From the coach

More updates from the coach. These are all available at www.cyclesportnews.com/aus

No ‘Grizzly Bear’ stops Team Budget FL winning at Union Vale!
Location: Union Vale , New York State

Two years ago this race was stopped due to the presence of a Grizzly Bear on the circuit, I kid you not!

Union Vale is approximately 250km from the USA/Canadian border and a 3 hour drive from Kutztown our base in the USA. The scenery was breathtaking,

We raced the boys in Cat 3 and Miff in Junior Women/Cat 4.

Women – Miff was in control from the start and never looked like not winning. Miff applied some pressure on one on of the many hills and split the bunch with a break of 5 riders moving away. These riders swapped off turns until the final assent up to the finish [2.5km at 10% at the bottom and levelling out]. Miff made her move about 1km from the summit and rode to a Solo victory winning by over 30 seconds – It was a very special moment for Miff winning her 1st ever bike race and as she said ‘ I had to travel to the USA to do this, it is very special”. I had the opportunity to follow this race in the Spares vehicle and this young lady has come a long way and has gained in confidence that I am sure will see her move onto bigger and better things.

Men – The plan was to send Gus Tobin in an early break, however a puncture and slow change by the spares put that out of the question so we had some attacks early from our boys, however it was the move by Thomo Richards that made the race, Thomo was in a 70km Solo break and the Team Budget FL boys did a fantastic job controlling the 100 plus bunch. In the final lap the bunch of solid chasing brought Thomo back and after Sam had given Mitchell Mulhern the “nod” with 10km to go, Mitch made the decisive move with Team Budget FL controlling. Thomo ‘sat in’ until the final assent up to the finish and with his team mate [Mitch] well clear he again attacked and rode clear to make it a 1st 2nd result. To see Team Budget FL riders crossing the line was fantastic and all looks good for the rest of the trip.

In closing this short report, the guys were treated very well at Union Vale by Officials and riders alike, being asked to pose for photos with riders after the race, just hope they don’t get big heads, well I am sure we can stop that [hahaha].

Ricks Highlights.

· Miff Galloway winning her 1st Road Race in her career.

· Driving over the might Hudson River with the crew.

· 1st 2nd result in our 1st USA Road Race.

Rick Lee

‘Cyclewest’

0413 867 440

lee57@optusnet.com.au

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Aussies Do Well at USA Omnium Champs

Written by Rick Lee, CycleWestcoach.com
Sunday, 29 June 2008

With a full line up of International Stars including World Omnium Champion Hayden Godfrey, USA Champion Bobby Lea, and riders from Columbia, Trinidad, Canada, and Italy we were set for a top night of World Class Cycling.
A huge crowd was on hand, a great commentator, and the atmosphere was something I have never experienced before.

Our riders were not at all overwhelmed by the Super Stars and took it right up to them. The night was ran as a Omnium and the 1st event was a 3 lap [1kilo] mass start, so 20 riders in each heat with 6 from each heat going into Omnium event.

Then there were Points Races, Scratch races, Eliminations and then the top 16 Money earners went into the “Stars Shoot Out”, where there was Primes for $200, $100, $50 called at will.

It was unreal, and we had Peter Johnstone, Thomo Richards, Patty [Penny] Lane in the thick of it. Thomo rode a great PS to finish 4th,, Patty 3rd in SR... But the real point to be made is that it was our guys who made the racing in the longer Enduro events.

I had a chat to Hayden Godfrey after the night and he was all praise for the style of racing that our young guys brought to TrexlerTown. The crowd really loved our style and were very vocal in appreciation.

The Women’s events boasted a top class International field with many Aussies taking part including Jessie McLean, Laura McCaughey to name two.

We rested Lara, and Brodie wasn’t feeling too well so I pulled her out ½ way through the program. Miff Galloway raced again at a top level and was placed in one of the SR.

Michaela Anderson is learning heaps from this racing and is starting to understand what talent she has. Her first 2 races were quite “average” and then she came out to win one of the SR to give herself 8 Omnium Points.

She also picked up ½ way Omnium points to finish with 11 Points to secure Equal 3rd in the USA Elite Omnium Championships.

Michaela and I were interviewed on US TV after her win and we both made the point that this is the best racing we have been part of.

Ricks highlights:
#Michaela Anderson being “off the back” in the PR to chase down the bunch – go around – Lead out Miff and then place 2nd in the sprint – Unreal.

#Gus Tobin’s ride in the Elimination to get down to the last 10. { to see Hayden Godfrey on young Gus wheel, was a picture]. I am so impressed with this young man!

#Thomo giving them heaps in the PR.
#Patty Lane 3rd in the SR – and loving it!

#Michaela winning SR.

#The Crowd response to anything our young riders did.

#The Commentator Quotes [Thomo was going for $100 prime and had it until this Power House Sprinter was about to nail him ‘I hope that Guy has his number pinned down as it is about to be blown off’ and “Peter Johnstone you’re so Fast”

#Being acknowledged by the race promoters by telling us how happy they are with the style of racing, all this is good for next time we come over.

We are off to Union Valley, about a 2 hour drive to take part in the Union Valley Open Race tomorrow. This will be our 1st road hit out, can’t wait. So its up early to hit the road [and the wrong side of the road].
Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )

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Aussie Johnstone Wins Trexlertown Criterium

Written by Rick Lee in Trexlertown (US)
Saturday, 28 June 2008

It keeps rolling for the Team Budget FL riders in USA with the boys racing in a 50km Criterium on the fast and picturesque Trexlertown Cycling facility in Pennsylvania.

With approximately 80 riders starting in the race it was easy to see that a break would be hard to maintain on the fast circuit, however this did not stop our guys giving it to them almost every 2nd lap.

Photo: Peter Johnstone..winning form Copyright Chelsie and Peninsula Cycling Club
Our riders took it in turn to attack the bunch should there be the slightest stall.

As Usual the attacking style of Thomo Richards was on display for all to see, this little guy has the heart of a Lion and his continual attacking style will I am sure give him a win here in USA soon. Mitchell Mulhern was also very attacking as was Patty [Penny] Lane.

Gus and Sam were brilliantly placed to be ready to assist the boys should a break go and a break did go with about ¼ of the race left, initially we had Mitchell, Thomo and Peter Johnstone in the break with Pete picking up the points in sprints which were held every 3 laps. The break included a US Pro and some other solid US riders.

Coming into the final lap Thomo attacked at the bell to put the pressure on the break. This gave Thomo a chance to take the last sprint but also put Pete in the prime position should the Thomo break come back. They only just reeled in Thomo and Pete unleashed his big finish to take the final sprint and the Criterium.

I must say after the win and Pete would be the 1st to admit that without the boys he would have found it tough to cover all the moves.

Earlier Miff Galloway and Michaela Anderson took part in the B Grade Criterium and without these 2 in the race it would have been pretty average affair. Miff and Michaela attacked continually only to be brought back by the” big guys” on “big gears”, Miff was given some awesome lead outs by Michaela and managed to place in 3 sprints which gave Miff 4th outright. A great display by the girls.

Then we headed over to the Velodrome to give Lara Freiberg and Brodie a hit out in the Future Stars Track Series. Both girls raced very well with Brodie only beaten in races by a young up and coming USA Junior male rider. The riders are placed in Grades and not by your gender in these races so it was a great experience. Brodie had 3 2nd placing’s with Lara 3rd in her final event. The girls were then placed in a 10km All in Points race and Lara raced what I would say is her best race ever. Brodie was the best placed female.

We will rest some riders tonight [Friday UCI International Series] in readiness for the Union Valley Road Race on Sunday.

The experience being gained by all riders and staff will be an asset for the future and the contacts being made in the US will be a real benefit for the Cyclewest Development Program, Team Budget Forklift and supporting sponsors would be proud of the way the kids are representing them on and off the bike.

The T Town Cycling Community has embraced this young team and the support given by the local cycling community is quite amazing.

I went for a training ride [very E1ish for them and E4ish for me] with the crew yesterday through some spectacular scenery and Miff Galloway summed it up well when she said to me “this is awesome this is what you live for” as we meandered through the quiet back roads of Kutztown.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )

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Team Budget Forklift Hits The Track..U.S. Style

Written by Rick Lee , Team Budget Forklifts
Saturday, 28 June 2008


I have to say I have not seen better racing for many years and this is just the start, Super Tuesday Pro-Am at Trexlertown Velodrome 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 Mulhern 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 Richards, Gus Tobin , Sam Genge, Patty {Penny] Lane. 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 amazement 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...