16 Jun Down Under Cycling Academy Delivers Huge Opportunity To Continue Our Development

With the conclusion of our racing block in Europe we were extremely fortunate that Tiree, Lola and Maia would be joined by fellow kiwi and National Champion Georgia Simpson to live, train and race as a team in collaboration with the Tour Down Under Academy program in Italy run by the legendary Valentina Scandolara.

We caught up with Valentina and the girls in Verona before we headed into the mountains, and it was clear to see the ‘Italian’ experience was everything and more than we had hoped for.

With Valentina’s local knowledge and the experienced support team it was clear to see that the next few months were going to deliver another massive learning experience both on and off the bike.

The first block of racing was going to be a big step up for the girls with two UCI tours racing with the ‘big’ girls at the open level. After discussions with Valentina we decided this would be a tough but valuable experience for the girls and a great opportunity to be exposed to the racing they would be going into next year as first year U23’s. With a positive and growth mindset there was nothing to be lost and plenty to be gained.

Read on to get an insight into this first block of racing from Lola and Tiree.

Lola

Tour De Feminin 2.2 – Czech Republic

On the 24th May, the Down Under Cycling Academy/Black Magic Womens Team headed to the Northern reaches of the Czech Republic. Tour De Feminin was a tough four day tour of hilly terrain, with a field of 139 women, with 93 finishers.

The first road race (stage 2) was super hard from the start, I was expecting it to ease off like junior racing does, but it didn’t! Within the first 10km the bunch was split up and I was fighting hard in the front group up the climb. My biggest reflection of improvement to be made was my descending, I was yo-yoing off the bunch. Up front in the climbs, out the back in the descent, and back and forth.

I was pleased with how I raced in the 2nd road race (stage 3). I felt stronger and more prepared leading into this race after having a taster from the previous day. I was more comfortable as I had learnt the rhythm of the bunch, and there were less starters.

95 km into the race, with 10km to go, I was in the lead bunch up the climb, preparing for a smooth gradual descent into the finish. At the top of the climb, I was forced to unclip from a minor crash which resulted in losing sight of the peloton. I was extremely happy to have finished within such close proximity of the lead group though and I was excited to be able to line up again for the 4th and final stage of the road race the following day.

Racing this tour was a huge learning curve for me. On the start line I had no idea of what the level of intensity would be. The racing was a big step up from junior racing, and I was thrilled to have been able to complete this tour as the youngest rider. I was left wanting more (after some rest) and I feel so fortunate to have been introduced to and get a taste of what racing requires of me next year in the European field.

Belgrade GP 2.2 – Serbia

One week after racing in the Czech Republic, we began our 12 hour road trip to Belgrade, Serbia.
The course for this race was flat. A 4km ‘hot dog’ loop (not a hillclimbers forte).
However, I was excited to be back on the start line and get some more elite UCI racing under my belt.

Stage 1 was a 100km race. The environment and tactics of racing was near opposite to Tour De Feminin. The racing was super surgy with countless attacks throughout the race. The bunch was split into multiple groups, with myself and my teammates in the chase group for the majority of the race.

Stage 2 was the same course but a slightly different tactic was played in this race compared to the previous day. The bunch was contained for the 80km race. Leading into the last lap, knowing it would be a sprint finish, I had to try to activate my ‘sprinters legs’, and & give everything into the finish line.

Racing in both of these UCI elite races was incredible & I feel so fortunate having had this experience. I feel like I can bring some learning to my junior races, but more importantly have experienced an introduction of what to expect next year. I am excited to be on the start line again this coming weekend for some local open races around Verona.

So much thanks and endless appreciation to Valentina our mentor, organiser & visionary, & Paulo & Georgios our dedicated DS’s & endurance drivers.

Tiree

Tour De Feminin 2.2 – Czech Republic

Tour de Feminin 2.2 was next level!

I was happy with how I felt and performed in the TT on stage 1.

I had a crash early on in stage 2. I had to work hard to catch up to a large bunch off the back of the main peloton.

Stage 3 didn’t get much better. Half way through the race I got caught up in a crash. I worked hard to catch the peloton but was shortly dropped after a surge. I worked with another rider to get around the second lap and make time cut.

Stage 4, I felt strong throughout the race. Once again the pace was high. I rolled over the finish in a strong chasing group.

I am happy with how I kept pushing despite some bad luck throughout the tour. I finished up the tour with 92nd General Classifications and 47th youth. Tour de Feminin was such a good tour for my development. I learnt to feed from the car and road side, chase onto the peloton after crashing, and so much more. I think the mental learning from the tour was where my biggest gains were made. I learnt the importance of perseverance and never giving up.

Belgrade GP 2.2 – Serbia

Super stoked with how I went at Belgrade Grand Prix Women Tour 2.2. The pace was high and I had to be alert and focused throughout the racing as there were attacks happening constantly on both stages.

Stage 1, I missed a key move mid way through the race. A couple of teammates and I ended up in a chasing group. On the last corner with 1km to go, I attacked the chasing group to finish 18th.

On stage 2 a couple of riders managed to get a gap on the peloton. I was well positioned within the peloton approaching the finish for the bunch sprint.

I am happy to have picked up 13th for stage 2. I finished the tour with 18th in General Classifications and 12th young rider.

I am feeling the improvements from all the European racing experience I am gaining. I am learning new things each time I race. Lots more races coming up, I can’t wait!!!