News Shorts - 29 April

BiciSport TTT training @ Terrey Hills @ 28 April - BiciSport Pilu Racing

BiciSport TTT training @ Terrey Hills @ 28 April - L to R … Graeme Cocks, Raoul Westbrook & Ian Grainger

BiciSport TTT training @ Terrey Hills @ 28 April - L to R … Len Groen, Randolph Baral, Eric Dole, Dom Zumbo & Graham Cockerton

BiciSport TTT training @ Terrey Hills @ 28 April - L to R … John Robb, Mike Lawson, Eric Dole & Peter Verhoeven

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• BicSport TTT training @ 28 Apr - An excellent first up roll up at Terrey Hills with four teams circulating in near perfect weather conditions. Future training sessions are listed in the Special Events section of this website

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

• GRAFTON to INVERELL CLASSIC - 11 May

  • Declan Jones (BiciSport Happy Wheels) lines up for the full G2I Classic over 240k on Saturday 11 May

• WISEMANS FERRY TO THE MOUNTAIN - NOVEMBER 19

  • Originally set down for mid May 19, this promotion has been moved to November 19

• NSW TEAM TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - NEW DATE NEW VENUE SAME GREAT WEEKEND - 3 & 4 AUGUST

  • BiciSport will be again entering several teams into the NSW Teams Championships to be held over the 3-4 August weekend in Singleton.

  • Full BiciSport team details (accommodation, dinner & ride details) are now posted on the Special Events page of this website.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 4-5 May - Cootamundra Weekend (CyclingNSW)

• 5 May - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters), West Head Road Race (Manly CC)

Springbrook climb behind the Gold Coast @ 19 April - Peter Davis (BiciSport Happy Wheels) at the summit

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK - FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are now HEAVIER with the start of the NSW School Term

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Mona Vale Rd (Bahai Temple to Mona Vale) … road widening has commenced.

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 20 Apr, 1 May & 3 May

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 30 Apr & 2 May

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.25am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am then to St Ives for coffee

• 1 May

  • Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 2 May

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Centennial Park Ride @ 10.30am @ Spruce Goose Cafe

• 4 May

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6 x 10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 5 May

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

• BiciSport Team Time Trial Training - see you at ATTA Calga on Sunday 5 May for the first ATTA hit out for BiciSport teams. Team & individual start times to be confirmed. For further information contact Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Vale Patrick Sercu - The Ghent 6 Day in tribute to the memory of Patrick Sercu

News Shorts - 22 April

National Masters Track Championships 2019 - Lise Benjamin (BiciSport W7) was awarded the W7 Champion of Champions Jersey

Cycling Australia Masters Track Championship (BRISBANE)

BICISPORT ReSULTS

Individual Pursuit - M2 … Jeremy Hopson 4th, M5 … Randolph Baral 5th (just one second off a Bronze medal), M7 … Peter Verhoeven 5th

Sprint - W7 … Lise Benjamin Gold

Time Trial - W7 … Lise Benjamin Gold, M2 … Jeremy Hopson Bronze

Points - W7 … Lise Benjamin Gold, M7 … Peter Verhoeven Silver

Scratch - W7 … Lise Benjamin Gold, M7 … Peter Verhoeven Bronze

Team Sprint - W85+ … Lise Benjamin Bronze (with Cath Hooton), M2 … Jeremy Hopson 4th

Champion of Champions - W7 … Lise Benjamin + Broke World Record in flying 200m qualifying

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

• GRAFTON to INVERELL CLASSIC

  • Declan Jones (BiciSport Happy Wheels) lines up for the full G2I Classic over 240k on Saturday 11 May

• WISEMANS FERRY TO THE MOUNTAIN

  • Originally set down for mid May 19, this promotion has been moved to November 19

• NSW TEAM TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - NEW DATE NEW VENUE SAME GREAT WEEKEND

  • BiciSport will be again entering several teams into the NSW Teams Championships to be held over the 3-4 August weekend.

  • BiciSport will provide team training, paid entry fees, comprehensive team assistance, fully paid Saturday night accommodation together with a fully supported Sunday training ride.

  • Nominations are now open and further details are on the Special Events page of this website.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 27 Apr - Otway Classic Cyclosportive (Torquay, Vic)

• 27-28 Apr - NSW Criterium Championships & Snow Wilson Criteriums (Heffron Park)

• 22 & 28 Apr - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters CC)

Eric Mather Cup Eastern Creek @ 22 Apr - Graham Cockerton, Ian Grainger & Dom Zumbo

BiciSport Happy Wheels does Griffith @ 19 Apr - Melissa Budd and Frank Signor at Griffith

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK - For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are LIGHTER with the NSW School Holidays on at present

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Mona Vale Rd (Bahai Temple to Mona Vale) … road widening has commenced.

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 22 Apr, 24 Apr & 26 Apr

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 23 & 25 Apr

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.25am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am then to St Ives for coffee

• 24 Apr

  • Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 25 Apr

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

• 27 Apr

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6 x 10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 28 Apr

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

• BiciSport Team Time Trial Training - see you at the Hills Nursery carpark at Terrey Hills on Sunday 28 April for the first hit out for the BiciSport teams. Arrive Hills Nursery Carpark @ 7.30am and depart 8.00am for Booralie Rd Loops. For further information contact Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

BiciSport Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 20 Apr - L to R. Chris Turner, Eric Dole, Maarten van den Wright (Mapei), Neil Farqy, Raoul Westbrook, Ian Grainger & Kenny Edwards. The “10k to Finish” sign is courtesy of the 2019 Milan San Remo professional race somewhat “procured” after the pro race went through on the day and duly autographed by Alberto Elli.

Paris Roubaix Challenge Cyclosportive @ 13 April

BiciSport in Flanders 2019

Paris Roubaix Report @ 14 April.

Watching PR live was one thing, but working on it took matters to another level. The three Mike’s agreed that MO’R would do the driving and both ML & MO’B would run the wheels and the bidons. The Delko Sports Director had given the BiciSport team something like six meeting points for the race. Technically we were not allowed to drive on the race course inside the race envelope (that was a big no no), so it was … cut across country driving like an idiot and get in front of the race for the next pass point. Shit, how does this work …

The start from Compiegne at 11.00am was simple enough, and up through Cambrai into deep rural France, first stop being the Quivey/Viesly cobbles (Sectors 28/25). The break of the day had already happened, so all good.

Second feeding stop was at the Maing cobbles, and that was where the driving got really interesting with numerous support teams all doing the same thing (driving with purpose and vigor, others may choose to call it speeding). Through the villages of St Python (no Monty there !), we blasted through Haussy in a heartbeat, and straight into Maing nice and early. Geez, that was fun and all a blur. By the time the bike race got to Maing the proverbial had hit the fan … the peloton was now in four groups, the hurt box wide open and doing a good trade. Brenton Jones had a mechanical problem and was in group four. The bike race looked like a grenade had gone off and we were a fair distance still to Wallers Arenberg.

Next stop on the PR magical mystery tour was supposed to be the Wallers Arenberg Forest, but … sorting out Brenton had meant a rethink as we were now way behind schedule. Going to Wallers was dropped and we headed to the Templeuve cobbles (Sector 8). Mike Lawson serviced the leading Delko rider, but then we were in a bind as to what to do now. Trouble was you couldn’t drive within the race envelope. What now ?.

We cut across country & hurtled (with purpose) down the A23 freeway towards Lille then decided to see if we could find the race one last time near Hem. Chances were zero at best.

Mike O’Brien is the Human Google Maps … with a short cut off the A23, through the industrial suburb of Fretlin (who knows where that is !), left, right, dirt road, left again. Somehow we popped out of a tiny rural side street straight into the PR race ! !. Crikey MO’B you’re a xxxxing genius. We’d gone from 10 minutes behind the leaders to 5 minutes in front & no idea how we just did it … nice job Mike O’Brien.

Crowds were huge waiting for the leaders and here we were in a rented VW van (with the all important accreditation sticker on the VW windscreen) and somehow in disbelief we’d landed in front of the Roubaix classic. Still smiling we parked up at the Hem cobbles (10k from the finish) and waited for Phil Gilbert to do the deed.

Thanks to Chris Jones for giving us the opportunity & the Delko Marseille team (and Brenton Jones) for being such inspiring individuals.

This is the last BiciSport in Flanders blog. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

Mike O’R

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - Peter Sagan on the way to the Compiegne start. Photo MOR

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - Quivey Feed Zone (Zone 26) for the breakaway of the day. Photo MOR.

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - Brenton Jones having a mechanical that ruined his day

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - Just after the Maing cobbles with a shredded main peloton. Photo MOR

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - Peter Sagan exits the Templeuve cobbles in the lead group. Photo MOR

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - The Templeuve cobbles. Photo MOR

Paris Roubaix @ 14 April - Phil Gilbert heads for victory just after the Hem cobbles with 10k to the finish in the Roubaix Velodrome.. Photo MOR.

Delko Team @ 13 April - Look team bikes prepared for Sunday. Photo MOR

Delko Team @ 13 April - Inside the Delko mechanic’s cave. Photo MOR.

Delko Team @ 13 April - All aboard the Delko team bus with Brenton Jones, Mike Lawson & Mike O’Brien. Photo MOR.

Paris Roubaix Cyclosportive @ 13 April - Starting outside the Roubaix Velodrome with the temperature sitting on 0 degrees with Mike(s) Lawson, O’Brien & O’Reilly

Paris Roubaix Cyclosportive Ride Report @ 13 April

The weather was delightful with no rain, no wind and starting temperatures of 0 degrees (the day maxed out at 9 degrees). Yes, it was chilly but blue sky promised a great day.

The early kilometers were straightforward enough on flat & good bitumen roads. The first feed zone came after 40k and immediately afterwards it was cobble time. The story goes like this - Templeuve (you’re joking, it wasn’t even a road !), Cysiong (ok, not bad), Bourghelles (maybe not ok, but we got there), Camphin en Pevele (what is the French word for crap ?), Carrefour De L’Arbre (bad as advertised, but not as bad as remembered), Gruson (simple enough) & Hem (that was total shit, awful, you can’t be serious).

The final run into Roubaix from Hem carried more Saturday traffic than expected but the reward was the ceremonial lap around the classic Roubaix Velodrome. Do it all again in 2020 ? … in a heartbeat.

Paris Roubaix Cyclosportive @ 13 April - Just before the start outside the Roubaix Velodrome. Photo MOR.

Paris Roubaix Cyclosportive @ 13 April - After the conclusion of the 70k PR Cyclosportive on the historic Roubaix Velodrome. The race finish line is in the background near the grandstand.

Roubaix Cyclosportive Registration @ Roubaix Velodrome @ 12 April - The Specialized promotional zone at the Roubaix Velodrome had the actual Peter Sagan winning bike (plus frame number) from 2018. Very very tidy. Photo MOR.

Roubaix Cyclosportive Registration @ Roubaix Velodrome @ 12 April - Mike O’Brien at the Roubaix Velodrome

Koppenberg Loop @ 11 April - Koen Verhulst, Mike Lawson, Mike O’Brien & Eddy Verhulst started the ride at the Kokerelle B&B at Oudenaarde.

Koppenberg Loop Ride Report @ 11 April

An easy start to the day from Kokerelle, with a flat tailwind cycle down along the Schelde River cycle path for Koen, Eddy and 3 x Mikes towards Roubaix. Then a simple turn left into the Flemish bergs at Kluisbergen. First challenge was the Old Kwaremont cobbles, then shortly afterwards onto the Patersberg cobbles (where Mike O’R crashed on the steep cobbles - unhurt). Shortly afterwards it was the turn of the Koppenberg cobbles (where Eddy V crashed on the steep cobbles - unhurt). MO’R bailed out early going back into Oudenaarde (to get his damaged prescription glasses repaired). The others finished the cobbled merry go round via the Taainenberg, Berg Ten Houte, Eikenberg & Biogneberg climbs.

Koppenberg Loop @ 11 April - The Schelde River cycle path riding towards Roubaix with Kluisbergen on the left of picture. Photo Mike O’Brien

Koers Cycling Museum @ Roeselare @ 9 April - The Team Quick Step photo exhibition was on the ground floor. The Quick Step presentation highlighted all of the QS Team members together with all notable victories from 2018 into early 2019. Photo MOR.

The Koers Cycling Museum (www.koersmuseum.be) is the latest cycling museum to open in Flanders situated in the city of Roeselare in East Flanders. There are 3 levels of exhibitions, jersey & bike displays, video presentations, a John Pierre Monsere Memorial wall plus a well appointed cafe.

Koers Cycling Museum @ Roeselare @ 9 April - Team Quick Step photo exhibition on the ground floor featured a 2019 QS team member involved in a major off. Photo MOR

Koers Cycling Museum @ Roeselare @ 9 April - Jersey display room on Level 1 of the museum. Photo MOR.

Koers Cycling Museum @ Roeselare @ 9 April - Jersey display room on Level 1 of the museum. Photo MOR

Koers Cycling Museum @ Roeselare @ 9 April - Jersey display room on Level 1 of the museum. Photo MOR

Koers Cycling Museum @ Roeselare @ 9 April - The bike display was on Level 2 of the museum. The immediate level was for current public display whilst the bikes on the higher level are rotated down for display purposes at other times. Photo MOR.

Triosvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Mike O’Brien & Mike Lawson before the start in sleepy rural Troisvilles

Troisvilles Wallers Ride Report @ 8 April

The BiciSport group had previously ridden the cobbles from Wallers Arenberg towards the finish at the Roubaix Velodrome. Today it was agreed that we’d ride the earlier sections of cobbles from the sleepy village of Troisvilles and finish the ride at Wallers Arenberg. The Paris Roubaix route signs were now up, so it greatly reduced any chance of getting lost.

Troisvilles is deep in rural France & sleepy doesn’t do it justice. The Troisvilles cobbles (Sector 29) were simple enough, but things began to get increasingly difficult through Briastre/Viesly/Quively/Fontaine (Sectors 28, 27, 26, 25). The Michael Goolaerts Memorial in Sector 27 was very moving (Michael sadly died of a heart attack at the Paris Roubaix Classic in 2018).

The cobbled sections just kept on coming, and you began to loose sense of it all, they were all long and difficult … Escallion (Sector 24), Queranang (Sector 23), Maing cobbles (Sectors 22, 21) all a bit of a cobbled misery. Things turned a bit complicated at the Maing cobbles when MO’R got lost due to the roadworks blockage (see picture below) … the group lost each other and a few frantic mobile phone calls later led to a regrouping near the Wallers Arenberg cobbles (that was exciting !!). Getting lost in deepest, darkest northern France isn’t worth contemplating.

The day concluded with an inspection of the Wallers Arenberg cobbles. As Mike O’Brien nicely put it “ … they can’t be serious … “. Next Sunday they most definitely will be.

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Paris Roubaix route signage was up, so you can’t get lost, until Sector 21 …

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Troisvilles cobbles (Sector 29) were both short & relatively straightforward

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Michael Goolaerts Memorial at the Briastre Cobbles (Sector 28/27)

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Viesly cobbles (Sector 26) includes a World War 1 German concrete bunker

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Mike O’Brien made the comment after Sector 25 (“ … that was bullshit … “)

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Mike Lawson

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Mike O’Brien

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Maing Cobbles (Sector 22/21) … the “road” (yeah right) was blocked and things went very pear shaped soon afterwards …

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Wallers Arenberg cobbles with Mike O’Brien & Mike O’Reilly

Troisvilles Wallers @ 8 April - Wallers Arenberg and the Cofidis Team Car turned up for a pre recce inspection

RVV (Tour of Flanders) @ 7 April - Mike Lawson as the Womens RVV peloton starts from central Oudenaarde

RVV Report @ 7 April

The Ronde defines Belgium is many ways and what a joy to be in this country on this classic day.

The BiciSport group (joined by Peter Tomlinson & Ted Anderson from the NSW Southern Highlands Club) headed off the see the Womens Ronde start in Oudenaarde at 11.00am. From there it was a short pedal to the Koppenberg Cafe at Melden, the Kortekeer climb with the pro peloton somewhat asleep, watched the Womens RVV scream off the Patersberg climb, a final peak of Peter Sagan at the base of the Old Kwaremont, then finally a Belgian beer at the Lentrecote Restaurant (thank you to Lucrese Willeart for letting the BiciSport peloton invade your restaurant and watch the live tv finish). The Italians won the day in both races which meant it was a very subdued flemish crowd at the end of a classic day.

RVV @ 7 April - Peter Tomlinson (UCI & CycNSW Commissaire) at the Koppenberg cobbles

RVV @ 7 April - Alej Valverde passes the Koppenberg Cafe. Photo MO’R

RVV @ 7 April - The Koppenberg Cafe at Melden is a Flemish institution on the Ronde day (all the inhabitants may end up in an institution at some point). Its brash, its rustic, its old, its crowded, its smelly, beer is the universal currency of choice, and its all things Flemish cycling. The BiciSport group arrived just before 12noon, and the local lads were already gassed up on the local brew and the day had just begun. The BiciSport group escaped to the Kortekeer climb shortly afterwards..

RVV @ 7 April - Eddy Merckx hasn’t retired and lives on at the Koppenberg Cafe. Flanders flags are everywhere.

RVV @ 7 April - Alex Kristoff (UAE, red helmet) climbs the Kortekeer climb. Photo MO’R

RVV @ 7 April - The Womens RVV speed off the Patersburg climb towards the Oudenaarde finish. Photo MO’R

RVV @ 7 April - Alej Valverde on the approach to the Koppenberg cobbles. Photo MO’R

RVV @ 7 April - Michael Matthews (Sunweb) leads Peter Sagan (Bora) on the approach to the Koppenberg cobbles. Photo MO’R

RVV @ 7 April - Peter Sagan (right) approaches the Old Kwaremont cobbles with 25k to the finish. Photo MO’R

Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders Cyclosportive) @ 6 April - At the start with Mike van der O’Reilly, Mike van der O’Brien & Mike van der Lawson.

Coincidentally, just after the above picture was taken the national Sporza tv crew (left in the picture) realized we were a group of Aussies and interviewed MO’R and the interview was aired that night on the national Sporza tv program.

Ride Report @ 6 April

Maarten van der Wright had returned to the Muur van Dee Why, and the BiciSport team was bolstered by the arrival of Mike van der O’Brien from the UK.

Another nice weather day greeted the 17,000 RVV cyclosportive riders - it was raining lycra in Oudenaarde on the Saturday morning for the 9.00am start. Mike O’R did the 75k option which for MO’R was a long walk up the Koppenberg (oh the shame) but a better effort on the Kruisberg (near Ronse) and the Old Kwaremont. Mike O’Brien & Lawson did the 135k RVV option which included nearly every cobbled berg of note - Kerkgate cobbles, Molenberg, Paddestraat cobbles, Haaghoek cobbles, Valkenberg, Eikenberg (near Kokerelle B&B), Koppenberg, Taainberg, Old Kwaremont & Patersberg. There was over 1,700m of climbing in the 135k cyclosportive.

Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders Cyclosportive) @ 6 April - at the post cyclosportive function in Oudenaarde with Johan Museeuw. Johan won the UCI World Cup (1995, 96), World Champion (1996), triple Ronde winner (1993, 95 & 98), four times Paris Roubaix winner (1993, 96, 2000 & 2002) and Belgian National Champion (1992 & 96).

Sven Nys Cycling Centre @ Hageland @ 4 April - Mike Lawson

Ride Report @ 4 April

What Sven Nys is for cyclo cross is equally Eddy Merckx for road cycling - both are Belgian and both are the greatest of all time in their respective disciplines.

Sven recently retired and has established a specialist cyclo cross centre at Balenberg in the Hageland region (on the Belgian-Dutch border) . There is an expansive cyclo cross museum, bike rental facilities, a challenging circuit coupled with a very respectable restaurant/cafe. Mike Lawson rode the cyclo cross circuit and his smile said it all. Fun was had.

After Balenberg it was a 45 minute drive towards the Dutch border direction Lommel & Mol (home of Tom Boonen) for an inspection of the World Masters Championship Cyclo Cross circuit in December 2019 at the Zilvermeer Water Park (sort of a Belgian version of Sydney’s Wet & Wild).

Sven Nys Cycling Centre @ Hageland @ 4 April - Mike Lawson

Sven Nys Cycling Centre @ Hageland @ 4 April - Mike O’Reilly with the race winning bike from the 2009 World Cyclo Cross Championships ridden by Niels Albert

Sven Nys Cycling Centre @ Hageland @ 4 April - Mike Lawson walking the Sven Nys cyclo cross circuit at Balenberg

Zilvermeer Water Park @ 4 April - Mike Lawson inspects the World Masters Championships Cyclo Cross 2019 course which includes large sections of running in the sand beside the Zilvermeer Lake.

Dwars door Vlaanderen (Straight across Flanders) @ 3 April - The peloton approaches Oudenaarde. Photo MOR

Dwars Ride Report @ 3 April

The Ronde is only 4 days away and the buzz is everywhere. This is the last chance to see the professionals and the Dwars goes over several of the climbs used in the Ronde on Sunday. Having said that the Dwars is not an easy race to follow with all the action coming in the last 60k and little opportunity to leapfrog ahead of the race. So we decided to do what we could by bike and see the Dwars twice then back to our Kokerelle B&B for the live tv feed.

First pass was just outside Oudenaarde (picture above) then a 15 minute pedal to the Berg Ten Houte cobbled climb. The Berg Ten Houte was an insignificant & poorly surfaced bitumen road that hadn’t been used for cycle racing in years. Similiarly to what happened at the Patersberg …. the road was recently fully rebuilt with brand new cobbles !!. Heck, why not cobbles as it is Flanders after all. The Berg Ten Houte climb is a cobbled delight - short, sharp and an instant Flandrien success story.

Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 3 April - the ‘new’ Berg Ten Houte cobbled climb with Valverde. Photo MOR

Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 3 April - Berg Ten Houte cobbled climb. Photo MOR

Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 3 April - up close and personal on the Berg Ten Houte cobbled climb. Photo MOR

Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 3 April - the steep corner at Berg Ten Houte cobbled climb. Photo MOR

Muur (Wall) of Geraadsbergen @ 1 April - Marty Wright climbs the Kapel Muur (Chapel Wall) cobbles

Muur Ride Report @ 1 April

A 70k ride was on the menu with small Flemish back lanes towards Brakel, where we joined the official Tour of Flanders race route and simply followed the race route signs already posted for next weekends Flanders Classic. Then it was through Brakel and on towards the cobbled Muur of Geraadsbergen. As cobbled climbs go the Muur maybe is the most famous but is neither the steepest nor the most difficult (Patersberg is much more uncomfortable) and everybody got to the Muur summit comfortably.

Muur (Wall) of Geraadsbergen @ 1 April - outside the Geraadsbergen Church at the cobbled summit of the Muur

Velle WAOD Masters Race @ 31 March - Mike Lawson had local media obligations before the start

Velle WAOD Masters Race Report @ 31 March

Velle is a small village 20k outside Antwerp and plays host to numerous cycle races during the year. The Tour of Flanders pro classic passes down the main street next Sunday. WAOD is one of several ‘racing leagues’ in Belgium and is somewhere between NSW Open racing & club level standards. There is usually 6 or 7 races on offer for all age groups and in high summer it’s possible to race up to 4 or 5 times per week.

Mike Lawson’s race had some 20 starters and the winning break formed at the end of lap 2 (of 8 laps in total), never to be seen again. Mike rode well in the chasing peloton.

It was great to catch up with the Ver Hulst family who organised the Velle WAOD event. The Ver Hulst’s have kindly hosted several BiciSport riders at local Flanders races over the years.

Velle WAOD Masters Race @ 31 March - Mike Lawson enters the finishing straight on lap 2 (of 8 laps). Conditions were fresh with a sharp Flanders breeze on the nose. Each lap had numerous corners along narrow Flemish laneways with two climbs (being man made Antwerp-Paris freeway overpasses).

Velle WAOD Masters Race @ 31 March - Mike Lawson at the head of the chasing peloton in the Velle Masters

Velle WAOD Masters Race @ 31 March - after the finish of the Velle Masters with Maarten & Koen Ver Hulst

Velle WAOD Masters Race @ 31 March - after the conclusion of the Velle Masters it was a retreat into a 1970’s time warp at the ‘The Falcon’ Pub (a well known local den of ill repute with a somewhat circumspect history) for some local Belgian beer (just 1,475 beers to go) with the Gent Wevelgem professional Classic live on Belgian tv.

Reprise @ E3 Grand Prix @ 29 March - The E3 GP circuit passes the Kokerelle B&B and the owner (Kathy Sante) snapped the one & only Peter Sagan on the way through

Gent Wevelgem Cyclosportive Ride Report @ 30 March

The professional Classic is held on the Sunday with the Cyclosportive conducted the day before. The cyclo starts and finishes in Wevelgem (where the professional race finishes). Weather conditions on the Saturday were balmy @ 20 degrees.

Leaving Wevelgem in a good sized peloton and within 5 minutes we were on tiny Flemish laneways darting around the rural countryside. The cycling was simply stunning with numerous left-right turns through the rural Flanders Fields. Enjoyable doesn’t begin to describe how much fun these rural Flemish laneways can be on the bike.

On towards Ieper and the Ieper Salient (of World War 1 fame) and under the Menin Gate on the outskirts of Ieper. From Ieper after just 40k it was off towards the cobbled Kemmelberg. One minute Mike & Marty were in a nice sized peloton but the Aussies missed a turn and were soon very solo and very much lost (oops !). We could see the Kemmelberg in the distance so we cut through the village of Dikkebus to see if we could find the cyclosportive peloton again.

The village of Kemmel (and the Casino Cafe) offered a great coffee and we rejoined our cyclosportive brothers on the other side of the Kemmelberg. The next challenge was the gravel roads at Ploegsteert (full of WW 1 history & dotted with respectful Commonwealth War Graves). The gravel was more like concrete and no issues were encountered.

The final run into Wevelgem from Ploegsteert was aided by a strong tailwind along the Leie River Bike Path towards the Wevelgem finish. Mike & Marty completed the 90k at an average speed of 28kph & Mike Lawson completed the 140k easily.

Gent Wevelgem Cyclosportive @ 30 Mar - Mike O’Reilly & Marty Wright before the Wevelgem start

Gent Wevelgem Cyclosportive @ 30 Mar - Marty & Mike at the Menin Gate in Ieper. At the Menin Gate each night the Ieper Fire Bridge conduct the Last Post Ceremony in respect of the fallen soldiers from WW1.

Gent Wevelgem Cyclosportive @ 30 Mar @ Ieper Feed Zone outside the Ieper Cloth Hall

Gent Wevelgem Cyclosportive @ 30 Mar @ Kemmelberg Cafe - Mike & Marty at the Casino Cafe in Kemmel

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar - The main E3 peloton passes intact over the Holleweg Cobbles. Photo MOR

E3 Grand Prix Report @ 29 Mar

One cannot doubt that Global Warming is alive & well when Belgium in March is blue sky, no wind, no fog and no rain. Refunds are due as it was more like Bellingen in NSW than Brakel in Flanders. Mike Lawson, Marty Wright & Mike O’Reilly started the E3 day at the Holleweg cobbles just 2k from the Kokerelle B&B. From there an easy 15 minute drive to the top of the Kortekeer climb (no cobbles) near Ronse. The peloton was still comfortably intact at this point. Only 45 minutes later and the E3 peloton returned to the same intersection from the opposite direction, but this time the E3 peloton was now very very ragged with the majority living in the Flanders hurt box (clearly a cobbled grenade had gone off in the intervening 45 minutes).

The fourth viewing of the E3 Grand Prix was at the Avelgem cobbles near Kluisbergen. Rob Jungels & Quick Step were in complete control & Peter Sagan was in the third group and deep in the hurt box (good money is still on Sagan for another Roubaix victory in two weeks time). Just around the corner from the Avelgem cobbles was the Kerkhove Pub with the mandatory Flemish tv pumping out the E3 finish, and only 1,492 Belgian beers to go …

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Kortekeer Climb Feed Zone - Marty Wright and the QS team car with the accompanying Specialised Venge swarm. Photo MOR

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Kortekeer Climb Feed Zone - only one thing better than a single Specialised Venge with Rovals … is a ‘Specialised Venge swarm’ atop the QS team car. Photo MOR.

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Kortekeer Climb Feed Zone - Peter Sagan (white jersey, far left). Photo MOR.

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Kortekeer Climb Feed Zone - Greg Van Avermatt 2016 Olympic Road Race Champion (Team CCC). Photo MOR.

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Kortekeer Climb (second pass) - Peter Sagan (Bora) in the thick of the E3 Grand Prix peloton. Photo MOR.

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Avelgem Cobbles - Bob Jungels and Quick Step were simply outstanding. Photo MOR.

E3 Grand Prix @ 29 Mar @ Avelgem Cobbles - Peter Sagan was not on a great day but remains a hot favourite for Paris Roubaix in two weeks time. Photo MOR

Roubaix Recon Ride @ 28 Mar - Mike Lawson & Marty Wright at the Arenberg Forest cobbles

Roubaix Recon Ride Report @ 28 Mar

Barely an hour’s drive from the Kokerelle B&B in Oudenaarde, down through Tournai and across the Belgian-French border at Saint-Amand les-Eaux to the Arenberg Forest cobbles. Marty Wright neatly summed it up … ”Well, the Arenberg Forest cobbles, that was total bullshit ! !” …

The next cobbled sector came almost immediately at Wallers for the Gibus Pont (Sector 18). Somehow the lads completely missed Sector 17 (not sure how that happened), but cobbled hostilities were quickly resumed at both Warlaing & Brillon (Sectors 16 & 15). Both were hard & uncomfortable. Again we somehow inadvertently missed Sector 14 (what happened there ?) and leapfrogged straight onto Orchies at Sector 13. After Orchies the bikes were packed into the truck & we headed straight for the Roubaix Velodrome and a chance for Marty to do a few free laps around an iconic velodrome.

Roubaix Recon Ride @ 28 Mar - Arenberg Forest cobbles (Sector 19) with Martin Wright & Mike Lawson

Roubaix Recon Ride @ 28 Mar - at the Gibus Pont (Gibus Bridge) cobbles (Sector 18 of the Paris Roubaix Classic)

Roubaix Recon Ride @ 28 Mar - at the Warlaing cobbles (Sector 16)

Roubaix Recon Ride @ 28 Mar - Mike Lawson at the Orchies cobbles (Sector 13)

Roubaix Recon Ride @ 28 Mar - Marty Wright outside the team rooms of Velo Club Roubaix at the Roubaix Velodrome with his own piece of Paris Roubaix history

Bruges - De Panne Classic @ 27 Mar - Martin Wright (second from left) at the top of the Kemmelberg climb as the breakaway passes with a 4 minute lead over the main peloton

Haaghoek & Molenberg Ride Report @ 27 Mar

An earlier start to the day at 8.00am as we needed to be at the Kemmelberg by 1.30pm for the De Panne pro race. The first cobbles of the day was at the Haaghoek, followed by the short Leberg climb (both used in Tour of Flanders pro race on 7 April). A simple wrong turn off the top of the Leberg climb resulted in maybe 1 kilometre of dirt riding which somehow looped us back onto the Haaghoek cobbles again (oops, sorry lads). From there a short run on to the Molenberg cobbled climb towards the Schelde River, then along the Schelde River bike path back into Oudenaarde. Mike Lawson & Marty finished the day with the climb of the Eikenberg cobbles near the Kokerelle B&B.

A short drive from Kokerelle B&B to the Kemmelberg climb in West Flanders was rewarded with a beer at the Kemmelberg Hotel (only 1,497 beers to go).

Bruges - De Panne Classic @ 27 Mar - Martin Wright (left) as the main peloton passes the top of the Kemmelberg climb

Bruges - De Panne Classic @ 27 Mar - the live tv coverage from the top of the Kemmelberg climb

De Carillion Bar @ Oudenaarde @ 26 Mar - somewhat typical Belgian bar to be found anywhere in Flanders. The only thing missing is the cigar smoke, but it has the usual dose of retro wooden furniture, everything is a shade of brown (maybe its the nicotene ?), decor from WW2 (or earlier) and a supply of local bar flys dotted along each wall. Naturally Martin van der Wright was spotted at the De Carillon giving it the Patrick Swayze look of complete approval. Belgium has 1,500 beers … just 1,498 to go …

Tour of Flanders Museum Oudenaarde @ 26 Mar - Teisj Benoit (Lotto Soudal) won the Eroica Pro Race in 2017, and his mud covered Ridley (plus frame race number) is currently on show at the Flanders Museum. The bike itself has been permanently air brushed with varnish to preserve all of the grime & dirt, so it cannot be removed.

Karel van Wijnedaele Monument @ 26 Mar - Marty Wright & Mike Lawson

Koppenberg Loop Ride Report @ 26 Mar

The day dawned sunny & crisp (maximum 10 degrees) with very little wind for a 45k loop through Oudenaarde, then onto the Schelde River bike path towards the Roubaix Velodrome (only 35k away). After 15k at Kluisbergen it was Marty Wright’s first taste of Belgian cobbles at the Old Kwaremont. The end result being BiciSport 3 Old Kwaremont 0. The stones were dry & benign and it was off to the Wijnedaele Monument (Karel was the founder of the Tour of Flanders Pro Race).

Next stop was the much steeper Patersberg where Mike Lawson took the solo honours at the top. BiciSport 1 Patersberg 2. From the Patersberg it was a brief effort direction Koppenberg, where again the cobbles looked almost inviting (being dry). If golf is “a good walk ruined” then the Koppenberg is potentially in a similar category. Mike Lawson again took the solo honours … BiciSport 1 Koppenberg 2. The overall Berg Pointscore went something like BiciSport 5 Belgian Killer Bergs 4. A win is a win ! !

The ride finished with a coffee & cake at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen Cafe at the RVV Museum in central Oudenaarde.

Koppenberg @ 26 Mar - Marty Wright, Mike Lawson & Mike O’Reilly

Koppenberg @ 26 Mar - on the lower slopes of the Koppenberg Climb (aka the Black Beast), Mike Lawson, Mike O’Reilly & Marty Wright

Koppenberg @ 26 Mar - Mike Lawson approaches the Black Beast

Koppenberg @ 26 Mar - Marty Wright approaches the Black Beast

The BiciSport team of Marty Wright plus the three Mikes (O’Brien, Lawson & O’Reilly) assume the cobbled position at the Kokerelle B&B (www.kokerelle.be) just outside Oudenaarde in central Flanders from 25 March.

The BiciSport in Flanders program being -

27 Mar - Bruges De Panne Pro Race 29 Mar - E3 Harelbeke Grand Prix Pro Race 30 Mar - Gent Wevelgem Cyclosportive, Mar 31 - Johan Museeuw Cyclosportive, Gent-Wevelgem Classic Pro Race, Velle Antwerp Retro Race

3 Apr - Dwars Vlaanderen Pro Race, 6 Apr - Tour of Flanders Cyclosportive, 7 Apr - Tour of Flanders Pro Classic

10 Apr - Schelde Prijs Antwerp Pro Race, 11 Apr - Roubaix Recce Ride from Wallers Arenberg to Roubaix Velodrome 13 Apr - Paris Roubaix Cyclosportive, 14 Apr - Paris Roubaix Pro Classic

News Shorts - 25 March

ROLLY DELAYTZ (BICISPORT HAPPY WHEELS) TAKES A HEFFRON TUESDAY

Heffron Park @ 19 Mar - Declan Jones (BiciSport Happy Wheels)

Heffron Park @ 19 Mar - Declan Jones (left) & Rolly Delaytz (right)

Heffron Park @ 19 Mar - Rolly takes the victory

Heffron Park @ 19 Mar - Podium time for Rolly

BiciSport in Italy 2019 at Strade Bianche, Lake Como & Milan San Remo

Muro Di Sormano @ 24 March - Mike Lawson at the top of the Muro di Sormano (Wall of Sormano). This one lane cycle path (no cars permitted) is used in the Tour of Lombardy one day pro Classic in October each year. The average gradient is 17%, with the maximum topping out at a leg snapping 25%.

Muro De Sormano @ 24 March - every 10 metres of this gruesome Muro journey is kindly labelled with the distance travelled from the bottom, and if you think that picture looks steep then that would be right !. The building at the top of the picture is a local cafe doing a brisk Sunday trade.

Milan San Remo Ride @ 23 March - 6.00am start from IL Perlo (L to R) - Mike Lawson, Mike O’Reilly, Marty Wright

MSR Ride Report @ 23 March

An early 6.00am departure out of Bellagio and a 3 hour drive towards Genoa and the Ligurian Coast. Conditions were perfect with 24 degrees forecast and a storming tailwind towards San Remo.

The ride started just outside Genoa at the small village of Voltri. The early part of the ride is easy undulating to pan flat on very good roads, with the last 50k (of the 145k total) being the hilly, difficult section. A succession of headlands puts up a few easy climbs to be greeted by stunning views around the next corner. It was of no consequence for Mike O’R who didn’t get past the 30k mark and pulled the pin courtesy of asthma/sinus (2020 it will need to be). Abject disappointment doesn’t quite describe that DNF.

Alberto Elli led Mike Lawson & Marty Wright through endless seaside villages towards Savona (more a seaport city than a coastal village), then onto the major climbs (called capo) of the day - Capo Berta, Capo Cervo, Capo Mele and the Cipressa climb. The Cipressa itself had pinches of 8% so it is a bona fide effort to the summit. A sharp drop off the Cipressa back down to the coastline and all roads lead towards the Poggio.

Maurizio (our IL Perlo mechanic/driver) was not allowed to park the Perlo team car on the Poggio climb itself, so we parked up at the bottom of the Poggio (a cafe nearby provided food & coffee AND the priceless television pumping out the race live). The BiciSport group simply pedalled up the Poggio to watch the Classic pass by being the last challenge of MSR 19.

Many thanks to IL Perlo at Bellagio for providing a majestic backdrop to all things MSR19. Thank you to Carlo at IL Perlo, Alberto Elli (what a legend & total gentlemen), Como Bikes for providing the two wheel logistics. Can’t wait to do this all again in 2020.

Milan San Remo Ride @ 23 March - Mike Lawson & Marty Wright approaching the Poggio Climb near San Remo

Milan San Remo Ride @ 23 March - Marty Wright approaching the Poggio climb

Milan San Remo 2019 @ 23 March - the professional Classic storms towards the Poggio with just 10k to the finish in San Remo (picture MOR)

Mlan San Remo Ride @ 23 March - time to depart San Remo after a most memorable day

Ferrari @ Maranello @ 22 March - A big boys day trip to the Ducati factory in Bologna followed by the Ferrari Museum at Maranello. Happy to report that both Marty & Mike Lawson drove in the Ferrari race car simulator going around the Monza race circuit … Mike crashed leaving the Monza pits (oops) and Marty crashed twice (oops again). Marty’s right elbow (see above picture) was bloodied by the two crashes such was the realistic movement in the Ferrari race car simulator

Lake Como Ride Report @ 21 March

This day was another 70k around Lake Como with two ferry crossings, but this time it was a northern loop, towards St Moritz and Sondrio and then returning on the Varenna side of Lake Como towards Lecco.

The day started with a ferry ride from Bellagio to Cernabbio (picture above with Mike O’Reilly, Mike Lawson, Alberto Elli & Marty Wright), then the northern loop on generally flat roads with moderate levels of traffic (nothing confronting). Several times we diverted to the ‘old old lakeside road’ which had been converted to a dedicated bike path. Delightful would be an understatement with panoramic views directly to the Alps.

Alberto Elli led the group in single file at a steady rate of 28k average as we headed for Sondrio and coffee after some 35k. Just after coffee we saw a sign that stated ‘St Moritz 70k’ (… not going there today … ). The run back to Varenna was on the ‘old lakeside’ road but the real blessing was the motorway further up the lakeside mountain - our ‘old lakeside’ road was virtually deserted and a cycling delight. A stop at Varenna and a brief ferry ride back to Bellagio nearly finished the day. The final effort was the Ghisallo climb back up to IL Perlo which everybody did much better than yesterday.

IL Perlo Hotel @ Bellagio just after sunrise @ 21 Mar.

Madonna de Ghisallo Church @ 20 Mar - situated at the top of the Ghisallo climb above Lake Como at the Fausto Coppi monument (L to R) - Mike Lawson, Mike O’Reilly & Marty Wright

Italian Cycling Museum @ Ghisallo @ 20 Mar - a short drive from the IL Perlo Hotel is the Italian Cycling Museum with Marty Wright in front of a Giro jersey history wall

IL Perlo Hotel @ 20 Mar - Alberto Elli before the start of the first BiciSport team ride around Lake Como

IL Perlo Hotel @ 20 Mar - before the BiciSport ride start (L to R) - Alberto Elli, Mike Lawson, Mike O’Reilly & Marty Wright

IL Perlo Hotel @ 20 Mar - Mike Lawson heads off up the Ghisallo climb with the IL Perlo Hotel soaked in the afternoon sunshine

IL Perlo Bellagio Ride Report @ 20 March

Day one at IL Perlo on Lake Como dawned fresh but ideal with very little wind. Alberto Elli took the BiciSport group down to Bellagio and we jumped the ferry to the other side of Lake Como (at Argegno). From there Alberto led the group along the lakeside road towards Como - all pretty much flat & fast. After passing the George Clooney mansion (as you do) it was coffee in central Como.

Getting home was tougher as we traced the other side of Lake Como, being somewhat hillier and a few tunnels (all safe). The scenery was nothing short of spectacular with very little traffic. Back past the village of Nesso and it was straight into Bellagio (one very nice little lakeside village). The climb out of Bellagio up the famous Madonna de Ghisallo mountain was nothing short of a real grind with pinches of 14% just to get back to the IL Perlo Hotel above the Lake. Marty Wright (pictured) climbed the Ghisallo and noted “ … its maybe not a good idea to have a 14% climb at your front door !! … “

Ghisallino Restaurant @ Madonna de Ghisallo @ 19 Mar - As usual (for Italy) any good ride report starts with a food report. Having survived the trip to get here, one had to celebrate in style at a delightful Italian restaurant just opposite the Madonna de Ghisallo Church & Cycling Museum.

Eroica Challenge Ride Report @ 10 March

Mike Lawson (BiciSport Master) started the 85k cyclosportive with 5,000 starters.

The course was tough & testing with 21k of white gravel, not dissimilar to a testing West Head Road but the hills were longer and harder than those on West Head. Some of the descents were wild, both road and gravel … try 60kph on gravel with a 90 degree turn at the bottom !. Felt pretty strong all day, with the only incident being a small crash at the first feed zone. Mike finished 5th in his age category. The picture above is the last 16% climb into Siena

Siena Ride Report @ 11 March

Mike Lawson reports … just back from a 3 hour 40 min ride on either side of Siena.

Headed off to ride the Colle Pinzuto & Le Toife white road climbs and by far the steepest and most difficult of all the six sectors in the 86k cyclosportive version of the Eroica. Then did the first part of the course again including the first two gravel sectors, the second being the Grotti (the climb where I watched the pro race). Some good riding around here, but its real hard to find anything flat if you want an easy day. Driving up to Camaiore tomorrow to watch the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico pro stage race (the team time trial stage).

Alberto Elli is the IL Perlo Hotel cycling guide for the BiciSport team to see the Milan San Remo pro classic & Bellagio-Lake Como rides. Alberto was the Yellow Jersey holder for four days at the 2000 Tour de France.

News Shorts - 11 March

Mike Lawson (BiciSport Master) rode the Eroica Challenge Cyclosportive in Siena Italy on 10 March with 5,000 starters & Mike finished 5th in his age category. A full Eroica & Milan San Remo ride report will appear in BiciSport News on 18 March

After the Eroica Challenge on 10 March Mike Lawson & the BiciSport Team head to Bellagio on Lake Como with Milan San Remo on the agenda for 23 March. Alberto Elli (2000 Tour de France Yellow Jersey) is the BiciSport ride guide at Bellagio & the Milan San Remo

Waratah Masters @ Eastern Creek @ 10 Mar - Ian Grainger, Raoul Westbrook & Peter Verhoeven

3 Peaks Challenge @ Falls Creek @ 10 Mar - Michael Taylor passing through WTF Corner outside Omeo

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Eroica Challenge Cyclosportive @ Siena Italy @ 10 Mar - Mike Lawson finished 5th in his age category. Full report on 18 March in BiciSport News

• 3 Peaks Challenge @ Falls Creek @ 10 Mar - Michael Taylor competed in 3 Peaks - Michael Taylor competed 3 Peaks in 12 hours.

• Tour de Plonk @ Shoalhaven Heads @ 10 Mar - BiciSport had 2 starters (Joc Young & Peter Davis) in the annual Tour de Plonk organised by Waratah Masters. The first 5 days are based out of Shoalhaven Heads, then The Plonk moves to Berrima in the Southern Highlands.

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

BATHURST WEEKEND - SATURDAY SUNDAY 16-17 MARCH

• A great weekend of racing in Bathurst on the Saturday with Blayney to Bathurst cyclosportive on the Sunday. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

NOWRA TEAM TIME TRIALS - 19 TO 21 JULY

• BiciSport will be again entering several teams into the NSW Teams Champuonships to be held in Nowra over the 19-21 July weekend.

• BiciSport will provide team training, paid entry fees, full team assistance, paid Saturday night accommodation (at Greenwell Point) together with a fully supported Sunday training ride.

• Nominations are now open and further details are on the Special Events page of this website.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 12 Mar - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 15-17 Mar - Oceania Road Championships (Tasmania)

• 16-17 Mar - Bathurst Weekend - BiciSport starters listed in Special Events section of this website. Bathurst Criteriums - Rhett Hall & Declan Jones

• 17 Mar - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters CC), Ourimbah University Crirerium (Central Coast CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School Term back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, well sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction nearly done

  • Mona Vale Rd (Bahai Temple to Mona Vale) … road widening has commenced.

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 11 Mar, 13 Mar & 15 Mar

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 12 Mar & 14 Mar

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return

• 13 Mar

  • Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 14 Mar

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 16 Mar

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 17 Mar

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

A special BiciSport in Italy update will feature from Monday 18 March on this BiciSport website in the News section. The update will feature Mike Lawson at the Eroica Challenge on 10 March, then the Milan San Remo experience on 23 March for Mike Lawson, Marty Wright & Mike O’Reilly

Miramare Sandstone Cafe Terrey Hills @ 9 Mar - A rather suspect peloton if you ever saw one … (L to R) … Eric Dole, Martini Luigi Wright, Paulo Warby, Ken Edwards & Ian Granger

Kuurne Brussels Kuurne Pro Classic (Belgium) last week …. ok ok, its not Retro Led Zeppelin but the lads gave it a real crack

News Shorts - 4 March

Kooragang Island Newcastle @ 2 Mar - Ruth Strapp (BiciSport) took the win in the Womens Road Race organised by Newcastle Cycling Club with 14 starters. Ruth broke away with 3.5k to the finish with Olivia Gollan, and Ruth took the victory.

NSW Schools Triathlon Championships @ 28 Feb - Cathie La Rose performed well in amongst some 700 competitors. Congratulations on a fine ride.

The Eroica Challenge is held on the traditional white roads (strade bianche) in and around Siena in Tuscany where toe clips, cloth caps, woolen jerseys, exposed brake cables & steel bikes are the order of the day … you know where you are with chrome …

Racing on Tuscan gravel roads around Siena can come with some challenges

Mike Lawson (BiciSport) pictured above swaps the roads of Paris Roubaix 2018 for Tuscany gravel at the Eroica Challenge near Siena on 9 March

EROICA CHALLENGE 2019 - 9 MARCH

• Eroica Challenge (Italy) on 9 March - Mike Lawson takes on the Eroica Challenge around Siena on 9 March. A chance meeting with Italians at the Tour of Flanders in Belgium last year opened up the opportunity for the Eroica participation. The 90k cyclosportive has just over 20k of white gravel.

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Speedy Recovery

  • John Elderfield has returned home to Perth after his serious motor cycle crash & now on the long road to recovery. Get well soon John.

  • BiciSport President Ian Grainger had a rubber side up on his MTB and suffered a broken nose. Get well soon IL Presidente

• BiciSport Committee @ 4 Mar - Peter Budd is a new addition to the BiciSport organising committee

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

SHOALHAVEN RONDE - SUNDAY 10 MARCH

• Based out of Shoalhaven Heads (just south of Berry) on Sunday 10 March over 100k on roads used by BiciSport over the Nowra TTT weekend via Nowra, Pyree, Greenwell Point & Currarong Beach. Ride starts & finishes from the TableTalk Cafe in Shoalhaven Heads starting at 8.30am. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

BATHURST WEEKEND - SATURDAY SUNDAY 16-17 MARCH

• A great weekend of racing in Bathurst on the Saturday with Blayney to Bathurst cyclosportive on the Sunday. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

NOWRA TEAM TIME TRIALs - 19 to 21 JULY

• BiciSport will be again entering several teams into the NSW Teams Champuonships to be held in Nowra over the 19-21 July weekend.

• BiciSport will provide team training, paid entry fees, full team assistance, paid Saturday night accommodation (at Greenwell Point) together with a fully supported Sunday training ride. The teams selection panel now includes Ian Grainger, Peter Budd & Mike O’Reilly

• Nominations are now open and further details are on the Special Events page of this website.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 5 Mar - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 7 Mar - Sutherland Criteriums (Waratah Park)

• 9 Mar - Strade Bianche (Siena Italy) - BiciSport starter Mike Lawson

• 8-10 Mar - NSW Elite Track Championships (DGV), Bendigo Madison (Vic)

• 10 Mar - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters CC), 3 Peaks Challenge (Falls Creek, Vic) - BiciSport starter Michael Taylor

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School Term back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, well sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction nearly done

  • Mona Vale Rd (Bahai Temple to Mona Vale) … road widening has commenced.

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 6 Mar

  • Hills Nursery Car Park Terrey Hills @ 8.00am to Akuna Bay & West Head

• 4 Mar, 6 Mar & 8 Mar

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 5 Mar & 7 Mar

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return

• 6 Mar

  • Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 7 Mar

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 9 Mar

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 10 Mar

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

  • Shoalhaven Ronde @ Shoalhaven Heads @ 8.30am

Orange NSW @ 1 Mar - David Cooper and Sonny Boy spotted in Orange before a local training ride last Friday. David was one of the original BiciSport founding fathers from 1995 and now resides in Orange and a Level 1 CyclingNSW Commissaire.

3 Peaks Challenge is on 10 March starting from Falls Creek - the BiciSport starter is Michael Taylor

…. no more fluff & pointless training races in isolated parts of the cycling realm be it in Ballarat, Adelaide or some other obscure Middle Eastern enclave. Welcome to the real deal in Belgium with cobbles, leg warmers, true grit, frites & mayo, and 1,000 varieties of local beer and Het Nieuwsblad & Kuurne Brussels Kuurne …

News Shorts - 25 February

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - before the start outside the Retreat at Wisemans Ferry

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - after some 30k into the Loop past St Albans it was the start of the 9k of firmly packed gravel. Ian Grainger leads Marty Wright and Raoul Westbrook

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - halfway through the gravel section on the first climb

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - Eric Dole leads the charge up the Alpe del la Mangrove Mountain climb

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - Randolph Baral (BiciSport Happy Wheels) on the steep 10% section of the Alpe del la Mangrove Mountain climb

Lake Hume Cyclosportive @ Albury @ 23 Feb - BiciSport Griffith cut a fine looking peloton in Albury.

Spotted at Akuna Bay @ 23 Feb - (L to R) … Neil, Andrew ‘Macca’ McLean, Davide Browne, Mike O’Brien & Neil Farquahson. Mike O’Brien being on a brief Aussie sojourn from the UK getting in some secret base training for the upcoming BiciSport Belgian Spring Classics trip with both Mike Lawson & Marty Wright.

Husky Tri @ 24 Feb - Stew Campbell (BiciSport Happy Wheels) took the (team) win

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Speedy Recovery - John Elderfield had one almighty rubber side up whilst riding a motorbike in Bangkok and thankfully survived to tell the tale. Get well soon John.

• Husky Triathlon @ 24 Feb - Stewart Campbell took another team win at the Husky Tri

• Wisemans Loop Ride Report @ 24 Feb - rain & heavy winds during the previous week saw a greatly reduced BiciSport peloton complete the full 115k into Calga. Conditions were surprisingly agreeable on the day, with the 9k of St Albans gravel more like concrete (thanks to all the rain). All agreed that the seemingly “flat” section of road from Wisemans Ferry to Spencer was much more taxing than first thought, and the final push from Peats Ridge into Calga hurt as required. Thanks to Paul Craft (RAW Track) for making it all happen.

Shoalhaven Ronde happens on 10 March. Details on the BiciSport Special Events of this website.

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

SHOALHAVEN RONDE - SUNDAY 10 MARCH

• Based out of Shoalhaven Heads (just south of Berry) on Sunday 10 March over 100k on roads used by BiciSport over the Nowra TTT weekend via Nowra, Pyree, Greenwell Point & Currarong Beach. Ride starts & finishes from the TableTalk Cafe in Shoalhaven Heads starting at 8.30am. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

BATHURST WEEKEND - SATURDAY SUNDAY 16-17 MARCH

• A great weekend of racing in Bathurst on the Saturday with Blayney to Bathurst cyclosportive on the Sunday. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

• The BiciSport Saturday night dinner will be at the Rydges Hotel (Mountain Straight) at 6.30pm. To confirm a dinner spot please call 0417 403 244

ROULEUR CLASSIC MELBOURNE - 28 to 30 NOVEMBER

• BiciSport is proud to announce it will be a contributor to the first Rouleur Classic in Melbourne from 28-30 November. The show will be held at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art situated at 111 Sturt Street on Southbank. Details on the Special Events page of this website.

• The Rouleur Classic is billed as the world’s finest road cycling exhibition. The show provides an opportunity to enjoy the very pinnacle of cycling in a relaxed but prestigious environment. There will be a stellar line up of guests & pro riders, together with cycling marques, cycling apparel, components, technology & much much more.

• BiciSport will be providing a restored Peugeot 504 Tour de France team car to the Classic together with a recently restored Sydney Olympic derny

RACING THIS WEEK

• 26 Feb - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 1 Mar - Sutherland Criteriums (Waratah Park)

• 1-2 Mar - Wagga Weekend (Tolland CC)

• 3 Mar - Western Sydney Dragway (Waratah Masters CC), Calga ITT (ATTA), Fred Icke Road Race (VRS - Creswick Vic)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School Term back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, well sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction nearly done

  • Mona Vale Rd (Bahai Temple to Mona Vale) … road widening has commenced.

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 25 Feb, 27 Feb

  • Hills Nursery CarPark Terrey Hills @ 7.30am to Akuna Bay & West Head

• 25 Feb, 27 Feb & 1 Mar

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 26 Feb & 28 Feb

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return

• 27 Feb

  • Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 28 Feb

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 2 Mar

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 3 Mar

  • Piemonte Cafe Car Park Terrey Hills @ 7.30am for Akuna Bay-West Head

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - Marty Wright leads Raoul Westbrook past the Muskoka Farm willows outside Spencer towards the Central Mangrove climb

BiciSport Wisemans Loop @ 24 Feb - after the Alpe del la Mangrove Mountain climb and just 25k to the Calga finish

News Shorts - 18 February

Sprint Grand Prix #3 @ DGV @ 16 Feb - Damien Bottero (BiciSport) departs the start line

Sprint Grand Prix #3 @ DGV @ 16 Feb - Damien Bottero takes a win

Waratah Masters @ ECR @ 17 Feb - Ian Grainger (BiciSport Master) picks up yet another 5th place in C grade.

Italy-Belgium 2019 - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Master) pictured on the Carrefour De L’Arbre cobbles outside Roubaix in April 2018.

Mike returns to the Holy Land of cycling for the Strade Bianche Cyclosportive in Seina (Italy) on 10 March, followed by three weeks in Belgium with cyclosportives in Wevelgem, Flanders & Roubaix and a raft of Belgian Spring Classics.

Il Perlo Hotel @ Bellagio on Lake Como plays host to BiciSport in Italy in March 2019. The picture above features the Tour of Lombardy pro race passing by in clear & sunny conditions.

Lets hope Mike Lawson & Marty Wright pack their winter team kit … this picture was taken only last week from the same IL Perlo Hotel, this time facing up the steep Madonna de Ghissalo climb used in the same Tour of Lombardy pro race

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Recovery Ward - Conor Tarlington resumes training on the home trainer this week after his hernia operation.

• Sprint Grand Prix @ DGV @ 16 Feb - Damien Bottero continues to see building form towards the coming Masters Championships at the Sprint Grand Prix Round 3 at the DGV.

VALE FRANS VAN EYCK

• Sad to report the recent passing of Frans Van Eyck in Temse, Belgium. Frans was a great supporter of numerous BiciSport cyclists who have made the trip to Flanders over the years. Frans was 92 years young.

BELGIUM JUNE JULY 2019 - CONOR TARLINGTON RACE DATES CONFIRMED

• Conor Tarlington heads of to Belgium in mid June with a racing program packed solid with 80k ‘kermesse’ style races all over Flanders. The team stays at the Kokerelle B&B (www.kokerelle.be) just outside Oudenaarde. The Flanders stay includes 3 stages of the 2019 Tour de France (Stages 1-3) which pass through Belgium. There are two spots still available at Kokerelle and if you’re interested please email bicisport1@gmail.com

• June - 15 - Retro Tour of Flanders, 21 - Zomergem, 22 - Aardenberg, Retro Dwars Door Hageland, 23 - Eindhout, 25 - Wachtebeke, 28 - Lommel, 29 - St Amandsberg, 30 - Dikkelvenne

• July - 3 - Ursel, 7 - Sinaai, 7 - Zottegem, Tour de France Stage 1 (Geraadsbergen) 8 - Adegem, Tour de France Stage 2 (Brussels Team Time Trial) 9 Tour de France Stage 3 (Binche start) 10 - Ursel, 13 - Vogelnaarde (NL), 14 - Merelbeke, 16 - Clinge (NL), 17 - Ursel, 20 - Laarne, 21 - Herne, 24 - Ursel, 26 - Beveren Waas, 28 - Duffel

The BiciSport Wisemans Ferry Loop on Sunday 24 February offers 4 ride options (41k, 92k, 115k & 115k). Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

WISEMANS FERRY LOOP - SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

• BiciSport is hosting a training ride from Wisemans Ferry on Sunday 24 February with full car support. Ride starts from the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club @ 8.00am (meet at 7.30am). Details are on the Special Events page of this website

• A volunteer is needed to drive the Happy Wheels Subaru to follow the ride. Please email bicisport1@gmail.com if you can assist

Wisemans Ferry Loop just out of St Albans offers some great cycling country

SHOALHAVEN RONDE - SUNDAY 10 MARCH

• Based out of Shoalhaven Heads (just south of Berry) on Sunday 10 March over 100k on roads used by BiciSport over the Nowra TTT weekend via Nowra, Pyree, Greenwell Point & Currarong Beach. Ride starts & finishes from the TableTalk Cafe in Shoalhaven Heads starting at 8.30am. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

BATHURST WEEKEND - SATURDAY SUNDAY 16-17 MARCH

• A great weekend of racing in Bathurst on the Saturday with Blayney to Bathurst cyclosportive on the Sunday. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

• The B2B Weekend clashes with a major basketball competition in Bathurst, and accommodation bookings over that weekend will be tight

RACING THIS WEEK

• 19 Feb - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 22 Feb - Sutherland Criteriums (Waratah Park)

• 23 Feb - Lake Hume Cyclosportive (Albury/Wodonga) - BiciSport starters Team Griffith

• 24 Feb - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School Term back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, well sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction nearly done

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 19 Feb, 22 Feb

  • Hills Nursery CarPark Terrey Hills @ 7.30am to Akuna Bay & West Head

• 18 Feb, 20 Feb, 22 Feb

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 19 Feb & 21 Feb

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return

• 20 Feb

  • Wise Monkey Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 21 Feb

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 23 Feb

  • Hills Nursery Car Park Terrey Hills @ 7.00am for Akuna Bay & West Head

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 24 Feb

  • Wisemans Ferry Ride @ 8.00am (meet up at 7.30am) - See Special Events page

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

Sandstone Cafe @ Miramare Terrey Hills @ 16 Feb - Miramare staff led by Vinney (The 11 Cog) Panetta make for a great Saturday morning coffee @ 9.30am. All welcome.

Sandstone Cafe @ Miramare Terrey Hills @ 16 Feb - Eric Dole & Marty Wright

Mirror Sprint magazine from July 1967 features the Paris Roubaix Classic.

Jan Janssen (Pelforth Sauvage) and Raymond Poulidor (Mercier) were the leading riders of the day. The bikes of the era all featured MAFAC centre pull brakes, high flange hubs and pedal toe clips.

News Shorts - 11 February

Dubbo Track Open @ 9 Feb - Damien Bottero (BiciSport Master) rode well on the somewhat flat Dubbo Velodrome

Dubbo Track Open @ 9 Feb - Damien Bottero (BiciSport Master)

Conor Tarlington (BiciSport Elite) is set for a return to Flanders and the Koppenberg in June & July 2019. His Belgian race calendar is listed below.

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Waratah Masters @ 10 Feb - Both Peter Verhoeven & Ian Grainger rode well

• Dubbo Track Open @ 9 Feb - Damien Bottero rode competitively at the Dubbo Track Open having to come to grips with the special features of a flattish country velodrome. Damien continues this coming week at the Sprint GP Round 3 at the DGV at Bass Hill.

BELGIUM JUNE JULY 2019 - CONOR TARLINGTON RACE DATES CONFIRMED

• Conor Tarlington heads of to Belgium in mid June with a racing program packed solid with 80k ‘kermesse’ style races all over Flanders. The team stays at the Kokerelle B&B (www.kokerelle.be) just outside Oudenaarde. The Flanders stay includes 3 stages of the 2019 Tour de France (Stages 1-3) which pass through Belgium. There are two spots still available at Kokerelle and if you’re interested please email bicisport1@gmail.com

• June - 15 - Retro Tour of Flanders, 21 - Zomergem, 22 - Aardenberg, Retro Dwars Door Hageland, 23 - Eindhout, 25 - Wachtebeke, 28 - Lommel, 29 - St Amandsberg, 30 - Dikkelvenne

• July - 3 - Ursel, 7 - Sinaai, 7 - Zottegem, Tour de France Stage 1 (Geraadsbergen) 8 - Adegem, Tour de France Stage 2 (Brussels Team Time Trial) 9 Tour de France Stage 3 (Binche start) 10 - Ursel, 13 - Vogelnaarde (NL), 14 - Merelbeke, 16 - Clinge (NL), 17 - Ursel, 20 - Laarne, 21 - Herne, 24 - Ursel, 26 - Beveren Waas, 28 - Duffel

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

WISEMANS FERRY LOOP - SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

• BiciSport is hosting a training ride from Wisemans Ferry on Sunday 24 February with full car support. Ride starts from the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club @ 8.00am (meet at 7.30am). Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

PLONK RONDE - SUNDAY 10 MARCH

• Based out of Shoalhaven Heads (just south of Berry) on Sunday 10 March over 100k on roads used by BiciSport over the Nowra TTT weekend via Nowra, Pyree, Greenwell Point & Currarong Beach. Ride starts & finishes from the TableTalk Cafe in Shoalhaven Heads starting at 8.30am. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

BATHURST WEEKEND - SATURDAY SUNDAY 16&17 MARCH

• A great weekend of racing in Bathurst on the Saturday with Blayney to Bathurst cyclosportive on the Sunday. Details are on the Special Events page of this website.

• The B2B Weekend clashes with a major basketball competition in Bathurst, and accommodation bookings over that weekend will be tight

• A volunteer is needed to drive the Happy Wheels Subaru from Bathurst to the Blayney start on the day. If you can assist then emails to bicisport1@gmail.com

RACING THIS WEEK

• 12 Feb - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 15 Feb - Sutherland Criteriums (Waratah Park)

• 16 Feb - Sprint GP # 3 (DGV-CyclingNSW) - BiciSport starter Damien Bottero, Melbourne to Warnambool Classic (NRS)

• 17 Feb - Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters CC), Mt Ku Ring Gai Criterium (Northern Sydney CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School Term back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to resolve than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, well sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction nearly done

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 12 Feb, 13 Feb, 15 Feb

  • Hills Nursery CarPark Terrey Hills @ 7.30am to Akuna Bay & West Head

• 11 Feb, 13 Feb, 15 Feb

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 12 Feb & 14 Feb

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return

• 13 Feb

  • Berowra Railway Station Gruppetto @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 14 Feb

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 16 Feb

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 17 Feb

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

Steve Stannard was an outstanding Elite cyclist who shot to fame in 1993 at the Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic from Coffs Harbour to Canberra. Steve finished top 10 on General Classification and took on the might of the AIS National Team (and several European pro teams) which included the likes of Matt White (now a Mitchelton Scott DS) and Henk Vogels.

The Northern Sydney CC club team was sponsored by Australian Bananas and you couldn’t miss them in their flamboyant orange & yellow knicks (something of a radical fashion statement at the time). Team members - Ian Brindley, Mike O’Reilly (DS), Steve Stannard, Ben Litchfield, Bart Hickson, Mark Rowling (mechanic) & Phil Chapman

In 1994 and the White Pages Tour @ Bundanoon to Canberra Stage Race - Northern Sydney CC team was sponsored by Clancys Foodstores & Abrokiss (hence the red lips) with both a womens & mens team that included Rachel Appleton, Steve Stannard (front), Phil Chapman, Laurie Vignes, Ben Litchfield, Rhonda Craigie, Nadia Frischkneckt, Lucy Lykke, Bruce Boulton (masseuse), Catherine Dawson (front) & Mike O’Reilly (DS)

Herald Sun Tour 2019 - it was like old times meeting a youthful Steve Stannard (right) at the last stage of the HST19 in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens. Robert Stannard (son) rode an outstanding HST 19.

News Shorts - February 4

Herald Sun Tour 2019 - the early stages and Team Sky were riding very well, but seemed locked out by the duo of Michael Woods & Ritchie Porte. Dylan Van Baarle (pictured left after the earlier Churchill stage finish) rode a brilliant race into Arthurs Seat and took the HST overall win in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens

Herald Sun Tour 2019 - the SRAM team offered full professional support to the HST led by Rob Eva (far left)

BiciSport to Flanders 2019 - the above picture was taken at the Kokerelle B&B near Oudenaarde only last week with temperatures of minus 3 and heavy snow. BiciSport has a small group going over in late March for the Milan San Remo & Belgian Spring Classics, and again for a 5 week racing stint with Conor Tarlington (BiciSport Elite) from 19 June until 28 July.

There are a couple of vacant spots still going for the June July Belgian trip and if you’d like a few weeks cycling around Flanders then please email bicisport1@gmail.com. Conor’s Belgian racing program has been confirmed and will be detailed next week.

B2B oVER 16-17 MARCH

• A reminder that the B2B Weekend clashes with a major basketball competition in Bathurst, and accommodation bookings over that weekend will be tight

• A volunteer is needed to drive the Happy Wheels Subaru from Bathurst to the Blayney start on the day. Emails please to bicisport1@gmail.com

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Recovery Ward - Conor Tarlington is recovering after a hernia which has him off the bike for a few weeks. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

• Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne @ 3 Feb - Ian Grainger was a C grade peloton finish

2019 RACING & BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDERS NOW UPDATED

• The draft CyclingNSW 2019 Racing Calender was recently published and this has been uploaded onto this website, as has the BiciSport Special Events calendar dates

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

WISEMANS FERRY TO WISEMANS FERRY LOOP - SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

• A new CyclingNSW open road race in 2019 is the Ferry to the Mountain 110k road race in May 2019. BiciSport has got behind this exciting new road event and supporting Paul Craft (of RAW Track fame).

• BiciSport will be hosting a training ride over the circuit on Sunday 24 February with full car support. Ride starts from the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club @ 8.00am (meet at 7.30am). Details of the Wisemans Ferry-Wisemans Ferry Loop training ride are on the Special Events page of this website.

• A volunteer is needed to drive the Happy Wheels Subaru on 24 February. Emails please to bicisport1@gmail.com

RACING THIS WEEK

• 5 Feb - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 8 Feb - Sutherland Criteriums (Waratah Park)

• 7-9 Feb - Pro 3 Day Track Race (DISC Velodrome, Melbourne)

• 9 Feb - Dubbo Track Open - BiciSport starter Damien Bottero

• 10 Feb - Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters CC), West Head Road Race (Manly CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to fix than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 4 Feb, 6 Feb, 8 Feb

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 5 Feb & 7 Feb

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return leg

• 6 Feb

  • M7 Cyclepath @ 75k @ Bella Vista end @ 7.30am

  • Berowra Railway Station Gruppetto @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 7 Feb

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 8 Feb

  • Hills Nursery Terrey Hills carpark @ 6.30am for West Head

• 9 Feb

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 7.00am (6x10k loops around SOPA).

  • Hills Nursery Terrey Hills @ 7.45am for Akuna Bay, Church Point & return  

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 10 Feb

  • M7 Cyclepath @ BP Service Centre @ Wallgrove Rd @ 6.30am

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

BiciSport 130k ride around Griffith @ 27 Jan - Melissa Budd, Peter Budd, Frank Signor & Michael Taylor

Stuart O’Grady & Wallers Arenberg Forest @ Paris Roubaix

Herald Sun Tour Diary - 30 January to 3 February

Herald Sun Tour 2019 - Michael Woods (left) & Ritchie Porte (centre) animated the HST 19 but it was all blue Sky after the Arthurs Seat ambush.

Welcome to the Herald Sun Tour daily diary for 2019 and a pictorial snapshot from each day. Tuesday was “bump in” day at San Remo near Phillip Island, Wednesday the Phillip Island Circuit Race, Thursday Wonthaggi to Churchill, Friday Sale to Warragul, Saturday Arthurs Seat Circuit Race & Sunday the Melbourne City Circuit Race. Alex Simmons (BiciSport) was driving the Chief Commissaire & Mike O’Reilly (BiciSport) was driving Commissaire 4.

HST 19 @ Sunday @ Melbourne Botanical Gardens - Team Sky were simply outstanding … they won everything but the chook raffle

HST 19 @ Sunday @ Melbourne Botanical Gardens - Dylan Van Baarle (Team Sky) after the finish

HST 19 @ Sunday @ Melbourne Botanical Gardens - the HST driving team in front of the Lead Car

HST 19 @ Saturday @ Arthurs Seat finish - Damien Howson (Mitchelton Scott) after a dramatic days racing in sweltering conditions. Team Sky turned the race on its head and went yellow

HST 19 @ Saturday @ Port Melbourne Service Corse after the Arthurs Seat finish - Michele Primaro has done 22 editions of the Herald Sun Tour and this year is the Education First Team mechanic.

It was great chatting to Michele as the auto electrician kindly fitted a new key to the Happy Wheels Subaru ( … having got to the Service Corse after the auto electrician had arrived early to fix the Subaru, only to discover he’d broken into the wrong car … Oops !! … thanks mate, but its the car next door …)

HST 19 @ Saturday @ Cape Schank Lighthouse start - Mike O’Reilly & Alex Simmons (BiciSport)

HST 19 @ Friday @ Warragul finish - Owain Doull (Team Sky) took the stage win over a tough 160k in Warragul

HST 19 @ Friday @ Sale start - the Team Sky Dogma F10 is a very very pretty looking rig

HST 19 @ Friday @ Warragul finish - a seemingly pensive Michael Woods had a lot to smile about after an outstanding 160k stage into Warragul.

HST 19 @ Friday @ Sale start - a flock of idle Drapac team Cannondales before the stage start

HST 19 @ Friday @ Warragul - Alex Simmons (BiciSport) on his 5th Herald Sun Tour and acknowledged as the premier convoy driver in the country

HST 19 @ Thursday @ the Wonthaggi start

HST 19 @ Thursday @ Churchill finish - Team Sky with Dylan Van Baarle (left) who went on to take the Yellow Jersey in Melbourne

HST 19 @ Thursday @ Churchill finish - Team Mitchelton Scott

HST 19 @ Thursday @ Churchill finish - a Trek peloton

HST 19 @ Thursday @ Churchill - Michael Woods (Team EF) took the stage win and the Yellow Jersey.

HST 19 @ Wednesday @ Phillip Island - Australian National Womens Team at the start

HST 19 @ Wednesday @ Phillip Island - Womens Cipolini Team

HST 19 @ Wednesday @ Phillip Island - the Sky Team car presents well

HST 19 @ Wednesday @ Phillip Island - Ritchie Porte in the media huddle before the start

HST 19 @ Wednesday @ Phillip Island - Ritchie Porte after the stage finish

HST 19 @ Tuesday @ Silverwater Resort @ San Remo - the HST clan gathers for the annual reunion. Alex Simmons BiciSport (left) leads the drivers team in discussion

News Shorts - 28 January

David Cooper (BiciSport Master) @ the Marconi Tuesday night criterium (in B grade) @ 22 Jan

David Cooper @ Eastern Creek Raceway @ 22 Jan

Adelaide Tour Down Under 19 @ Roller Frenzy - Lise Benjamin giving it all

The Alpine Classic @ 27 Jan - the event is now owned by the new Fairfax-Nine News media conglomerate and the future is equally Bright

The Alpine Classic @ 27 Jan @ Bright (Vic) offered numerous ride options to Dingo Dell (top of Mt Buffalo), a Falls Creek Ski Station & return option, or the Omeo loop (with an overnight stay in Omeo).

B2B ACCOMMODATION OVER 16-17 MARCH

• A reminder that the B2B Weekend clashes with a major basketball competition in Bathurst, and accommodation bookings over that weekend will be tight

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Newcastle Australia Day Criterium @ 28 Jan - Rhett Hall took the B grade win (only to be relegated after going around a cone passing another grade)

• Waratah Masters @ ECR @ 27 Jan - Ian Grainger collected another 5th in the M9-10 age category race, with Raoul Westbrook competing in the M7-8

• Orange Track Open @ 27 Jan - Davide Browne placed in the Orange wheelrace final.

• Alpine Classic @ Bright (Vic) @ 27 Jan - 42 degrees on the Friday, 38 degrees on the Saturday, followed by steady rain, fog & 23 degrees on the Alpine Classic day itself. The organisation was first class with Ian Garrity & Mike O’Reilly both sighted.

2019 RACING & BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDERS NOW UPDATED

• The draft CyclingNSW 2019 Racing Calender was recently published and this has been uploaded onto this website, as has the BiciSport Special Events calendar dates

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

WISEMANS FERRY TO WISEMANS FERRY LOOP - SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

• A new CyclingNSW open road race in 2019 is the Ferry to the Mountain 110k road race in May 2019. BiciSport has got behind this exciting new road event and supporting Paul Craft (of RAW Track fame).

• BiciSport will be hosting a training ride over the circuit on Sunday 24 February with full car support. Ride starts from the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club @ 8.00am (meet at 7.30am). Details of the Wisemans Ferry-Wisemans Ferry Loop training ride are on the Special Events page of this website.

The Herald Sun Tour fires up from this Wednesday, starting at the Phillip Island Motor Racing circuit in Gippsland and concluding in Melbourne on 3 February. There with will be a daily HST diary posted every day on this website in the News section.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 29 Jan - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 30 Jan-3 Feb - Herald Sun Tour (Gippsland, Vic) - Refer separate HST diary on this website featuring Alex Simmons & Mike O’Reilly

• 1 Feb - Sutherland Criteriums (Waratah Park)

• 2 Feb - Goulburn Track Open

• 3 Feb - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School back in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to fix than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 28 Jan, 30 Jan, 1 Feb

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 29 Jan & 31 Jan

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return leg

• 30 Jan - Berowra Railway Station Gruppetto @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 31 Jan

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 2 Feb

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 3 Feb

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

REMEMBERING SYDNEY’S CAMPERDOWN VELODROME & GORDON JOHNSON VERSUS GIORDANO TURRINI

• The Camperdown Velodrome was located just off Parramatta Road (near Bridge Road). The velodrome was steep, bumpy, and facilities somewhat rudimentary, but it hosted some outstanding track racing before it was closed down. Gordon Johnson had ridden well at the 1970 Commonwealth Games for Australia, then turned professional and immediately won a World Sprint Championship and started a great battle with Giordano Turrini from Italy. Both featured in some classic sprint events at Camperdown. Gordon now owns the hotel at Mount Macedon outside Melbourne.

Gordon leads Giordano at Camperdown. Professional sprinters of the day never wore socks !

Gordon Johnson attacks in the back straight of the Camperdown Velodrome in Sydney’s inner west

Classic professional sprinting was not dissimilar to WWF … it included the odd elbow, a solid shoulder or a heavy head butt to make things all the more interesting. Whoever won the first round, narrowly lost the second (gee, that was unlucky), which made the third round a total thriller.

News Shorts - 21 January

Mark Preston (BiciSport Master) climbing Mt Wellington (12k @ 7%) outside Hobart on 16 January. Mark was touring Tasmania with the support of Velo Tours Australia

Vinney (The 11 Cog) Panetta hosts the BiciSport Saturday coffee peloton on 19 January at the Miramare Gardens cafe off Myoora Rd Terrey Hills from 9.30am.

Pilu Racing Team @ the Tour DownUnder 2019

Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne Park @ 20 Jan - Ian Grainger took another 5th in C grade

VALE MRS NORBIATO

• Condolences go out to one of our Griffith BiciSport members Frank Signor and his wife Maryann on the passing of her mother (Mrs Norbiato) on the weekend. The BiciSport club sends our deepest sympathy.

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Recovery Ward - Speedy recovery to Peter Stupka (a regular on the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride) with a new stent

• Bright (Vic) - Sighted in Bright this week is both Conor & Brett Tarlington

2019 RACING & BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDERS NOW UPDATED

• The draft CyclingNSW 2019 Racing Calender was recently published and this has been uploaded onto this website, as has the BiciSport Special Events calendar dates

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS

AUDAX ALPINE CLASSIC (BRIGHT) - SUNDAY 27 JANUARY

WISEMANS FERRY TO WISEMANS FERRY LOOP - SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

• A new CyclingNSW road race in 2019 is the Ferry to the Mountain 110k road race in May 2019. BiciSport has got behind this exciting new road event and supporting Paul Craft (of RAW Track fame). Mike O’Reilly (BiciSport) will be the Race Director on the day.

• BiciSport will be hosting a training ride over the circuit on Sunday 24 February with full car support. Ride starts from the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club @ 8.00am. Details of the Wisemans Ferry-Wisemans Ferry Loop training ride are on the Special Events page of this website.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 22 Jan - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 24-27 Jan - Cadel Evans Road Races (Geelong, Vic)

• 26-27 Jan - Orange Track & Bathurst Criteriums

• 27 Jan - Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters CC), Alpine Audax Classic (Bright, Vic) with BiciSport starters Mike O’Reilly

• 28 Jan (Mon) - Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are getting HEAVIER with the NSW School holidays soon to end

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to fix than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 21 Jan, 23 Jan, 25 Jan

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 22 & 24 Jan

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest, then Terrey Hills shops @ 9.00am on the return leg

• 24 Jan

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 26 Jan

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 27 Jan

• Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

BiciSport coffee stop of choice is every Saturday morning @ Miramare Cafe Myoora Rd Terrey Hills from 9.30am. All BiciSport members & friends most welcome

CYCLING DIGITAL DISRUPTION GOES TO A CLUB RACE NEAR YOU

(by Mike O’Reilly)

Digital Disruption is everywhere to see. Be it the demise of the Nokia mobile phone (we all had one at some point), dropping the Kodak film off to a local chemist (really, we did that ?), to wearing a wrist watch (no way !) and try buying a new car with a CD player (good luck !!), or even buy a CD for that matter. How we all communicate & socialize has changed like no other time in recent human history.

Cycling is no different when it comes to digital disruption - be it the demise of the local bike shop with the growth of internet shopping (all that took was easy to understand overseas cycling websites, confidence to give your credit card details to a computer screen & overseas courier delivery in just 5 days). Ditto for glossy cycling magazines as excellent publications have simply closed, never to be seen again (some have successfully diversified but genuine success stories are very very rare).

In the face of retail & social change cycling (in general) has boomed. Place yourself on McCarrs Creek Road at Terrey Hills on any given Saturday morning and you’ll be astounded at the numerous social cycling bunches enjoying the local ride. Likewise, enter a well organised cyclosportive or gran fondo (events at Bowral or Jindabyne come to mind) and in all likelihood you’ll see excellent patronage at a very well organised event. However when it comes to cycle racing things couldn’t be in more contrast. If the start numbers at your local club race or State event are on the rise then take a bow, as your event is a rare treat. Entry numbers at most races (be it velodrome or road, local or State) are in serious decline, and the shift in club membership trends either show negative growth or for members that do rejoin they are switching from ‘race’ to ‘ride it’ memberships. The many reasons for local cycle racing being on the slide may be a combination of demographic, social or financial issues but the decline is there for all to see. For sure, if Saturday morning along McCarrs Creek Road is a guide more people than ever are cycling but fewer people are now buying a cycle racing licence, and racing participation levels are generally on a negative trend.

The biggest challenge to the local club racing scene may soon come from within. The current national cycling membership model has been in existence for nearly 100 years, whereby members join a local club in the first instance, under the auspices of Cycling Australia. Its a miracle that the current membership model has lasted this long, but be in no doubt, if that model changes and local clubs are excluded from the membership process, then watch this space.

Bright (Victoria) plays host to the Audax Alpine Classic on Sunday 27 January with the climbs of Tawonga Gap, Falls Creek & Mt Buffalo

The Herald Sun Tour starts on 30 January on Phillip Island & concludes in Melbourne on 3 February. Ritchie Porte & Team Sky are on the start line.

Not the recommended way to clean your bike !!

News Shorts - 14 January

Tumut Cycle Classic @ 13 January

BiciSport starters at the Tumut Cycle Classic @ 13 January - L to R .. Michael Taylor, Melissa Budd, Peter Budd & Mike O’Reilly

Waratah Masters @ Eastern Creek @ 13 Jan - Ian Grainger finished 5th in C grade

TUMUT CYCLE CLASSIC - 13 JANUARY

• The Tumut Cycle Classic is something of a hidden gem. 400 riders lined up for the 100k or 70k options on delightful back roads outside Tumut totally devoid of any motor traffic (save for the odd wallaby) and spectacular scenery. Weather conditions were hot with little wind of any note. The TCC organisation was excellent (course was well sign posted and numerous drink stations) and the course design second to none. The course itself had plenty of climbing and similar to say an Akuna Bay or a West Head for climbing difficulty, but the absence of any traffic made it a great day out. See you in 2020. BiciSport had four starters in Michael Taylor, Melissa & Peter Budd & Mike O’Reilly

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Waratah Masters @ 13 Jan - Ian Grainger finished 5th from 42 starters in C grade

• Sponsored Groups now renew contracts from 1 January each year - A reminder to all BiciSport riders that sponsored group contracts are now to be renewed from 1 January 2019.

• Happy Wheels BiciSport Team renews for 2019 - The Happy Wheels team for 2019 includes Conor Tarlington, Declan Jones, Stewart & Mirielle Campbell, Randolph Baral, David Browne, Rolly Delaytz, Peter Budd, Ben Elliott & Ruth Strapp. In 2019 the HW team remains sponsored by Happy Wheels Waterloo, Kask helmets, Lazer sunglasses & S-Phyre shoes

2019 RACING & BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDERS NOW UPDATED

• The draft CyclingNSW 2019 Racing Calender was recently published and this has been uploaded onto this website, as has the BiciSport Special Events calendar dates

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTs

AUdAX ALPINE CLASSIC (BRIGHT) - SUNDAY 27 JANUARY

WISEMANS FERRY TO WISEMANS FERRY LOOP - SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

• A new CyclingNSW road race in 2019 is the Ferry to the Mountain 110k road race in May 2019. BiciSport has got behind this exciting new road event and supporting Paul Craft (of RAW Track fame). Mike O’Reilly (BiciSport) will be the Race Director on the day.

• BiciSport will be hosting a training ride over the circuit on Sunday 24 February with full car support. Ride starts from the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club @ 7.30am. Details of the Wisemans Ferry-Wisemans Ferry Loop training ride are on the Special Events page of this website.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 15 Jan - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra)

• 15-20 Jan - TourDownUnder (Adelaide SA)

• 19 Jan - Gosford Track Open (Central Coast)

• 20 Jan - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters CC), Ourimbah University Criteriums (Central Coast)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are getting HEAVIER with the NSW School holidays soon to end

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to fix than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there, sort of !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 14 Jan, 16 Jan, 18 Jan

  • Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 15 Jan

  • Hills Nursery Terrey Hills @ 7.45am for Akuna Bay/West Head

• 15 & 17 Jan

  • Waratah’s Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 7.50am for Akuna Bay & Duffys Forest

• 17 Jan

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 9.30am 

• 19 Jan

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 21 Jan

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

BiciSport Special Event @ Sunday 24 February - The Wisemans Ferry Loop is a fully supported ride with a following car to assist. Details are on the Special Events page on this website.

Peter Sagan @ Paris Roubaix 2018 - the greatest cyclist of the current generation on the way to a famous Roubaix victory. Sagan starts his 2019 season at the Tour Down Under (15-20 January)

Eddy Merckx @ Rouleur Magazine Christmas function in London @ December 2018 - the greatest cyclist across all generations

Eddy Merckx @ Tour of Italy @ 1970 leading Felice Gimondi (in Salvarani Blue)

News Shorts - 7 January

CA National Elite Road Championships @ Ballarat @ 5 Jan - Alex Simmons & Robin Tiffo frame the National Championship Lead Car before the start of the Championships at Buningyong

BiciSport Distinguished Gentlemans Ride @ Centennial Park @ 3 January - a decidedly motley crew formed up the DGR peloton last week and Ivan Sher led the DGR peloton on the last lap to claim the stage victory.

L to R - Ivan Sher, Martin Renwick, John Crouchley, Peter Stupka (with a very nice Pinarello), Glenn Vigar, Ian Grainger, John Robb, Marty Wright & Mike O’Reilly. All cyclists are welcome to this Thursday morning ride starting from the Spruce Goose Cafe in the centre of Centennial Park at 9.30am during January (going back to 10.30am in February).

Jindabyne Training Camp @ 5 Jan - Stewart & Mireille Campbell

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Hunter Valley Masters @ Kooragang @ 6 Jan - Ruth Strapp finished 6th in B grade. Rhett Hall rode A grade

• Cycling Australia National Championships @ Ballarat @ 4-6 Jan - Alex Simmons was sighted driving the Chief Commissaires car during the Ballarat Nationals. Alex is acknowledged as the premier race convoy driver currently behind the wheel. It takes a high degree of skill & concentration to place a motor vehicle deep inside a professional peloton at full speed & Alex does an outstanding job. Alex’s next role is the Chief Commissaires convoy driver at the Herald Sun Tour from 30 Jan-3 Feb (HST stage details below), a race that features Ritchie Porte & Team Sky.

• Sponsored Groups now renew contracts from 1 January each year - A reminder to all BiciSport riders that sponsored group contracts are now to be renewed from 1 January 2019.

• Happy Wheels BiciSport Team renews for 2019 - The Happy Wheels team for 2019 includes Conor Tarlington, Declan Jones, Stewart & Mirielle Campbell, Randolph Baral, David Browne, Rolly Delaytz, Peter Budd, Ben Elliott & Ruth Strapp. In 2019 the HW team remains sponsored by Happy Wheels Waterloo, Kask helmets, Lazer sunglasses & S-Phyre shoes

2019 RACING & BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDERS NOW UPDATED

• The draft CyclingNSW 2019 Racing Calender was recently published and this has been uploaded onto this website, as has the BiciSport Special Events calendar

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENT - TUMUT CYCLE CLASSIC - 13 JANUARY

• Details of the Tumut Cycle Classic are on the Special Events page of this website.

• Peter Budd (BiciSport Master) & friends are attending and if you need further information check out the webpage.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 13 Jan - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters CC), Tumut Cycle Classic Cyclosportive (Tumut, NSW), Peoples Choice Classic TDU (Adelaide, SA), Ourimbah University Criteriums (Central Coast)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are now EASIER with the NSW School holidays in full swing

*  Note -

• Roadworks of note

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … taking longer to fix than the Operation Puerto cycling drug bust !

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … almost there !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 7 Jan, 9 Jan, 11 Jan - Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 7.30am (to 9.30am)  

• 9 Jan - Hills Nursery Car Park Terrey Hills @ 7.30am for Akuna Bay, West Head & return

• 10 Jan (Thurs) -

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 9.30am 

• 12 Jan -

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 13 Jan

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

BiciSport Fashionista Marty Wright sighted on McCarrs Creek Rd last week near Church Point in the new BiciSport white-blue summer training kit. Orders are now being taken for the next clothing delivery in just 4 weeks - simply email bicisport1@gmail.com

Tumut Cycle Classic circuit over 100k & climbing profile

The 2019 Herald Sun Tour this year is based in Gippsland with a start on Phillip Island, with stage finishes at Churchill, Warragul & Arthurs Seat. The final 90k criterium is in central Melbourne. The HST features Ritchie Porte & Team Sky.

News Shorts - 31 December

BiciSport IL Presidente Ian Grainger wishes you a very happy New Year and safe cycling in 2019

Happy New Year from the Happy Wheels Waterloo team & safe cycling in 2019

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Waratah Masters @ 30 Dec - Jeremy Hopson finished 4th in A grade (in another breakaway) & Ian Grainger was a peloton finish in C grade

• Cycling Australia National Road Championships @ Ballarat - Alex Simmons (BiciSport Master) will be the Chief Commissaires convoy driver at Ballarat Nationals.

• Sponsored Groups now renew contracts from 1 January each year - A reminder to all BiciSport riders that sponsored group contracts are now to be renewed from 1 January 2019.

• Happy Wheels BiciSport Team renews for 2019 - The Happy Wheels team for 2019 includes Conor Tarlington, Declan Jones, Stewart & Mirielle Campbell, Randolph Baral, David Browne, Rolly Delaytz, Peter Budd, Ben Elliott & Ruth Strapp

Sydney Christmas Carnivals @ DGV @ Dec 2018 - David Browne

Sydney Christmas Carnivals @ DGV @ Dec 18 - Lise Benjamin

CYCLING AUSTRALIA NATIONAL ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS - PROGRAM

• Friday 4 Jan - Ballarat Criteriums - U19 Women; U19 Men; U23 Men; U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men

• Saturday 5 Jan – Buninyong Road Races - Para all categories; U19 Women, U19 Men; U23 Men, CA Gran Fondo Championships

• Sunday 6 Jan – Buninyong Road Races - U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men

• Monday 7 Jan – Buninyong Time Trials - Para all categories; U19 Women; U19 Men

• Tuesday 8 Jan – Buninyong Time Trials - U23 Men; U23 Women; Elite Women; Elite Men

2019 RACING & BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDERS NOW UPDATED

• The draft CyclingNSW 2019 racing calender was recently published and this has been uploaded onto this website, as has the BiciSport Special Events calendar

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENT - TUMUT CYCLE CLASSIC - 13 JANUARY

• Details of the Tumut Cycle Classic are on the Special Events page of this website.

• Peter Budd (BiciSport Master) & friends are attending and if you need further information check out the webpage.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 1-3 Jan - Bay Classic Criteriums (Geelong & Melbourne)

• 4-8 Jan - Cycling Australia National Championships (Ballarat, Vic)

• 6 Jan - Heffron Park (Waratah Masters CC)

Ballarat host the CA National Road Championships from 4-8 January

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are now EASIER with the NSW School holidays in full swing

*  Note -

• Major roadworks

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … its just never ending

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … so is this !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 31 Dec, 2 Jan, 4 Jan - Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 8.00am (to 9.30am)  

• 3 Jan (Thurs) -

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 9.00am 

• 5 Jan -

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 6 Jan

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

  • Hills Nursery Terrey Hills @ 7.30am for Akuna Bay & West Head

Best wishes for 2019 from the the famous Everton Bus Shelter near Bright (Victoria). The locals are well known for going all out on the festive decoration on the local bus shelter (every bus shelter needs a lounge, various teddy bears, old style phones, Christmas hamper & cushions)

Eddy Verbust (Ghent 6 Day organiser) has been a great supporter to numerous BiciSport riders who have raced in Belgium over the years. Eddy (left) is pictured with Kenny De Ketele at the Ghent Velodrome with the steep velodrome banking in the background. David Browne (BiciSport Master) & fellow BiciSport velodrome tragics are headed for the Ghent 6 in November 2019.

Tumut Cycle Classic on 13 January - Route details & climbing profile (event details in BiciSport Special Events)

News Shorts - 24 December

Noel La Rose (BiciSport Master) turned 81 years young and celebrated with an 81k ride around the Homebush-Rhodes precinct. L to R - Dom Caravello, John Lee, Joc Young, Noel La Rose, Peter Davis & Lyle Baird

The steep bankings at the Ghent 6 velodrome has the riders going as horizontal as possible for 6 days

The t’Kuipe track at the Ghent 6 is only 166 metres per lap, so the action is close & tight

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Waratah Masters @ Heffron Park @ 23 Dec - Jeremy Hopson finished 3rd in A grade in a small breakaway. Ian Grainger was a peloton finish in C grade.

• Ghent 6 Day @ November 2019 - David Browne (BiciSport Master) in a rare feat of endurance has taken up the challenge of attending the Ghent 6 Day each night in November 2019. The first test of super human endurance was getting the tickets online as the whole event sold out in just 5 days (David has never sprinted so fast across a keyboard in his life). David will be joined by Steve Hamilton & Mike O’Reilly

• Happy Wheels BiciSport Team renews for 2019 - The Happy Wheels team for 2019 includes Conor Tarlington, Declan Jones, Stewart & Mirielle Campbell, Randolph Baral, David Browne, Rolly Delaytz, Peter Budd, Ben Elliott & Ruth Strapp

RACING THIS WEEK

• 27-30 Dec - Victorian Track Christmas Carnivals

• 27-31 Dec - Sydney Track Christmas Carnivals (Hurstville, Tempe, Lidcombe, DGV)

• 30 Dec - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are now EASIER with the NSW School holidays

*  Note -

• Major roadworks

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … its just never ending

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … so is this !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 24, 26, 28 Dec - Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 8.00am (to 9.30am)  

• 27 Dec (Thurs) -

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 29 Dec -

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 30 Dec

  • Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

FOR SALE - NEW STEVENS FULL CARBON + NEW ULTEGRA + ZIPP WHEELS

For Sale - new BiciSport team bike, surplus to team requirements. New Stevens (German brand) 50cm (small) full carbon frame & new Ultegra groupset, 170mm cranks, 40cm h’bars, Shimano 105 pedals, gearing is 12x28 & 36x52, total weight at just over 7.0kgs. A delightful ride for the smaller rider. $2700 ono. Contact Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244 or bicisport1@gmail.com

The regular Saturday BiciSport coffee house is now the Sandstone Cafe at Miramare Gardens (off Myoora Rd at Terrey Hills) from 9.30am every Saturday. All BiciSport members & friends are most welcome.

News Shorts - 17 December

Go Santa !!

The Centennial Park Distinguished Gentlemens Ride always attracts 8-12 riders enjoying Centennial Park on any given Thursday. The ride starts from the Spruce Goose Cafe in the centre of Centennial Park (near the Lake) @ 10.30am. Last Thursday featured BiciSport riders (L to R) John Crouchley, Mike O’Reilly, little Axel, Ian Grainger & Peter Davis.

The Herald Sun Tour 2019 features Ritchie Porte riding for Trek Segafredo and is based through the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria - starting on Phillip Island and finishing with a criterium in Melbourne

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Herald Sun Tour News @ 30 Jan to 2 Feb 2019 - Alex Simmons & Mike O’Reilly are again doing Commissaire driving duties at the HST 19. In 2019 the HST starts at Phillip Island, then goes into Gippsland via Churchill, Warragul, Sale, Arthurs Seat with a final criterium in Melbourne. The headline act is Ritchie Porte riding for Trek Segafredo.

RACING THIS WEEK

• 18 Dec - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra) from 6.00pm-7.00pm

• 23 Dec - Heffron Park (Waratah Masters CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are now EASIER with the NSW School holidays

*  Note -

• Major roadworks

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … its just never ending

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … so is this !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 17, 19, 21 Dec - Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 8.00am (to 9.30am)  

• 19 Dec - Berowra Gruppetto @ 7.30am @ opposite Berowra Railway Station (to Calga & return for 65k)

• 20 Dec (Thurs) -

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 21 Dec - Noel La Rose 81st Birthday Celebration Ride - meet corner Shorelink Drive & Walker St Rhodes Point (near Moorebank Bridge) @ 7.00am for SOPA Loops

• 22 Dec -

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 23 Dec

• Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

FOR SALE - NEW STEVENS FULL CARBON + NEW ULTEGRA + ZIPP WHEELS

For Sale - New Stevens Road Carbon Frame + new Ultegra Groupset, loaded on stunning Zipp Wheels with 12-28 rear block on 36x52 chainset + Shimano 105 pedals + 40cm h’bars. Frame size is small (50cm). This new BiciSport team bike is surplus to BiciSport team requirements & priced to sell at just $2700. Contact Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244 or bicisport1@gmail.com

Photo of 2018 by Peter Budd (BiciSport Master) … driving through Switzerland on a “public road + cycle path” when along comes a Swiss Air Force plane taxing into a nearby underground hangar. Nice bike path !

News Shorts - 10 December

BiciSport Happy Wheels Waterloo Christmas Party @ 7 Dec - Karl Hoad, Ruth Strapp & Sean Mura

BiciSport Happy Wheels Waterloo Christmas Party @ 7 Dec

Sydney Cup on Wheels @ DGV @ 9 Dec - David Browne (BiciSport Happy Wheels) had a great Sydney Cup carnival at DGV.

BICISPORT CHRISTMAS PARTY

• A big thankyou to Stewart & Mirielle Campbell for hosting the BiciSport Happy Wheels Christmas Party on 7 December. A great night was had by all & best wishes for Christmas.

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

• Sydney Cup on Wheels @ DGV @ 8 Dec - David Browne (BiciSport Happy Wheels) had a big night at the Sydney Cup at DGV with 2nd in the Wheelrace heat, 4th in the Sydney Cup final, 1st in the divisional Keirin, 4th in the Lighting H’cap, then Bronze medal in the State Tempo Championship. Graham Cockerton & Lise Benjamin also rode well to make the Sydney Cup final.

• Waratah Masters @ ECR @ 9 Dec - Ian Grainger was a peloton finish in C grade

RACING THIS WEEK

• 11 Dec - Heffron Park Criteriums (Maroubra) from 6.00pm-7.00pm

• 14 Dec - HART Criteriums St Ives (Manly CC), Waratah Park Sutherland Criteriums (Sutherland CC)

• 15 Dec - Austral Wheelrace & National Madison Championships (DISC Velodrome, Melbourne)

• 16 Dec - Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters CC), Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney CC), Ourimbah University Criterium (Central Coast CC)

BICISPORT GROUP RIDES THIS WEEK

• For further details please contact 0417 403 244  

*  Motor traffic conditions are HEAVIER with the NSW School term (which finishes soon).

*  Note -

• Major roadworks

  • Forest Way (at Forestville) … its just never ending

  • Warringah Rd (at Allambie Heights) … so is this !

  • Military Rd (Cremorne to Neutral Bay) with center lane reconstruction

All group rides are cancelled if wet

• 10, 12, 14 Dec - Centennial Park Lower Loop @ 8.00am (to 9.30am)  

• 12 Dec - Berowra Gruppetto @ 7.30am @ opposite Berowra Railway Station (to Calga & return for 65k)

• 13 Dec (Thurs) -

  • Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels shop at Waterloo. 

  • Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ Centennial Park Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am 

• 15 Dec -

  • Bennelong Bridge (East Side) @ Rhodes @ 8.00am (4x10k loops around SOPA). 

  • BiciSport Coffee at Miramire Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am 

• 16 Dec

• Sydney Olympic Park @ Hill St Wharf @ 7.00am (for SOPA Loops until 8.15am)

VALE PAUL SHERWEN

(by Mike O’Reilly)

Much has been written about the recent passing of Paul Sherwen (pictured below). Everybody has a Paul Sherwen story to tell and they all reflect an honesty, a sincerity & unlimited professionalism from a person who gave the cycling world a delightful warmth. You couldn’t help but feel better for being in his presence.

Rob Hadley & Glenn Vigar were good mates with Paul through the Tour Down Under in Adelaide as Rob & Glenn had driven the Shimano neutral spares car at the TDU for some 15 years. The three of us were in Flanders in 2014 watching the Belgian Spring Classics and the opportunity came up to have dinner with both Phil Liggett & Paul at the Lille Casino the night before the Paris Roubaix professional classic. It was a great night & Paul will be sadly missed.

Paul Sherwen (right) @ Lille Casino dinner just before the Paris Roubaix professional classic @ April 2014

Tour Down Under Legends Dinner - featured Paul’s 1983 La Redoute-Motobecane team bike with Paul admiring the thoughtful team bike restoration

Tour of Flanders 1983 - Paul Sherwen on the deck on the steep Koppenberg climb near Oudenaarde

Tour of Flanders 1983 - Paul Sherwin riding for the La Redoute Motobecane professional team