Hi David, I'm off to Europe for 1 month in the next couple of days. I've got to tell you I've really enjoyed my 3 months plan with you. I've found it extremely challenging. I've done my best with it (the coaching program)... I'd like to stick with you when I get back!!!! I like your programmes. They are thorough! Thanks and regards, Robert Castellani.

This year is definitely the most that I have ever trained and trained based on a structured program and I have had the most amazing results. I have won my age groups Veteran State Road and Criterium Championships and Club Road and Criterium Championships. I have also taken bronze in the Masters State TT Championships (Div 1) and silver in the Masters State Team TT Championships. At the Veterans South Pacific Championships at Easter this year I came second in the 300m sprint, third in the criterium and time trial.

About 20 months ago I was hit by a car when out training, it took me a while to get over those injuries. I got back on the bike about November last year, and until March this year I was still having physio 3 times a week for recovery from the accident.

I made a decision that I wanted to get back racing and really focused on that decision. I have trained hard and I have entered races this year that I have never really attempted before and the results have been amazing. The results also give me confidence and enthusiasm to keep racing and setting the next goal. I know at times there have been races were there not that many to race against - I always say that 'you can only race against those that turn up'.

Thank you to everyone that has encouraged me and especially to David my husband and coach.

Sunday 24th August was Southern Vets Cycling Club (SVCC) club championships - road. The race was held on the circuit Cora-Lynn - Bayles - Modella - Longwarry - Tynong - Cora-Lynn, the women were sent around the shorter circuit taking out Heath Hill.

Click on the full story link below to read more...

Jodie (right) with club mate and Gold medal winner Kerrie Howard (left) at the Victorian Masters ITT Road Championships

This was the first time Jodie had entered the State Individual Time Trial Championships. The event was at Newstead and hosted by Castlemaine Cycling Club on Saturday 23rd August 2008. The race was 20km over an undulating out and back course. 

In the lead up to the race we had decided to build a time trial bike for her, however all the parts only arrived about 3 days before the event. So we didn’t put it together as she would not have had a chance to ride it before the race having never ridden on aero bars before. David started only 17 minutes after Jodie, so she rode her normal road bike without the disc wheel or the time trial helmet. She did have a nice set of deep-rimed Corima wheels on the bike though.

On the start line she was feeling good and got into a rhythm early and her heart rate was were it needed to be. She kept the girl in front within site but knew that the girl one minute behind (Kerrie Howard also from Caulfield Carnegie CC) was fast. Once Kerrie went past she lifted her pace and was able to maintain a constant distance from her. On the turn around though Jodie must have been a bit slow as when she looked up Kerrie was gone. There were a few riders she could see in front and she just kept her focus there and maintained her heart rate and cadence. She could see her one-minute girl still in front and felt like she was gaining, by the time she finished she was spent and knew that what ever the result she gave it all she had.

Jodie finished 3rd and was totally ecstatic. She was 2 ½ minutes behind Kerrie who won the event. 2 ½ minutes is a fair time gap but Kerrie (she is currently training for the World Masters Track Championships) is a really classy rider and rides many grades higher than Jodie. So to finish in the medals and to have maintained her rhythm and heart rate was a fantastic outcome. Also as they merged the age groups due to entries. Jodie's time actually made her first in her age group (although no medal for that).

Here is Dave's report, well done Dave on your success!

"I combined a 25km road race with my Saturday workout. 1st time I've raced since Bright last year - got away on the last hill and won D Grade." - Dave Negus

4th week into track racing and Peter Kotsiris is getting wins on the board

Harry Handley's race report from the Drake Blvd crit...

Latest update from Graham

Rob provides his inital feedback on the remote coaching program. Here are his comments...

Dave,
Just a short note to tell you that I'm very much enjoying the training plan at the mo. It's hard enough believe me!!!
Cheers talk to you soon.
Rob Castellani, VIC

Hi David,

Well I'm off to the airport shortly. Thank you for the response from Jace, I'll fine tune [my nutrition] to suit.
You can check our website between Sat. 5th to Sat. 19th as we will be sending updates.

I would like to thank you for all your help this past 6 months, having a structured program to follow has been invaluable to me and I feel very prepared for what is to come in France. I am looking forward to my riding in France this year being much better than it has been in the past.

I'm looking forward to the Home Trainer e-book when it comes out later this month, instead of taking chances on our roads when it is raining, I can stay home and get in a great workout that will keep my fitness up or even perhaps improve it.

Thank you so much once again, I will e-mail you after the Marmotte on Saturday to let you know how it went.

Best Regards,

Sean King, Barbados