Tour of Tassie Stage 1

Tour of Tassie Stage 1

Veneziano Luck Strikes Mt Wellington TTT

A 17km team time trial finishing at the top of Mt Wellington, this day was set to be built for Huon Genesys after last years domination. Nonetheless as a little team paying our own way we didn't come thousands of kilometres to put in an average effort and just be happy with whatever happened. With two steep ramps very close to the start a good warm up was essential and so was a steady pace.

Three, two, one and we were on our way, the first stage of hurt was underway. The team plan didn't have anything to do with watts or speed, the message was simple 'communication is key' keeping everyone updated on how the slower climbers (like myself) were going/struggling. As soon as the road levelled out I took my turn to set pace as I knew that as the road turned skyward I'd become useless, and as I thought we turned right off the main road and onto Mt Wellington itself, the boys took off setting a good pace pulling slowly further and further away. Nothing left in my tank I just tried to keep the guys in sight in case anything went wrong, just the Veneziano luck at 7.5km to go Lachlan Ambrose dropped his chain getting it caught in Cervelo's infamous wide bottom bracket making sure that getting back on quickly wasn't an option. With the team time being taken on the 4th rider and only 3 guys ahead of me, the level of pain was about to rise.

I just concentrated on turning the legs over as hard as I could without blowing, the guys talked to each other for me keeping me in second or third wheel and at least one eye on me to make sure I stayed in the wheels. The kilometres ticked past but not quick enough, my legs were shouting to slow down but this was for the guys. 2km and I started to drop the wheel coming in to 1km to go and the pain left, the finish line was close and I had a second wind, only problem was that if I slowed down I was going to blow and badly. The guys were calling out to slow down and it was hard to ignore but luckily they jumped straight on my wheel. I couldn't do anything except for push and push, across the line and it was done everyone was shattered. We took the bad luck in our stride and gave everything we could, each of the guys put in an awesome effort and I couldn't ask to be around a better group of guys.

We now recover and get ready for the rest of the tour, a massive thanks to Michael Slater our team director, Veneziano Coffee Roasters, Blefari Cafe & Cucina, First Pour Coffee Boutique, Sauna King, Swiss Wellness, Boon Digital Media and IT Constructs. Great ride guys only seven stages to go.