Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 19 i Cyclist Australia

Acouple of years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never again make any New Year’s resolutions. As far as New Year’s resolutions go, it was one of the easier ones to keep. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t made any plans. I’ve got plenty of those for 2016. A plan is better than a resolution, because when a plan falls apart you can simply come up with another plan rather than beating yourself up over your pitiful lack of willpower. So what are my plans for 2016? Well, for starters, I’m planning to follow a stricter training regime that will be highly structured and progressive, building in intensity over the next few months so that when summer comes I’ll be the human equivalent of a racing greyhound –…

The helmet of choice for men’s and women’s professional outfits Lotto-Soudal and Wiggle High5 Professional Cycling is more than just a lightweight, 31-vent, cool and comfortable safety item. Designed to accommodate more accessories than Inspector Gadget, the Z1 can be quickly transformed into an aero (or even winter) option with the available clip-on Aeroshell. If that wasn’t enough, install an ANT+ heart rate monitor, grab a Z-LED tail light or use the Cappuccino Lock to securely attach your helmet to your bike. Go Go Gadget Z1. Wahoo Tickr heart rate monitor $139.95, au.wahoofitness.com The company with an apparent aversion to the letter 'e' has now produced the Tickr, a heart rate monitor that’s more than just a dumbwaiter for your pulse data. Via Bluetooth and ANT+, the Tickr connects to…

This image is from the Queen Stage of the 2016 Tour Down Under in South Australia starting in McLaren Vale with the now classic finish atop Willunga Hill. In my opinion, it's the most scenic stage of the whole tour. The stage passes the beautiful Aldinga Beach (pictured here) before the bunch heads inland for two ascents up the short, punchy Willunga climb. It’s an amazing stage to photograph due to the stunning background and chance to capture the right shot more than once. It’s easy to get the peloton speeding along the beach front with beach and oceans views as a backdrop, but creating something more unique is always more challenging. The rider shown is Nelson Oliveira (Movistar Team). Oliveira made it into the break, working hard against the…

The Etape du Tour, the annual amateur event that follows one of the key mountain stages of the Tour de France, lends us mortals a rare opportunity to make direct comparisons between the pros and ourselves. This year’s Etape route was the 138km alpine stage 19, from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire-Les Sybelles, which included an ascent of the fearsome Croix de Fer. The first rider across the line in the amateur sportive was France’s Jeremy Bescond in 4h52m44s. Five days later Vincenzo Nibali took the spoils as the Tour passed through, covering the stage in 4h22m53s at an average speed of 31.5kmh – that’s 11% quicker. Of course Nibali had the assistance of his team and other riders around him (although on this occasion no obvious use of the team…

A blood-orange glow is emitted from the nearby ridgeline. We stare out of our wooden cabin – creaking as the temperature drops – with anticipation. Down the hill and towards the cattle-proof gate stand a few pairs of anxious llama eyes reflecting in the falling light. We feel their concern. Like us, the llamas are yet to be fed, and the kitchen at Kangaroo Valley’s Friendly Inn closes shortly after dark. Soigneur’s Daniel Strauss, Cyclist photographer Marcus Enno (Beardy McBeard) and I discuss tomorrow’s route along with others to be included in an upcoming three-day HC-ranked Soigneur trip. Dan Bonello, meanwhile, has made the trip from Melbourne to reccy the area. We’re here to ensure he gets access to as much of the surroundings as possible. We decide on a…

Name: Jack Bobridge Age: 26 Born: Adelaide, South Australia Major teams: 2016 Trek-Segafredo (USA) 2015 Team Budget Forklifts (Aus) 2013-2014 Blanco Cycling Team (Ned) 2012 Orica-GreenEdge (Aus) 2010-2011 Garmin-Transitions (USA) Honours: Australian National Road Race Championships (2016, 2011) Tour Down Under: 1 individual stage (2015); KOM Classification (2015) UCI Track World Championships: Men’s Team Pursuit (2011, 2010); Men’s Individual Pursuit (2011) Commonwealth Games: Men’s Individual Pursuit (2010) Eneco Tour: 1 individual stage (2010)…

Okay. Let’s start by clearing the air and laying down one fact: a race by any other name is still a race. Yes, this is the Taiwan KOM “Challenge”. But if they called it the KOM “Race”, what is already a daunting enough feat suddenly loses a sense of aspiration. Every rider wants to be challenged. Not every rider wants to be “a racer”. But trust me – even if it’s only against themselves, every rider is racing for (or against) something. So please, no hate if I use the reference “race”. And more importantly, don’t let it put you off considering attending. Although something tells me the difficulties of this event do not lie in the terminology... To the Challenge. I recall racing the Tour of the Philippines in…

Ivan Basso wears a broad smile. It’s the same one that has been fixed to his face throughout his career. Whether climbing with Lance Armstrong on the Tourmalet, or dropping Cadel Evans on the Mortirolo, Basso maintained this glowing grin while a world of pressure weighed down on him, leading to him being nicknamed ‘The Smiling Assassin’. On the day we meet, it is just one month after Basso had a cancerous tumour removed and he’s still uncertain whether the cancer has spread, yet his smile remains firmly in place. ‘I recovered very well from the operation,’ he tells Cyclist. ‘I have to wait for a scan result to see if it’s under control.’ His cancer was testicular. A crash on Stage 5 of the 2015 Tour de France left…

It was on the Stelvio Pass, on its introduction to the world of pro cycling in the 1953 Giro d’Italia, that Italian ‘Champion of Champions’ Fausto Coppi made one of his most famous attacks. He broke the race leader, Hugo Koblet, putting three and a half minutes between them to steal the maglia rosa on the penultimate stage, and effectively secure his fifth and final Giro victory. The majestic and pain-defying ride set a precedent for the Stelvio as the scene of courage, drama and triumph, and many other decisive and controversial moments have been played out on its slopes since, cementing the pass’s status as a cycling icon – the jewel of the Eastern Alps. It’s this rich history and harsh physical challenge that has drawn us to the…

Professionals are already quite recognisable – something about the full team kit, deep tan and race-horse physique is generally enough to let others know you’re the real deal. The remaining equipment doesn’t always need to be so outlandish – at least not for Team Sky, who have now been fitted with the distinct thin blue line across their PRO cockpits. Treated across the alloy Vibe 7s bar, available in round, compact or anatomic bend and puzzle-clamp stem, you too can go all-pro – without having to live out of a suitcase for 80 race days a year. Purist bidon and KEG $20 (bidon), $15 (KEG), cyclist.com.au Resplendent in a design that meets your own, club, team, charity, organisation or shop needs and available in a host of bottle colours, sizes…

1 Bay Ten Espresso, Lavender Bay, NSW baytenespresso.com.au While it may be young in years, Bay Ten has garnered a loyal list of Sydney cyclists. Housed in a large, industrial warehouse space and sharing its home with The Body Mechanic, Bay Ten is the last point on the bike lane before you cross the Harbour Bridge. High ceilings and a massive open-plan layout mean there's plenty of room to spread out on tables and rack your bikes safely. But let's not forgot about the coffee. White Horse Roasters supplies the beans that make up the Black Magic blend that's sold only at Bay Ten. Whether it's cold drip, espresso or cold brew you want, Bay Ten serves it. 2 Jaxx Espresso Ellenbrock, WA jaxxespressobar.com Good things do come in small…

Cyclist: What’s life like now compared to a year ago? Cadel Evans: Just as much fun but not nearly as stressful. We’re currently in Adelaide during the Tour Down Under. What’s your most memorable moment from the race? Descending the Corkscrew – that was my last WorldTour win in 2014. You’re now a global ambassador for BMC. What does that involve? It seems to involve a little bit of everything. I travel a lot still, but I enjoy that and being an ambassador – I thought I always was, but obviously it’s now in a different way. I’m no longer trying to win the Tour de France or be on TV getting results. It’s hands-on, being there for clients, people, riders, bike shops – just being there and being available…

No one knocks back the chance to hop on something new. I love the smell of a fresh ride in the morning It’s weird abandoning something you’ve done for so long. The pre-trip ritual of getting your bike checked over – does it need a new chain? Are the tyres going to survive one more week? – is almost a rite of passage, not to mention a feasible excuse to drop a few dollars on an already over-capitalised ride. This time, however, will be different. This time, we’re just packing our shoes and lycra. The bikes are staying at home. This is going to be a weekend in Adelaide with a difference. Velo-Porte are our hosts for the trip. They provide bikes, bidons, helmets, computers – even power meters, if…

With my own Tarmac left safely back at home, Velo-Porte hand-picked the Tarmac Expert, fitted with a Shimano Ultegra 11-speed groupset for the team at Cyclist to use across the two days of riding and shooting. The Tarmac falls under Specialized’s Competitive line while still providing a versatile enough geometry that should suit most. We chose the standard wheelset model, equipped with Fulcrum S4 alloy clinchers. However, if you’re looking for something with a little more speed – and want to record your data at the same time – you can upgrade to a pair of Mavic Comic SLs and also have the guys install a Garmin GPS computer. Delivered to your accommodation (within the central Adelaide area, we should note!) on arrival, it’s sized to your requirements and collected…

Two classic ensembles reborn with the latest modern trimmings. Giant’s all-new TCR, dubbed as the “jack of all trades” is the professionals’ choice for riders from Giant-Alpecin, just as it is a weekend-warrior’s favourite. Lighter, stiffer and not necessarily faster – that’s for another model in the Giant stable – is what you’ll get. The hardest part is working out how far to stretch the budget. Meanwhile, now in its 10th-year incarnation, the Scultura has cut the fat – quite literally. Designed for the weight-conscious mountain goats, the frame tips the scales at a mere 750g. But delve further into its credentials and you’ll discover it’s far more than just a thorn in the side of the weight-checking UCI. This is also a WorldTour-level performer.…

THE SPEC Model Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Deviations KMC X11 SL Chain Wheels Giant SLR 0 WheelSystem Finishing kit Giant Contact SL bars and stem, Giant Variant Composite seatpost, Giant Contact SL Forward saddle Weight 6.65kg (55.5cm) Price $5,999 Contact giant-bicycles.com/en-au Established in 1989, Once (pronounced ‘On-say’) was an interesting cycling team for two reasons. Not only was it title-sponsored by a charity (Once is a Spanish foundation for the visually impaired), it was also one of the first teams to be managed by someone other than an ex-pro, a chap by the name of Manolo Saiz, who prior to Once cut his teeth coaching visually impaired tandem cyclists. Saiz was a trailblazer for innovative coaching techniques, which allegedly included having riders only training on…

Ever wondered how accurate those little marker lines for cleat position are on the soles of your shoes? Ever wondered how accurate the sizing of your shoes is full-stop? Well, Rob Cook, the man behind the latest S-Works shoes, claims to have the answer: ‘Not very. For example, the hand processes used in many shoes' manufacturing can affect the fit of the girth by 6mm for the same size. Many of these hand processes, such as cutting and glueing, produce margins of error, so the primary goal for our new shoe wasn’t just fit, but also consistency.’ Specialized automates as many of its manufacturing processes as possible. The materials are laser-cut, and the PadLock heal enclosure is minutely jigsawed to interlock with the carbon sole. Then there’s the cleat mounting.…

Fitted with a trio of Thule bike carriers, initially thought a faux pas on this type of chassis, we soon forget about our 30-odd grand of bikes strapped to the roof as the all-new XE races south towards the Highlands of NSW. Initially available in a range of engines, the sportiest of which is the 250kW, 450Nm 3.0-litre supercharged V6 familiar from the F-type sports car, there’s definitely no concern powering up even the Highlands' most savage ascents in this thing. For the number-crunchers this is enough go to power the range-topping (for now) XE S to 100kmh in around 5.1 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 250kmh. ‘Darty’ is the first word that springs to mind, though you quickly relax and adjust and begin to marvel…

Cyclists love pain. It’s worn as a badge of honour, because the more you hurt, the faster you go, leaving those weaker in mind and body in your wake. Except, when you watch the pros, they often seem to be expending very little effort at all, yet they cruise along at speeds that would leave most weekend riders gasping for breath. Is it simply that the pros have bigger engines? ‘Interestingly, there’s an inverse relationship between maximal oxygen uptake [VO2 max] and cycling efficiency observed in top professional cyclists,’ says BMC Racing sports scientist David Bailey, who works with riders of the calibre of Tejay van Garderen. ‘This means cyclists with the highest VO2 max are less efficient than those with a lower VO2 max. This is one reason why…

I could tell a lot about Trek-Segafredo from their appearance as they rode toward me against the urban backdrop of the Adelaide CBD. They were all crisp, white collars and charcoal pants accented by the subtlest of pinstripes. What first drew my attention was what they rode: a bulk of carbon-fibre frames glossed in Ferrari-red. They were like the peloton’s silver-haired VIPs arriving at the office in their brand new sports cars, assuredly putting one polished leather Oxford shoe before the other. When Trek Factory Racing launched over two years ago it looked like a continuation of the LEOPARD and RadioShack adolescent years from which it grew. However, as it now steps fully grown into 2016 as Trek-Segafredo, it wears a kind of mature confidence on its sleeve. The team’s…

The Zero.7 is Wilier’s latest answer to a ride just like this. The frame comes in at 799g and is designed with every handling and comfort measure in mind. Aerodynamics are improved from the previous iteration, and it also has Special Elastic Infiltrated technology, a ‘viscoelastic film’ that dampens the effect of road buzz. The Stelvio Pass was a true delight on the Zero.7. With the Mavic Ksyrium SLR wheels and Campagnolo Super Record groupset, the bike weighs a dainty 6.7kg. For climbing, the stiffness of the wheelset and response of the frame did a lot for my rolling speeds, while impressive braking performance from the Ksyrium Exalith brake surfaces made it a joy on descents, too.…

THE SPEC Model Merida Scultura 9000 Groupset Sram Red 22 Deviations Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 direct-mount rear brake Wheels DT Swiss Mon Chasseral Finishing kit FSA K-Force Compact OS handlebars, FSA OS99 stem, Merida EGM-Light seatpost, Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio saddle Weight 5.8kg (52cm) Price $9,999 Contact merida.com.au Scultura is Italian for statue, which is perhaps an odd name for a new bike considering most statues are heavy and immobile. While the heaviest statue in the world is the Statue of Liberty at 204,116kg, the new Merida Scultura Ltd weighs just 4.56kg. Cyclist’s test version is the slightly more reasonably specced Scultura 9000, which is only a touch heavier at 5.8kg. In fact, so light is the frame that it gave pro team Lampre-Merida a slight problem. ‘No matter what…

We are the lucky ones. Those of us in the Southern Hemisphere – Australia, to be exact – are sheltered from the brutal European off-season winters. Instead, we shed our layers and ship off to Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat and the City of Churches in South Australia in search of all-day rides and the opening of the professional season. This season, things warmed up with the Bay Crits before the domestic peloton headed inland to Ballarat for what should have been another scripted National Championships. A reinvigorated Jack Bobridge, however, made certain to tear up any pre-race plans concocted by Orica-GreedEdge and stole the show in what was described as the most impressive display ever seen on that course. In the women’s race, we witnessed a well-calculated display from the Orica…