14 July 2010

KENNY SPRING TEAM RIDERS IN CONTENTION FOR STATE TEAM BERTH AT NATIONAL TITLES

To represent the State at National is a big honor, to gain automatic selection in the NSW State team involves winning either of 3 designated races through the road season, with a second tear selection based on overall performance through the 2010 series of Two Day Tours.

The two most recent tour were Tamworth and Canberra, home of the National Titles for 2010.

Tamworth was a “bump in the road” for Team Rider Jessica Marshall, breaking some bones in her foot in the weeks leading up to the pointy end of the season. Effectively putter her out until the summer.

With the Team christening the new VALDORA bikes at Tamworth, Emma Apolony took full advantage of the new bikes power and took the win in the first two stages, securing the Yellow Leaders Jersey. Simons in 3rd, and riding out of her skin Meg Coffee in 4th. Day 2, time trial specialist Hollee Simons took the win with enough time from Emma to once again secure the Yellow for the Team with a total time of 1:05.39. with Apolony 9 seconds back in 2nd and Favorite Josie Talbot just 1 second back to 3rd. In a tactical finale Talbot won the last race with Apolony 2nd and Simons 5th. With Time bonuses for the win, Talbot snatch the lead by 3 seconds over Emma Apolony with Hollee Simons a further 3 second in 3rd. One of the closest Tours to date.

Canberra had a different flavor with the 24.5km Road Race on being a automatic selection for the 1st places NSW rider into the State Team. Being the venue for National and the ACT State Titles, the field was the best of the best from Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, ACT, NSW with New Zealand sent their Current National Road Race Champion to test the Aussies.

The 4 race , 2day format was held in cold and foggy conditions, a taste of thing to come at National. Tasmanian Lauren Perry was dominant on the road all weekend, taking race 1 with Emma Apolony 2nd and WA rider Molly Booker 3rd all on the same time, with Hollee Simons 4th 35seconds back. Team Track Specialist Cyntarah Micarelli fought into 13th place out of the 19 strong field.

Race 2 Criterium, came down to a bunch sprint again Perry dominating th the win, Apolony 3rd Simons 6th and Micarelli 13th all finishing in the bunch with the same time.

Sunday’s early morning Road race was the hardest race of the year, with multiple attacks on the 10% inclines out of the Coppins Crossing gully. Interstate riders were not interested in the NSW selection criteria on the race and were only interested in dishing out the pain to any one who could hang on. 3km from the finish four riders were away, Perry (Tas) Booker (WA) Talbot (NSW) and Team rider Emma Apolony. With Talbot and Apolony watching each other Perry and Booker dictated the pace. A late charge from Hollee Simons riding across a 15 second gap, making contact with the elite lead group with only 1.5 km to the finish. As the five rider entered the Criterium course at the Mt Stromlo park, three NSW rider were vying for the top place finish, and not losing sight of the over all position. In the final bunch sprint again Perry took the win with Booker 2nd and 3rd with the all important NSW selection position Talbot, Apolony just 5cm behind, all 4 finishing with the same time. Simons a valiant 5th just 2 second behind the lead group. Cyntarah Micarrelli again showing a consistent performance in12th.

Last stage Time Trail, while not a selection race still on opportunity to impress the Selection Panel . Time trial Specialist Hollee Simons again the top Team Rider in 3rd, Apolony 5th and interestingly Talbot 9th. The win was taken by WA rider Booker and 2nd by Perry, with these front runners making good use of the age difference, one extra year they have over Simons.

Perry took the overall win in 2:00.13 Booker 2nd +29 sec, and Team Rider Emma Apolony 3rd +1:34sec Simons 4th + 2:06sec. and Micarelli 13th + 13:56.

Races coming thick and fast now, NSW Country Road Titles in Sydney this weekend, Inverell 2 day tour in 2 weeks followed by the NSW State Titles in Port Macquarie Aug 14th /15th with 2 more opportunities to gain selection for National , in the State Road Race Titles, and State Time Trial Titles. Both Emma and Hollee are looking in a great position to take the last 2 guaranteed spot in the State Team, with Meg Coffee and Cyntarah still in contention.

Tamworth full results
DBR Canberra full results

Mark Simons
Team Manager

The New Team VALDORA road bike (left) and Time Trail bike proved to be a major advantage for the Team Riders at Canberra. From left Cyntarah Micarelli, Emma Apolony, Hollee Simons

Final podium at Canberra Tour