Perth Criterium Series, Meningitis Foundation Ride and so much more!!!

Last year I travelled with Genesys Wealth Advisers to Perth for the first time in my life, to take part in my first ever Smoke Free Perth Criterium Series. During this trip I took part in the inaugural Ride With a Pro Meningitis Ride, which was aimed at raising money for a superb charity doing amazing things and at the same time allowing cyclists to enjoy what they all love so much, a scenic ride along Perth gorgeous beaches, it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of.

I also had the great fortune to be able to visit Ian Wee's Perth Integrated Health Clinic (PIHC). Ian and his clinic offer a level of service like none i have ever experienced. Not only are his staff experienced, knowledgable and approachable but most importantly they are a group of fantastic people who are nothing but a pleasure to be around. Ian did amazing things for my physical condition in just 2 short visits last year. Only downfall is he is on the opposite side of our country! Otherwise Ian would see me every week!

This year I returned with Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling Team but with a different line-up. This year the team line-up would be; Current Australian Criterium Champion Anthony Giacoppo, last years series winner Alex Carver, Perth local Sam Davis and yours truly.

Andrew, Alex and myself arrived in Perth on Friday 10th February early in the morning and travelled to AJ house to build bikes and then head out for a nice stroll down the beach for 50kms followed by lunch on the wharf at Hillarys. Nice way to start the trip only bad part was the 35degree heat!

After heading back to our accommodation and having a shower we headed to a function held by Aspire 2 Wealth in conjunction with the Meningitis Centre to help raise funds for the charity as well as prepare the riders of the charity ride for the next days ride. It was a fantastic evening with Adam Selwood (West Coast AFL star player) joining us along with a large attendance of people all coming together for a great cause. Danny Green signed boxing gloves and a Genesys Jersey signed by last years team were both auctioned off as well as donations made.

As the evening drew to a close we started deciding on what we would do for dinner, after dinner we headed up into the Perth hills where we would stay the night in preparation for the next mornings charity Ride with a Pro event. In bed by mid-night and up by 6am off we went to a awesome Breakfast put on by DOME Mandaring, thanks to all there, fantastic service, great food and amazing coffee!

The event was broken up into 4 groups as we left in two minute intervals. The ride travelled up in the Perth hills down the Zig Zag decent and meeting back at DOME Mandaring for coffee and chat. A booming success the whole event was and a lot of it goes to the huge time and effort put in by Ian Wee and his PIHCyclingGroup. With lead and follow cars for all groups, photo opportunities for all riders, spare tubes and tyres carried in vehicles as well as water and food. Fantastic organisation and once again an absolute pleasure to be a part of for all of us at Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling Team. Meningitis Centre Charity is one I feel very strongly for and I ask all of you to at least visit the website or read up on the symptoms of the disease, being informed on it is the best step to prevention!

After the ride we headed back to Hilliary's where we would be staying for the remainder of our trip. For us the large part of the day would be spent watching tv relaxing in our apartment before heading off to stage 1 of the series in Osbourne Park. Results can be found by following the links provided. Results

Sunday morning was 8am start, we headed down the beach again for our ride which was followed by breakfast and coffee before heading back to the accommodation to relax before Stage 2 at Victoria Park, arguably the most difficult stage, making it all the more special a victory for new Genesys Wealth Advisers rider Sam Davis! More remarkable again was that the team finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the stage after AJ and Alex came off me at 200m to go to take a clean sweep in what was a race of perfection by all our guys. Results

Following the race we headed back to Hilliary's for quick showers and freshened up before heading to Kim's (sponsor and great friend of us all) place for a fantastic BBQ which he and his family put on for us. Amazing food and great company made for a stress free night of fun, relax and a barrel of laughs, nothing short of spectacular hospitality, we were all pumped for the following days racing.

Monday morning started like each other morning with a ride down the beach to roll the legs before breakfast, then we would head to PIHC to be given a full overhaul by Ian Wee and his staff, topped off with a rock tape session to have us all flying for stage 3. Our visit to PIHC included and foot massage and stretching, back scan and adjustment, neck alignment, rock tapping, back soft tissue massage and a special machine that needs to be seen to be believed that reduces lactic acid built up in your muscles. We were all so relaxed afterwards that when we got back to the apartment we all went to our corners and slept for 2+hrs!

Stage 3 found us at Leaderville which like the previous year drew a spectacular crowd and equally spectacular racing! Fast paced circuit got the better of me, as I feel after 20mins of racing... like last year Genesys Pro Cycling Team executed the finish perfectly and that resulted in a 1-2 finish by AJ and Alex. With Genesys Wealth Advisers having a VIP tent at the nights racing they couldn't have been more excited and as were we! We always like doing them proud, not only are they are sponsors but also our supporters and most importantly our friends! Results

After dinner at Sienna's we travelled back to Hilliary's to get some much needed rest, another mid-night came and passed us by as we arrived at the accommodation. Tuesday morning we would be doing a ride and then heading back to PIGC for another overhaul by Ian and his crew! The work they do for you there is incredible and Im jealous that AJ and Sam will have it at their fingertips all year round.

The final Stage was in Fremantle and is always an exciting race mainly because half the circuit has lights and half doesn't! lets just say it keeps you on your toes! The race was always going to be an aggressive one with AJ having the overall all but tied up and with the boys having won the first 3 stages there were a lot of teams still chasing their first pieces of success for the season. AJ was in the front of the race and finished 2nd in the stage to wrap the series up with two wins and two second places! amazing work mate! Alex finished 2nd in the bunch kick home and ended up 3rd overall in the series! terrific week by all the guys and another awesome trip to Perth! Results

But it wasn't over yet!!! Ian Wee through his remarkable contacts had got nearly all the participants from the charity ride together and we met them at Burger Edge at Waterford Plaza! Where they serve the best burgers ever! Fresh Healthy and Delicious! It was here that we farewelled all our perth friends and with that we also presented a few gifts to James (Aspire 2 Wealth), Ian (PIHC) and to all at Burger Edge I hope the signed plate lots great up on the wall! Lets do another next year!

Perth is done for another year, I can't wait to go back again soon, always a genuinely enjoyable and fulfilling trip!!!

Ciao a Tutti

Pat

Twitter: @shawry_07
@anthonygiacoppo
@alexcarver91
@sirsamuelmouse

National Criterium Championships 2012

Being Ballarat born and bred it was nothing short of amazing to see the huge turn out on Thursday night in the main street of my home town for the Australian Criterium Championship. What was more amazing was that i knew we (Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling Team) were going into the race with a real genuine chance of bringing home the jersey for 2012!

The race was always going to be aggressive with a lot of riders knowing their only chance was with a small escape group or even better a solo victory. My job for the night would be to follow these moves and make the best of any opportunity upfront while also leaving AJ (Anthony Giacoppo) in the bunch saving energy for his final sprint. It is always reassuring when you have ultimate confidence in your team mates that as long as you do your part that they can get the job done.

The pace was on almost immediately with Budget Forklifts riders clearly targeting the break aways and sprint points. Blair Windsor was the first to get a gap and i followed straight away, we formed a group of four off the front, they contested the first sprint as if it were the last, for me there was a bigger and much longer job at hand, so i just followed the wheels and tried to maintain the break, shortly after we were reeled in and before long the next group was off the front. Shaun McCarthy, Nic Sanderson and Darren Lapthorne found themselves away for a few laps before McCarthy went on the attack for more sprint points. He was shortly brought back.

picture courtesy of Shane Goss/licoricegallery

Zac Dempster was the one that made what seemed the big move of the night when he bridged across to myself and a Drapac rider, we were joint by Cupitt and the foundations were made for what could be a shock winning move, however co-operation wasn't at its best and the group split leaving Cupitt and yours truly away with 5 laps to go.

The local crowd erupted and created an atmosphere unparalleled at the championships, it gave me another set of legs and with great co-operation with Cupitt we drove on. At three laps to go it looked like we could almost steal the race, so I put the head down and laid it on the line, knowing I had AJ in the bunch.

Two laps from the finish and it was all she wrote for the break aways and now down to the sprinters, with the pace so hot in the final 5 laps it was hard for teams to get set up making it a frantic gallop to the line... Robbie hit out down the straight with half a lap to go and the crowd lit up, however it wouldn't be a dream start to 2012 for Robbie, instead it would be an amazing show of power from Genesys Wealth Advisers rider Anthony Giacoppo coming from 5 lengths off the leaders 200m out and overtaking them all in a sprint of sheer perfection!

picture courtesy of Shane Goss/licoricegallery

"WOW! Aussie Champ! Green and Gold kit for the year!"
AJ speaking about his first thoughts after crossing the line

"I was nervous before the start, I think more so because I thought my form was right to be able to win. Especially knowing that the whole team was behind me, which drives you and makes you stronger mentally and physically"
AJ talking about his sensations leading into the race

"I didn't want to let them down after the boys (and staff) had all declared their faith in me before the start"
Anthony Giacoppo

Lets hope that this is just the beginning of a sensational season ahead for both AJ and Genesys Wealth Advisers as they try to go three years running as Team Champions in the NRS!

Ciao a tutti

twitter: shawry_07

Tour of Toowoomba!

Even with it considered by many of the riders in the NRS to be the best ran event on the Calendar the 'FKG Tour of Toowoomba' remains a tier 2 category event on the NRS Rankings system, something I find difficult to understand.

 OVERALL TEAM WINNERS - GENESYS WELTH ADVISERS


The Tour kicked off in 2010 and drew a great field for its first year, Genesys Wealth Advisers were present as well as the freshly selected U/19 Junior Worlds Team who were preparing to head to Europe to continue their preparations for the up coming Worlds Championships in Italy.

A total of 88 riders began the tour in 2010 with 55 completing the tour which finished with a town criterium, incorporated with a local festival which drew a modest crowd. The race had radio and television news crews at the finale of every stage, making sure that teams and sponsors were given great exposure, not to mention an unprecedented 20 minute coverage on SBS cycling central, which no other NRS event can lay claim to.

           Phil Anderson was closely involved with the race in 2011.                  


Results of the 2010 Edition can be found by following the link below;

http://www.touroftoowoomba.com/index.php/2010results

When I asked Dale Parker (2nd Overall Tour of Toowoomba 2010), this is what he had to say;


"It was an awesome event, great organisation, top stages, super tough hill top finish and a fast tough crit to finish the tour off!"


"really nice race, got a great feel about it!"

The sidewinds play havoc in yet another aggressively ridden stage of the 2011 Tour!

In 2011 the 'FKG Tour of Toowoomba' returned in the same professional manner it did the previous year. Glass sign on board one of the riders favourites, not to mention the commentary and the excellent effort by organisers to run an event considering the devastating floods that had smashed through the area less than 6 months earlier.

Calvin Watson 3rd Overall Tour of Toowoomba 2011 had this to say about the event;


"A mixed terrain race, which requires a rider to be well rounded in his strengths and allows different riders to show their strengths"


"the organisers deliver an enjoyable and safe event, one that is always highly anticipated by the riders!"


Again the tour got amazing time allocation and unrivalled footage of the race on SBS Cycling Central. All which comes at a cost to the event organisers. Luckily for the tour it has a superb organiser in John Osbourne and a long list of terrific sponsors of whom all are represented somewhat at the event.

Rhys Gillett 2nd place in the hill top finish stage in 2011 and 6th on GC added;


"It's the best race on the NRS calendar. The variety of stages allows many different riders a chance to compete for the overall honours"


"In 2012 there will be 4 days of racing which will make an already great race even better!"

Rhys Gillett 2nd place, just nudged out by yours truly with Alex Clements just tailed off third.

The 2011 event had 119 starters, giving a 35% increase on its previous years entrants. With an amazing hilltop finish which average over 18% for 2.5kms there were a few withdrawals, 75 riders completed the tour which again finished in town with a criterium in front of a great vocal crowd who were back for more after being impressed in 2010.

Nathan Haas, Garmin-Cervelo Pro, 2011 NRS champion and 4th Overall in 2011 Tour of Toowoomba commented;


"This is one of the most prestigious races to win in Australia now, the incredible stages including the hardest climb in both 2010 NRS series and 2011 NRS series!"


"I would describe the tour as more of a festival of cycling now that is full of exciting atmosphere, especially at the finale in the City of Toowoomba!"


"The tour and its organisers have earnt the right to be a tier 1 ranked NRS event and with that the NRS should reward it with its correct ranking!"

Nathan Haas wears the Sprint Leaders Jersey

Results of the 2011 Edition can be found by following the link below;

http://www.touroftoowoomba.com/index.php/results2011/results2011stage1

In 2012 the race will include a teams time trial, showing that the event is evolving as it grows each year, it is also expanding to a four-day tour in 2012, all positive signs for an already amazing event. Not to mention that late in 2011 the Toowoomba Cycling Club incorporated with the Toowoomba City Council unveiled a purpose built criterium circuit.

Jay Bourke 5th place Stage 2 Hill Top Finish in 2011 Edition said;


"It's fully supported by the local community, no better evidence of this than at the final criterium which has an awesome carnival like atmosphere!"


"For a rider, it is this type of atmosphere which makes you perform your best" 

The Tour of Toowoomba is definitely one of the most enjoyable events i have had the chance to race in Australia and being as well organised as it is and with its great exposure through its SBS Cycling Central coverage, Cyclingnews articles and results posting, television,radio and newspaper interviews daily and leading up to the event and its major sponsors present each year for the jersey presentations, I can't see why it would be anything but a tier 1 category event on the NRS Calendar.

My mind is all but made up... I believe the tour has ticked all the boxes, but i put it to you guys and girls out there... vote on the poll for what category you believe it should have, who knows maybe you will agree with me!

The Month Ahead: JANUARY

This will be a key feature on my blog for this next year, i will update each month to give you an insight into what i will be up to for the month ahead...


January 1st: I will meet the whole 2012 list of riders for Genesys Wealth Advisers for the first time, I was unable to make the training camp in December so I am excited about meeting both my team mates from last year with who I shared so much success and experiences with as well as the new riders who have been added to our roster... All who i believe will succeed greatly in the 2012 season.


January 5th: Australian Criterium Championships, looking forward to this race, last year i was a fair bit underdone so the best i could do for the team was ride the front to help bring back the break before leaving it to AJ and Joel to finish it off, this year i hope to play a much bigger part in the race.


January 8th: Australian Road Championships, Always a very demanding race and you need to be in your best form to play part in this one. Like the crit i was underdone for this, put myself in the move to represent the team up front but came up a bit short after a broken preseason campaign... This year I'm in much better condition and hope to be involved in the front of the race similar to last year but this year have the legs to be around when it really matters.


January 13th-15th: Myself and a few of the Genesys boys are heading to Adelaide pre-Tour Down Under to be involved in a few things with our major sponsor Genesys Wealth Advisers, including a charity ride (something which we do several times during the year), always a good day out!


January 19th-24th- NZ Cycle Classic preparation, Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling Team will travel to NZ 5 days early to have a look over the course as the course has changed from previous years and after Nathan 'hat-trick' Earle won 3 straight stages in the 2011 edition there will be pressure on us to live up to those expectations. 


January 25th-29th- 5 stage NZ Cycle Classic begins with a short 7.1km undulating time trial which will guarantee time gaps.
Stage 2: 143km road stage
Stage 3: 163.5km road stage
Stage 4: 111km road stage
Stage 5: 111km road stage
All stages offer decent sections of difficult terrain that will open the race up, there is an unprecedented level of teams going to this U.C.I. classed event and we as a team will be looking to continue where we finished off in 2011. Going to be a hotly contested event and one I'm looking forward to.
For more information on the event visit the official race website at: 




NZ CYCLE TOUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE
http://www.cycletournz.com/mens/default.html


Here you can also find an article released just a few weeks ago about the foreign contingent taking part in the event.


There is my January campaign, feel free to comment or ask questions about anything related...


ciao a tutti


PS


twitter: shawry_07

First Blog

First Blog - before the real blogging begins!

Well the saying goes - "there is a first for everything" and here is another, my first blog... hopefully I will get better at them and they may even become readable and interesting by the years end!

I'm putting it to you guys and girls out there that will be reading my blog in 2012 to tell me some of the things you would like to hear about... I will try fulfil requests, I will by years end have interviewed all the riders from Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling Team as well as some of my other favourite riders in Australia, past and present!

So get your requests in, maybe you have a question about training? diet? the team and how it works.... whatever it is I will attempt to answer it... looking forward to this!

Coming soon to this page will be my race calendar for January also stay tuned for the first interview with one of Genesys newest recruits!


Ciao a tutti

PS
twitter ; @shawry_07