Emails from the coach

Here are some updates that the coach has been sending out:

Hi Guys’

Well now that I have had a good sleep and a ride I feel much better. This place is unreal and the people are so friendly, I just cannot believe we are on the same planet. Kutztown is a very laid back Town in Penns State and the people are “different” but nice.

We have been adopted by a number of people and the team that are hosting us are just doing things for us that only good friends would normally do, so this is a very humbling experience so far for us all. I have made some very good contacts already and we will have a USA rider coming to Tassie Carnivals with us, I expect some more may follow.

There is a top US Pro Team staying around the corner and I hope to pop in and say hi today. The riders are out in the hills today, boys doing a 120km and the girls 80km, and they are Hills, not WA pimples.

I am meeting with a Canadian Team In Pittsburgh next week end and we have a top Brazilian Road Sprinter who wishes to race for us in NRS. So watch this space it could be very exciting. The Coach I am working with May-Britt is an Ex Norway rider and won an Olympic Medal has some great contacts in Europe as well as the USA so this will be great for our riders for the future.

Highlights or Funny Stories;

· Trying to convince the US Customs that we could not get all the bikes through in one pass through, they were so intense with us and we were like saying “chill out guys we will just walk back through and get some more bikes”, they were saying in the strongest US accent “ you must keep moving, you cannot go back, keep moving” “ but you cannot leave those boxes there” It was so funny, well now it is!!
· Seeing Deer for the 1st time on the side of a Highway.
· Nearly running over a Ground Hog out training.
· Our 1st training ride on the wrong side of the road, very strange.
· Having a $5 breakfast that could feed a family.
· Telling the Americans that $1 litre for fuel is OK! Well $4 a gallon.
· We got the OK to take a Shopping Trolley from a shop to take some gear back to our House and then to be pulled up by the US Cops, I did not have ID, thought I was off to jail hahahah for taking a trolley, they do get intense!


Anyway that will do for now, need some sleep.

1st race tomorrow, cant wait.


Cheers

Rick

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mini Report

· Did a good track session today with the guys and girls having a light hit out before tonight racing.
· This week’s Planning
Tuesday Track Session then racing
Wednesday – Hills Session [guys 120 girls 80km]
Thursday – Criterium [Brodie, Lara Track Racing]
Friday – Track Racing
Saturday 100km easy
Sunday – Union Vale Road Race [all except Michaela, Lara, Brodie, Angus?] They will ride Omnium Championships at T Town.
Monday – Bike Free Day


Will ,let you know about the 1st race

Cheers

Rick Lee
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Race Report 1
Pro-Am Trexlertown Velodrome

I have to say I have not seen better racing for many years and this is just the start, Super Tuesday Pro-Am kicked off our US Campaign with our riders showing that they are here to play!

I was very impressed with the way all our guys worked together to get the best results for the overall good of the team. To see 40 riders on the track at one time in the Pro Am Cat1/2 races was unreal, especially the Elimination which became a 37 lap event of the 333metre track. There were riders from all over the world including Bobby Lee the USA rider who is off to the Olympics. There are a number of Aussies here racing in addition to our young team.

The track outdoor complex is unreal, the racing format is well done and we will definitely bring home some ideas.

All riders and staff are still coming to terms with Jet Lag and the hot and humid conditions, sleep is a much sort after pass time.

The riders rode out to the Velodrome which is about 15km and then it was into action.

· Mitchell had his 1st track race ever and we put him in Cat 3 which had about 25 very classy riders, Mitchell was soon in action and broke clear after about 5 laps of the Tempo Race and went on to gain enough points to win his 1st ever track race. Mitch also ran 3rd in the Scratch race and finished 2nd Overall in the Omnium.
· Peter Johnstone, after a bout of the flu hit the track in great style, with unselfish work by his team mates, Thomo, Gus, Sam, Patty. Peter was given an awesome lead out over the last 4 laps to go head to head with Bobby Lee and a top class field to finish 2nd in the Scratch Race. Pete took 1st Place in the Win and Out and finished 2nd outright in the Omnium.
· Thomo finished a very gallant 4th in the Pro Am Elimination.
· Sam, Gus [J17], Patty worked bloody hard and made the racing. The Promoter was very happy with our riders and expressed his thanks and mazement at the skill, speed and tactics that our young guys displayed.
· Miffy Galloway raced a very mature night of racing. I must say I have not watched Miffy much up until this trip and I am very impressed with her maturity and ability on the bike. We named Miff as our Women’s Team Captain and she was a very good choice. Miff finished 2nd in the Elite Women Scratch Race, 2nd in the Elimination and 2nd outright in the Omnium. As well 4th in the Points Race after assisting Budget FL team mate and eventual winner Michaela Anderson.
· Michaela Anderson after a very shaking start to her campaign showed the class of a seasoned Pro to take out the Elite Women’s Points race after an initial solo break and then joined by 3 others including team mate Miffy Galloway. Michaela also finished 3rd in the Elite Women’s Omnium.
· Brodie Stewart showed class to finish 3rd in the Elite Women’s Elimination and also 5th outright in the Omnium.
· Lara Freiberg won our award for the 1st rider to hit the deck in the Scratch Race, Lara raced very well in all events.


We race a Criterium tomorrow night and then The USA Elite Omnium Championships Friday night, Junior Omnium Championship Sunday as well as some riders racing a USA Open at Union Valley...

Until next time

Regards




Rick Lee

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