About Me

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Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
I am a professional cyclist for Drapac Pro Cycling. An Australian registered Pro Continental team. My hometown is Dunedin in New Zealand. I also study business and event management. Racing my bike around the globe aiming to get to the highest level in the sport.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

December Australia trip to Queensland

On the 1st of December I traveled to Queensland and then onto Rockhampton. On the 2nd I started competition in the Rockhampton Cup. Rocky had 2 nights of competition with multiple races on each day. My best results were 1st in Madison with Dylan Kennett, 1st Mystery Distance race, 3rd Elimination, 3rd Scratch race. I made the final in the wheel race handicap but being on the back marks did not reach the front of the race.

After the racing on Saturday night we traveled to Bundaberg and arrived in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The next day we got to have a look at the track for the next weekend. Its was a big outdoor 400m track.
On Tuesday i went for a ride early in the morning with Bill a local rider to be shown town and roads. Dylan didn't quite manage to wake up for the 7am ride. We moved from the motel to stay with Peter and Judy a local couple who put us up for the rest of the week. Peter and Judy own a local Brumbies Cafe and its fair to say we were well looked after to say the least!

Later on that day we went out and rode the only hill in Bundaberg. After being told to "go up the easy side" and "Its really steep" we were laughing all the way up. I went up in the big ring and its safe to say they haven't been to experience what Dunedin has to offer! On the way home we stuck a massive downpour and were absolutely soaked. the one thing that struck me was how the water spray off the wheel was warm, this made for a nice change. Over the next 3 days it didn't stop raining for any longer than an hour. Thankfully by Friday night the worst was over and we were able to get down to some good old fashioned racing for the Bundaberg Cycling Spectacular. The big track tests bike handling skills to the limit especially in madison changes in the bends. It took me a while to get a hang of the track and sort out how to win. Me and Dylan hit the madison fast, a bit too fast for 40km and we payed for it later on although we came good in the very end. On the second night I was looking to have a better one than the night before and I did with results in every race. I really wanted a win and although I got one in a Keirn heat that doesn't count. I also had 2 thirds in the elimination and final scratch race and me and Dylan teamed up with a Queenslander to take 2nd in the Team sprint after setting the fastest time in semi finals.

The next morning we traveled down to Brisbane with Toby Boylan the club president to catch our flights to New Zealand.
Overall a very good week racing over there with some fantastic people.

Big thanks to Bill, Sheldon, Toby and Jase from the Bundaberg Cycling Club and all the sponsors who supported the event.
Cheers,
Brad

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