Round 2 Foodworks Teams Series

The second round of the teams series was set to show which teams were versatile enough to be both a good TT team but also a good road racing unit. The course was very difficult, as it included a tough 1.5km climb that was very steep, with sections close to 20% in gradient. This climb had to be done twice, so we knew the second time over the climb would be crucial. The race was to be 133km in length.

The team was eager to move up in the overall standings and were set to ensure we had three good finishers to register a good aggregate time. The race started very quickly, with the first 30km done averaging 50km per hour. No real breaks were let go, and the field hit the climb for the first time together. Many people were caught out by just how hard this climb was, with many having to walk up the climb. This first climb already ensured many would lose contact early, with many groups splintering over the climb. On the decent, some groups reformed with a peleton of about 50 left.

After 45km, the break of the day finally formed, with about 10-12 riders gaining about one and a half minutes on the main chase group. Sam was able to get himself into this group, while the rest of the team were able to sit back in the main peleton and allow the other teams to chase.

We knew the second time over the climb would be important. As the break hit the climb for the second time, the chasing peleton caught the break, except for two riders – Reuben Donati and Michael Cupitt. They would continue to ride hard over the climb, as the main peleton exploded across the road with a lead chasing pack forming.

Matt Murray was strong enough to make it into the front chasing group and sat in, with plans to attack in the finale. Meanwhile, Cupitt and Donati continued to forge ahead of the chase.

With 10km to go, it was evident that the front two would not be caught, and as such, Matt was now looking to try and get 3rd place. With 7km to go, the group started attacking each other, and Matt put in his first big attack. The group let him go for several kilometres, but then brought him back. Matt sat in for a kilometre and then attacked hard again. This attack was countered by Kristian Juel, which the group let go. Matt attacked again to try and bridge across to Juel, but again, the group didn’t want to let him go, and so Matt sat in for a sprint.

Matt got himself into the top 15, while Donati took the win ahead of Cupitt and Juel. Tom Szollosi finished in the second chase group, while Brendon Beavon (guest rider) finished several minutes down to complete our 3 riders.

This should mean we move up in the team standings. It was a great day for the team and means we will now look to move up again next round at Miles and Chinchilla.