Bags packed, bikes in box and yet another early start – just your standard travel day as a cyclist of the Huon Salmon – Genesys Wealth Advisors Pro Cycling Team, destination this time, Adelaide, SA. Meeting up with my fellow Victorian Teammates Jack Haig (current NRS Leader) & Pat Shaw (Team Captain) at the airport, we enjoyed a Qantas Club Breakfast before boarding our plane. Upon arrival, Jack, Pat and I spent an hour in the café waiting for Jack Beckinsale & Aaron Donnelly to arrive before we were all collected by our Team Soiguer Neil Walker and transported to our accommodation for the week. After building our bikes, we rode the course which would be used for Friday’s stage 1 TTT and spent the rest of the afternoon unwinding at the accommodation. It’s always nice to roll out the legs after a day of travel, plus it’s a good time to catch up with your teammates who live and train in different places around the country. The day before stage 1, was not a good day for me. I woke up feeling a little sick and lost my appetite. Despite this, I still participated in the team’s training ride, hoping that I would come good. It wasn’t until the end of the ride when the boys sat down at the Café to eat lunch and I was in the bathroom throwing up my breakfast. It wasn’t fun and I wasn’t happy, especially the day before stage 1. Feeling sick for the rest of the afternoon and throwing up once more, I finally kept down my dinner and was hoping I’d be feeling better in the morning. The morning of stage 1 was here and thankfully I was feeling good. Not 100% but feeling much better than yesterday. Our team captain Pat Shaw had been struggling with illness and wasn’t feeling good on the morning of stage 1, he didn’t start the race, flying back home to be with his family in the afternoon. Down to 7 riders, we all encouraged each other throughout the race and gave it our all. The 20km course was 80% flat/downhill with a few short but challenging climbs testing the legs of all teams. We set a fast tempo, led by our strongest TT riders Jack Haig & Aaron Donnelly.Approaching the finish, our time was good but not good enough, finishing in 3rd place in a time of 25 minutes, an average speed of 50km’s/hr. Although it was not the result we wanted, it was not disgraceful. Our heads were kept high and we all focused our attention onto Stage 2’s 158km Road Race. Before the start of the road race, we were quite relaxed due to an unusual late start time of 1:30pm. Not knowing what tactics to expect from the other teams, we were told to keep a watchful eye on the main contenders but at the same time, take a back seat for the first of three 52.7km laps. Team Budget were keen to disrupt the current overall leaders (Team Euride) in the early stages of the race but they showed composer to control the attacks and the pace-making. A number of breaks went clear and we were present in them all. The course featured tough rolling hills, fast flats and 2 dirt road sections to add a little change to our normal race circuits. With the support of our staff, we were able to take on some Torq nutrition products during the race, keeping our bodies fuelled throughout the fatiguing stage. Although the hills were hard and split the field, our Avanti Road Bikes with SRAM components and ZIPP wheels guided us through the hills which for me, feels like I'm cheating riding a bike that fast! The bunch remained together by the start of the final lap with no breakaway being able to stay clear. 30km’s to go, our team was all near the front and Jack Haig was looking to pounce on the steep climbs 15km’s from the finish. Approaching the climbs, Team Euride were still in control but the attacks soon begun with numerous surges creating small gaps throughout the bunch. A select group of around 8 riders went clear containing Jack and although only 30 seconds up the road, it would be enough to stay away going over the dirt sections approaching 5km’s to go. Sam Davis, Aaron Donnelly, Tom Robinson and I were positioned well in what was left of the front group which had reduced from 105 to 35 riders. Making it over the short but steep dirt road climbs, we were trying to preserve our Team’s GC position in 3rd which is recorded by the team’s first 3 riders to cross the line each stage. Near the end of the dirt section with only 5km’s to go, Jack got a rear flat and had to wait for a spare wheel, however Sam was first on the scene to give him a wheel and along with the team car, put him back in the bunch with only 1km to go! At the finish line, 3 riders stayed clear and the bunch was sprinting for 4th. It was a dangerous sprint with a nasty crash at 800m to go whilst travelling 55-60km’s/hr. I was up there but preferably wanted to finish the stage with all my skin still intact so I rolled in with the group and my teammates Jack, Aaron & Tom, in the front group of about 30 riders. It wasn’t the result we wanted but some bad luck for Jack in the last 5km’s ruined our chances of a win. Thankfully, everyone made it through the stage in one piece, turning our concentration on recovering for the final stage the following day. The final day saw 22 laps of a 3.7km street circuit take place with Team Euride once again controlling the pace and showing their dominance. The plan for the day was to get Jack Beckinsale into a break but if it came back for a bunch sprint, the boys would try and lead me out for the finish. It was a fast circuit with an uphill sprint and a very open road with 1km to go. Nothing was getting away despite the tireless efforts from Budget forklifts. Aaron and Jack tried to get away but in the end, a bunch sprint was certain. It’s a great feeling being placed behind your teammates who are sacrificing themselves for another rider and that’s something Huon – Genesys does so well, teamwork! The boys took up the pace with 2 laps to go but were challenged by the lead-out trains of other teams. With the pace being so high and the finish so wide, it was easy to get swamped and boxed in. At times, our 5 man lead-out was pushed back into the bunch but the boys tried to hold their ground at the front as best they could. Approaching the finish, no single team had control with at least 20-30 riders fighting it out at the head of the bunch. I was too far back, despite Jack Haig trying to move me up to the front with 800m to go, but it was messy. Crazy man Jack Beckinsale found the right wheel however and placed 3rd across the line to step onto the podium for the boys whilst I rolled in for 6th. An end to the 4th NRS Tour for the year, we finished 3rd on Teams GC, 3rd in stage 1 TTT & 3rd with Jack on the final stage. I finished 9th on GC and Jack Haig was 10th, picking up 1 point towards his current NRS Individual Series Lead. With some great success from the boys in Japan, they return to Australia to join us for the next NRS race for the year in NSW. Following that, I join 5 other teammates and head to Malaysia to race a 5 day Tour over there. It will be an exciting month ahead for our team and we hope to continue the fantastic start to the year. Big thank you to Diadora Australia for your support with Shoes and to all of the Team's sponsors who support and help us to retain our number 1 National Ranking. To my coach Matt Wallace, Mum & Dad, brother & family girlfriend Lucy, I appreciate your continued support to chase my dreams. Keep posted for my next blog report and enjoy your riding. Thanks, Brenton.

Victorian Country Road Championships

A cold but fine morning in Harcourt greeted riders prior to the start of the Victorian Country Road Championships. A tough 112km road course provided a mix of rolling hills and fast flats with short but steep climbs providing all riders with a chance at victory. On the start line, there were a number of notable riders from various national road series teams, but we were also representing our country clubs, fighting to take home the state title. During the warm up, I felt motivated and my legs were good. To add to any pre-race pressure, I was wearing number 1, I needed a good result and when we raced this exact same course in the 2011 state champs, I won – so, no pressure at all, right? When racing started, a few small attacks looked dangerous but it wasn’t until the 20km mark that a group of 6-8 riders formed out in front after surging clear of the main bunch through numerous 1-2 man attacks. With my Huon – Genesys teammate Pat Shaw in the break, I was taking a back seat covering moves and waiting for the ‘fireworks’ to start once we reached the toughest section of the course – a steep but short climb named the ‘Turd-burg’. A few riders kept the main group moving and this reduced the gap to the leaders before the decisive climb. The break had 40seconds when we hit the bottom and without hesitation, the pace was lifted by Budget Forklifts Shaun McCarthy, then followed Charter Mason’s Sam Crome and I was sitting comfortably in third. The pace was too much for some and by the time we got halfway up the climb, we were down to 6 riders. 200m to the top and Sam Crome surged hard and I was the only one to follow. We joined the breakaway just as we crested the climb and soon after, began swapping off to continue the pace making. With 1 lap down and 1 lap to go, the main bunch (or what was left of it) was gaining ground on us and they soon re-gained contact with our lead group of 8-10 riders making the front bunch a total of 20-25 riders. Attacks dominated the middle part of the race with many more small moves trying to go clear. I tried to up the tempo on one of the climbs but was brought back soon after and for me, it seemed that my number 1 way like a magnet to everyone else. A couple of 1 & 2 rider attack once again broke clear in a 6man break which was led by my teammate Pat Shaw who was riding well to make yet another break. Both Charter Mason riders Matt Clark and Sam Crome missed the move and along with 1-2 other riders, they held a solid tempo to bring the break back. With 30km’s to go, the lead group had an advantage of 1min 40seconds, but the sharp hills scattered throughout the course provided the perfect opportunity for our chasing bunch to splinter to bits. Matt Clark lifted the tempo on the challenging hills before we reached the locally known ‘Turd Burger’ climb were the race winning move was made. The second group on the road consisted of Shaun McCarthy, Sam Crome, Jason Lowndes (Torq), Stephan Fairless, Matt Clark and I, trailing the lead group by 40 seconds. A few small attacks tested the legs before Clark made his move and went solo to bridge the gap. I crossed the gap soon after but Matt and I were soon reeled back in by the four chasers. Matt surged again towards the base of the climb and I was the only one to follow him. I knew I had to get across to the break and with the leaders in reaching distance, I took the last turn to close the gap and place Matt and I in the front group, only 15km’s after we trailed them by 1min 40. Over the climb, only the strongest were left with Pat Shaw and I representing Huon-Genesys, VIS rider Tom Hamilton, Charter Mason’s Matt Clark and well-known cycling hard-man Trent Stevenson making up the lead group with only 12km’s left to race. 8km’s to go; Matt Clark attacked and tried to shake us off his wheel with only Trent and I being able to follow him. 5km’s to go; it was just the three of us watching each other playing cat & mouse all the way to the line. Matt attacked numerous times but I covered all of them. Both Trent and Matt knew I was the fastest sprinter and didn’t want to take me to the line with them. Approaching the finish, we were all still together. Matt kicked first and I slowly followed, waited for Trent to go and timed my run to perfection taking the State Title, repeating my victory in 2011. It was a hard race and I had earned every bit of it, a true representation of the hard work I have done throughout my training and it goes to show that it pays off! I’m now preparing to travel over to Adelaide where I’ll join my Huon Salmon – Genesys Wealth Advisors Cycling teammates for the National Road Series Tour of Adelaide. It will be my first NRS race this year so I hope I can kick start my NRS season off on a good note with the team. I’d like to say a big thanks to our sponsors; Huon Salmon, Genesys Wealth Advisors, Praties, Champion System, Avanti, SRAM, Torq Nutrition, Zipp, Giro, Addidas, Perth Intergrated Health, Aussie Butt Cream and Rock Tape for their continued support. Thanks also to Diadora Australia for their support with cycling shoes and clothing (worn by Cadel Evans & Simon Clarke), your products are simply awesome! To my coach Matt Wallace, my whole family, friends and girlfriend Lucy, thank you very much for your encouragement and backing throughout my busy training schedule. Keep posted for the team’s Tour of Adelaide performances; I look forward to the upcoming races on the calendar and I’m excited to learn from the experience’s I will gain from them. Thanks Brenton

CareFlight Base 2 Base 250km Fundraising Ride

Leading up to the ride this year I thought I wouldn’t be able to take part, due to the Tour of Malaysia which was taking place during the scheduled event date. 2 weeks out however, Malaysia was postponed and I was thrilled to travel up to QLD and support CareFlight (Helicopter Rescue Service) who saved my life in 2011. Starting at the Toowoomba CareFlight Hanger, riders set off on a 250km route riding through the Lockyer valley heading for our destination of Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Sponsors play a big part in any cyclists career and today, I knew that thanks to Diadora Asutralia, I was wearing the most comfortable cycling shoes, accompanied by Champion System Cycling Clothing, and my Avanti Corsa DR road bike which all ensured my feet, arse and body would be looked after for the next 8-9hrs. With a 5am start, lights were needed for the first couple of hours and with some added light rain, the first descent from Toowoomba down Flagstaff hill was a little slippery. Thankfully everyone bar the duo on 1 of the 2 tandems arrived safely down the challenging descent. Piloted by former Super Bike GP Rider Troy Bayliss and well-known Paralympic rider Bryce Lindores on the back, they came off on one of the sharp corners but escaped the crash safely into the grass with the tidy skills from Troy leading the way. Back on the road, it was nice to ride in the bunch and meet new people, each with a different story about how they became involved. A highlight would have been talking to the VIP’s on the ride this year, Robbie McEwan, Troy Bayliss, Matt Rogers and Courtney Atkinson who all were welcoming to a conversation or two. Along with the sporting stars, the Gold Coast Sun’s and Gold Coast Titans CEO’s joined us, Cold Rock Ice Cream QLD’s Owner and Mantra Hotel’s Boss who all added to the profile of the event. We made good time all the way too our lunch stop in Beaudesert, 180km’s into the ride. Being greeted by one of the CareFlight Training helicopters was a great sight too and this spurred us all on towards Lunch. After lunch, 75km’s remained and despite feeling pretty bloated from the Subway, Fruit Cake and Torq Nutrition Bars which I inhaled at the lunch stop, I pushed on through these difficult times, haha. Everyone on this years’ ride (40 in total) were either riding for the great cause to raise much needed funds for this not-for-profit service OR riding as a past patient to support the cause who saved our lives (5 of us in total). As Robbie McEwan told us before the ride, It was like a 250km Team challenge with everyone supporting each other the whole way, “starting as 1 and finishing as 1”. I might have been bloated but others were hurting in the legs. With thanks to a few of my fellow NRS riders, we made sure all riders feeling the ‘pinch’ were comforted and supported at all times. It also gave us some resistance training on the climbs which was also a good workout. We were like the Base 2 Base domestiques, riding from bunch to support car with banana’s, gels, fresh bottles and bars which for us was good practice and for everyone else, good service! With the finish in sight, we briefly stopped and thanked all of our support crew and the Police who kept us safe the whole day. 8hrs was a big day in the saddle but for a worthy cause like CareFlight who saves lives every day, we’d all do it again! A total of $80,000 was raised and we couldn’t have been anymore delighted with that achievement. A big thanks to Fiona MacAnally - organiser of this event, Kerry Stubbs – ride director, the QLD police, Brad Solomon – one of CareFlight’s Paramedics and an avid cyclist, plus the whole CareFlight team who save lives every day. Moving forward, next race for me is the 2013 Victorian Road Championships where in the past, I have been very successful. Following this, I fly to Adelaide to ride the NRS Tour of Adelaide with my Huon Salmon – Genesys Wealth Advisors Pro Cycling Teammates. Stay tuned for my next blog report, cheers Brenton.

Tour of the South West

When you think of ‘South West Victoria’, most would imagine the conditions being very cold, wet and windy, but thankfully for this year’s Tour of the South West it was only the super strong winds that challenged all riders. Based around the historic town of Warrnambool, the two day, three stage tour attracts not only the elite level races, but local club riders from across the state. With 412 riders across 9 categories, the fields were hotly contested to say the least. This race would be my first major hit-out after I had a very lucky escape from a training ride crash, hitting a logging truck head on at a reasonable speed only four weeks ago. I was keen to test myself against some in-form riders and see how my body would react to a tough weekend of racing. The long five hour drive to Warrnambool was what an epic as a five hour bike ride would be – solid! A short roll in the evening took us around the road race circuit which included exposed small roads, short punchy climbs and dead flats. I raced this event last year, so I knew what I had to prepare for, but it’s always good to memorise every single part of the course which can assist your tactics during the race. Without any of my Huon-Genesys teammates this weekend, I was racing solo against 105 other A Grade riders in their respective teams. There are many advantages to having teammates but you can learn a lot from racing on your own and this weekend I was looking forward to that challenge. Stage one’s 102km road race on Saturday morning saw the field split from the start with super windy conditions causing massive gaps in the field on the first lap of a 17 kilometre circuit. I knew that position was everything so I made sure I rode in a great position all day, not dropping back behind 10th wheel at any stage in the race. I also did a fair bit of work too as it was easier to roll turns on the front of the bunch then fight for position in the gutter 10-20 wheels back. By lap four of the six lap race, the field had established into one front group of about 20 with many small moves only lasting a few kilometres. My Torq nutrition was spot on for the day and this was one of the reasons why I finished in the front group and didn’t fatigue in the harsh conditions. A handful of Torq gels, energy drinks and bars kept my body functioning throughout the race and I cannot speak more highly of their products. Approaching the finish, it wasn’t until the final five kilometre’s that four riders rode clear of the bunch, slipping away so easily. I tried to follow but couldn’t quite reach the group, slipping back to the bunch and rolling turns to chase down the lead riders. Only two riders, Eric Sheppard (Search2Retain) & James Butler (Target Trek) stayed away from the bunch in the end with 18 seconds the time difference. I was sprinting for third but got chopped in the run to the line, pushed into the gutter losing momentum. I regained my line and set sight of the finish but fell short to a fast finishing Alex Smyth (Satalyst-Giant Racing) who claimed third. I was disappointed not to make the podium but relieved to finish so well in what was a very hard race. That afternoon, riders set off at 20 second intervals to endure 12km’s of pain during stage two’s Individual Time Trial. With the wind still very strong, some riders opted to abandon their rear disc wheel but I decided to run a Zipp 101 front & keep my Zipp Disc which handled the conditions perfectly. I’m not the greatest TT rider over 15km’s, but I can post a solid time in a short stage like this one, however I was uncertain of what time I would post against the clock. My warm up was briefly interrupted by a minor brake mechanical 30mins prior to the start, but I was lucky to have Team Sieght Mechanic Lewis Kerr on the job doing what he does best to save my afternoon. Charging down the road, I tried to get as comfortable and aerodynamic as I could on my first ride on last year’s Malvern Star Genesys Team TT Rig. I had my set up close to what I had done previously so it was up to the legs to do the talking. Passing a few riders, I felt good but knew it wasn’t going to be my best performance. The wind was super strong, there was only one tailwind section and the final climb at 3km’s to go was into a block head wind. With the finish in sight, I was set to post a respectable time of 16mins; 57seconds, 11th place and holding 5th place on the general classification after day one. An organised Tour buffet filled with delicious fresh pasta dishes at the Lady Bay Resort saw many cyclists take the opportunity to unwind with each other and enjoy some footage and photos from the days racing. It was a great day of racing and I was happy with my results only a few weeks after my last accident. By Sunday some early morning rain saw the first couple of grades race the stage 3 criterium in wet conditions however by mid-morning, all grades were greeted with dry roads and light winds. The circuit was located on the Hopkins River precinct with a short but fast finish and a sharp 250m climb to hurt the legs of many at the start. My legs were feeling fresh after the previous day of racing and I knew that if I tactically rode a smart race at the front, I’d be in with a chance come the finish. Sticking to my race plan, I rode right near the front all day watching the moves, creating a few myself and doing some work to keep the pace high at times and most importantly stay out of trouble. The race saw a few breaks establish but nothing was able to go clear and stay away. The final two laps saw the South Australian and Chater Mason teams bring their riders to the front setting the pace for their sprinters George Tansley and Shannon Johnson. A powerful surge by Jason Spencer (Charter Mason) on the final lap over the climb strung the field out with 800m to go. Shannon Johnson was placed perfectly in second position, followed closely by George and myself over the climb. Shannon took the opportunity to dive into the final corner and take the win ahead of George Tansley and I rounded out the podium. I placed 5th on the overall General Classification and my podium in stage 3 secured the Sprint King Jersey. It’s fair to say I was content with my weekend. Definitely plenty of room for improvement but that’s what I love about this sport. From here, I’m really looking forward to joining my Huon-Genesys Teammates in the NRS Tour of Adelaide which is in three weeks’ time. Following this there a number of local state races and club tours before we finally get to race the Tour of Malaysia on the 26-30th June. I will also be taking part in this year’s CareFlight Base to Base Fundraising Ride which involves riding 240km from CareFlight’s Toowoomba Base to the Gold Coast some several hours later. We are lucky to be joined on the ride by several high profile sports stars and celebrities with Robbie McEwan, Troy Bayliss and some Gold Coast Suns players to name a few. CareFlight saved my life in 2011 when I had a serious cycling accident and I wouldn’t be here today if they didn’t come to my rescue. I’d really appreciate it if you supported my fundraising page (below) and support a worthy cause which saves the lives of many every day. http://www.everydayhero.com.au/brenton_jones I would like to thank all the people who have made an effort to support me both on and off the bike in recent times, I wouldn’t be able to come back from crashes so quickly and return to doing what I love without the support you provide. I’m looking forward to continuing the success this year and gaining valuable experience from our upcoming international racing. Stay tuned for more of my blogs, Thanks Brenton.

2013 Oceania Road Championships

The first of many major races for 2013 began in Canberra – the well-known cycling capital city, where the Oceania Road Championships took place. When I arrived in Canberra, it was great to catch up with my teammates and share our numerous training stories from home environments. Our team routines around racing are quite simple, a team training ride in the morning generally followed by the coffee shop, some recovery time, lunch and an afternoon spent checking bikes, watching TV, writing blogs or sending emails. Following that, a team dinner and some more free-time completes a typical day in the lead up to a race for the Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisors Professional Cycling Team. The team environment in the days prior to this race was very relaxing, with most members of the team spending a lot of time watching TV (Melbourne F1 Grand Prix) or eating food to load up on carbohydrates. I find this environment the best because it takes the mind off the big race and you get enjoy your social time with your teammates a lot more. For the Oceania Championships only 9 riders would be representing Huon-Genesys as 6 members of the team were competing in Taiwan. For this event, our support team consisted Kane Walker – our teammate (not riding this event) & team chef, Neil Walker – passionate photographer & Team Manager for the weekend, Damo Harris – experienced mechanic and Team Director for the weekend as well as Campbell Flakemore and Ben Dyball’s supportive parents who assisted in the feed zone. It’s important to have a strong support team to enable the riders to relax as much as possible saving the energy for when they will need it most. A few days went by so quickly that before we knew it, the race was here. The scheduled start time was 12:30pm which is a little later than usual so we had a few more hours to relax and load up on last minute carbohydrates before the tough race ahead, a 160 kilometre road race through the hills surrounding Canberra, consisting of a 110km ‘large’ loop before six smaller loops. Travelling out to the start location, south of Canberra, the wind was noticeably strong and this was going to make a significant impact to the tactics within the first 20km’s. After good warm up roll, rider sign on, fresh drink bottles and some Torq Nutrition products, we were ready to race. In the first 5km’s the pace was high but attacks were controlled very early on. The rolling hills approached us fast and soon enough, we were riding the ‘roller coaster’ like roads the whole race. These short but sharp hills split the field with an early break establishing after 10km’s, containing some pre-race favourites and our very own Campbell Flakemore. Many riders tried to get away and bridge the gap but it wasn’t until the McDonald ranges climb that the tempo increased and small groups were formed. In a chasing group, Jono Lovelock & Alex Clements represented Huon-Genesys while back in the main field a couple of minutes down were my teammates and I, Jack Haig, Ben Dyball & Jack Beckinsale. Being the 3rd group on the road behind the leading breakaway and the chasing group, we needed to bring it back to give our stronger climbers the chance of a result. We all came to the front and the colours of the orange & blue lead the charge to chase down the leading groups in front. By the feed zone at the 75km mark we had chased down and brought back the second group on the road, setting the boys up to attack on the 7% 2.5km climb right after the feed zone. The pace on the climb was too much for Jack B & I, but we had done what we could to give the boys the best chance come the finish. With the big lap complete, the race entered the national park for 6 x 9km laps of a closed circuit. Cambpell Flakemore was out in the leading break with Alex Clements, Jack Haig, Ben Dyball and Jono Lovelock forming up to chase down the leading 6 riders. Unfortunately Campbell wasn’t feeling 100% and was dropped leaving Alex, Jack & Ben to lead the Huon-Genesys chase. Orica-Green Edge Pro Rider Cameron Meyer & Jayco World Tour Academy Rider Damien Howson showed everyone their class out in front to take the U23 & Elite titles to finish 1-2 for the race respectively. The boys couldn’t quite bring back the leaders finishing in 6th & 7th overall with Ben finishing 4th in the elite category and Jack finishing 3rd in the U23 category. On the start line, 100 Elite & U23 riders started the race and with only 24 finishers, it goes to show how hard a day it was in the saddle. From here, we all re-group at the first couple of NRS events of the year with half of the team racing the Tour of Perth – 1st NRS event of the year and the Battle of the Border – 2nd NRS event of the year. Until then and in between these races, we train hard, recover well and compete at various club and state competitions to sharpen our form for the important National Road Series Events. Our other important races are in Asia with the team competing in the Tour of Borneo, Tour of Malaysia and Tour of Japan. I’ve raced Mountain Bikes overseas, but never my road bike, so I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to race the Tour of Malaysia in May and am looking forward to the team coming home with some success. Thank you to our team staff, support crew and all of our sponsors who support the team, please make sure you support their products and visit their web pages. Thanks also to Diadora Australia for their support with clothing and shoes, I love wearing the bright and comfortable Jet Racer cycling shoes in the peloton. Last but not least, my family, girlfriend, friends and coach for your support too. I’m sure that if I continue in the right direction, I can achieve some good results this year with the team. Keep posted for my next blog report and enjoy your cycling in the meantime! Cheers Brenton

Australian Open Road Championships 2013

In 2013, riders and spectators were received cooler conditions and three new courses which mixed up the norm of the Australian Open Road Cycling Championships. Over 5 days, National Champions would be crowned in the various disciplines of Time-Trial, Criterium & Road Racing. Representing the Huon Salmon - Genesys Weath Advisors Pro Cycling Team, I was pleased to re-visit the Ballarat district in the hope of achieving success amongst our team who were well represented in the U23 Category.

Wednesday saw the ‘aero-looking’ Time-Trial rider’s speed through the streets of Ballarat to race against the clock and see who would be crowned Australia’s fastest for another year. In the U23 category, my Huon-Genesys teammates, Campbell Flakemore, Jack Haig, Alex Clements and Aaron Donnelly displayed enormous talent to finish in 3rd, 5th, 7th & 10th respectively with the bronze medal capping off a good day in the saddle for Campbell and the team.

With Day 1 complete, Ballarat turned all eyes on Day 2 which saw the main street transformed into a criterium circuit to host the 2013 National Title. Leading into this event, I was in high spirits about the possibility of success, knowing the strength and fire power our team has. The sunny evening and mild temperature ensured lots of Torq Nutrition products were consumed pre, during and post-Race with the Electrolyte Drink and Caffeinated Gels a clear favourite amongst the boys.

With 33 laps of the tough 1.1km Hot-dog shaped circuit, the pace was hard from the start with the field being split to pieces throughout the race. With 6 other Huon-Genesys U23 riders lining up alongside me, we definitely had the numbers on our side. A major breakaway saw 12 riders stay clear of the main field and ride away to take the top 12 places. Despite having Jack Beckinsale, Aaron Donnelly, Sam Davis and Campbell Flakemore in the break, the boys were out-smarted in the finish and fell short of the win and a podium place. I was marked out of the race with the other main sprinters in the field who spent more time watching each other than the race itself. I was disappointed with our result but I know that it’s a very long season with plenty of opportunities to succeed. Following the race, it was good to have a team de-brief which ensured our mistakes were made clear and lessons were learnt for next time we team up together.

Saturday morning welcomed the U23 Road Race competitors to the start location of Buninyong for the 137km event. With a new course being undertaken, the race would involve 2 big (28.5km) laps and 8 small (10km) laps instead of 12 small laps like previous years. The big laps involved flat open roads which were heavily exposed to the wind. Lining up alongside 112 other riders all keen to win, I was expecting an early move to go and in the first lap of the race and it did. The early break consisted of 10 riders and formed immediately on the first climb. Two of my Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisors teammates Aaron Donnelly & Jack Haig made the move and once over the Buninyong climb, the long fast descent enabled the break to ride away. Riders scrambled to get across in small groups and it wasn’t until the back of the big lap that 5 riders including myself made it to the break after a short but intense swap off. The leading group had swelled to 24 riders and once established, riders began rolling turns on the front, gradually pulling away from the main bunch. The breakaway continued to work effectively and rarely eased the pace. The climb proved too hard for a few of the early breakaway riders as one after another fell off from the leading pack. Aaron and I were working hard for Jack who was clearly the strongest climber in the break and our lead was out to 5 minutes at one point. The early race favourites formed a chase group and this reduced the gap to 3 minutes but we were never going to be caught. My legs were good and I was very pleased with my climbing ability riding all day in the front group so strongly and pushing myself to the limit 10 times up the 2.7km 6.4% Buninyong Climb. Approaching the final few laps, only 15 riders remained and the pressure was being applied. With 2 laps to go, the tactics were starting to be played with many small attacks causing short splinters in the group.

I attacked before the base of the climb and was joined by 2 others. We held a small gap but by the time we reached the feed zone (half way up the climb), we were caught. Aaron lifted the tempo and set up Jack for an attack. It was a great lead up by the boys and Jack escaped with Jordan Kerby and Damien Howson. The boys only held a small margin for the remaining 1.5 laps but it was enough to take the podium places.

Jack crossed the line in 3rd and took the bronze medal, Aaron finished very strongly to place 4th and I was happy with how I raced finishing in 11th position. Team Director Andrew Christie-Johnson was happy with our efforts with the bronze medal being an added bonus for Jack and the team. It was a solid day on the bike, but I was pleased to be rewarded with kind compliments from high profile coaches and media on my ride.

We couldn’t have started the 2013 season with such success if it wasn’t for our many sponsors. Thanks to Huon Salmon, Genesys Wealth Advisors, Avanti Bikes, Torq Nutrition, Praties, Champion System Clothing, Adidas Eye Wear, Perth Integrated Health, Zipp Wheels, Speedplay, Giro Helmets, SRAM Australia, Children’s First Foundation, Rock Tape and Aussie Butt Cream for your continued support. Behind the scenes, it takes a lot of hard work to keep a team of elite cyclists running strong, so thanks to Team Mechanic Damo, Chiropractor Peter, Soigneur/Masseur Nunny, Photographer/Cook/Soigneur Neil Walker and team directors Steve Price and ACJ. I have the most comfiest and brightest shoes in the peloton thanks to Diadora Australia, visit their website at www.diadoraaustralia.com.au to check out their products. It wouldn’t be possible to train and race so much throughout the year without the support of my parents, family, girlfriend, friends and coach so thanks for allowing me to follow my dreams. Stay tuned for the next race report, in the meantime, ride safely, wear a helmet and enjoy a bike ride or two! Thanks also to Mark Gunter and Neil Walker for the cool pics in this blog. Cheers Brenton

2013 Mitchelton Winery Bay Classic

Just before the year of 2012 came to an end, my teammates and I made the journey across to Geelong in preparation for the first race of 2013. The Mitchelton Winery – Jayco Bay Crits is a fast and furious 3 day criterium event which attracts the world’s best riders and teams.

New Year’s Day saw Stage 1 on the Ritchie Boulevard provide all spectators with the most sensational views of the fast and furious Hot-Dog circuit. Representing the Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisors Team were Steele Von Hoff, Anothony Giacoppo, Jack Beckinsale, Tom Robinson & I. The Elite Men’s start list consisted of 75 riders from Pro Tour teams & National Squads who were all looking to upstage the local domestic teams here in Australia. The first stage was hard from the start with little time to rest the legs between the corners. A number of small breaks broke clear during the race but it was New Zealand’s Greg Henderson who provided the field with a ‘carrot’ to chase riding solo off the front for the first half of the race. When Henderson was caught, attacks intensified and the pace increased at the head of the peloton. A few riders hit the deck and there were a number of close calls but my teammates and I were lucky to come away with our skin still intact. Steel & AJ found themselves in a couple of small moves off the front but it wasn’t until the last few laps that the race was to be decided today.

With 5 laps remaining, two riders were away and the pressure was being applied at the head of the main field. I was trying to stay out of trouble and keep near the front at the finish, managing to ride in the top 10 and surprising finding myself on the back wheels of Greg Henderson & Caleb Ewan.. With AJ close behind me and I was waiting to launch him to the line, but unfortunately he lost some ground on the 2nd last corne. I was happy to finish 9th, with AJ right behind in 10th but it was Caleb Ewan who dominated the finish and took the stage victory in style.

Portarlington is known for its steep terrain and provides a course both mentally and physically demanding. This year, Stage 2 was no exception with the challenging course narrowing the field down lap by lap. The winning break came after 30 minutes of racing, with GreenEdge rider Luke Durbridge and Rapha Condor / JLT rider Kristian House bursting in front of the peloton. The pair were soon joined by Grays Online New Zealand National Team rider James Oram. Steele tried to bridge across in the last couple of laps but fell short finishing a respectable 4th position. AJ ran 8th, I was back in 13th and Tom and Jack lasted most of the race. A Torq Recovery Drink aided our recovery after a solid race, before we set off to Williamstown ahead of the 3rd and final stage in the morning.

With the sun shining and the temperature increasing, a morning roll encouraged the legs to get moving ahead of stage 3 in Williamstown. On the start line, Steele, Tom and I lined up for the Huon Salmon – Genesys Wealth Advisors with AJ & Jack resting for 1st stage of the Herald Sun Tour starting that afternoon. The pace was high from the gun and it was hard to maintain a good position. The corners were fast following with the riders in front carrying momentum and the riders at the back struggling in the painful ‘elastic band’ of the bunch.

The winning move saw Mitch Docker (GreenEdge) and SASI rider Harry Carpenter ride away from the bunch and go on to finish 1-2 respectively. Steele and I rolled in at the back of the bunch with the heat and fast pace taking its toll today. Caleb Ewan took out the overall series win and continues to dominate his rivals on the international stage.

We finished with a good 3 days of speed in the legs and enjoyed mixing it up with Pro Tour Riders. The team and I now look forward to the 2013 Australian Open Road Championships which start on the 10th of January. I’m hoping to achieve success in the U23 category along with my Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisors teammates who are all riding so well. Thanks to our new Sponsors for 2013, your products are fantastic and we look forward to the year ahead. Please support their products by following the links on my Blog page. To my parents and family for your continued support, I couldn't be where I am without you and my coach Matt Wallace for his assistance throughout my cycling career to date. Thanks to Neil Walker for his great photo's too. Keep posted for the 2013 National Championships race report and make sure you follow the success of our team throughout the 2013 season. Thanks, Brenton