prestigious ‘classic’ motorcycle event.
NRL season, the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final brings together the year’s two best teams in a final showdown to decide who will take home the Provan-Summons Trophy. Held at the iconic ANZ Stadium, the NRL Grand Final is one of the highest attended club championship events on the planet.
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6. NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL SYDNEY The climax of the
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06/10
16 SUMMER 2016
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