Cub in the Lions den at the Australian National Road Championships

Tucked in and concentrating - jxpphotography.com

For many riders the Australian National Road Championships started a lot longer ago than some may think. Personally I’d put in 3 hard months of good nutrition, hard training and good habits to give myself the best chance at improving upon previous national road championship results. Joining the African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team for the 2014 season I felt like a 'cub' in the 'lions den'. Concentrating on the Time Trial for this years nationals, after last years 5th place in the Criterium championships a few doubts had been cast over my thought process but I had faith in myself as did my coach and easily my biggest supporter, my father. With them on my side I knew everything would work out come the 2nd week of January. 

Let the race of truth begin - Kirstie O'Callaghan

Arriving at the accommodation on Tuesday afternoon post riding a lap of the time trial course everything was done and I felt confident of a good result. Wednesday morning came around so quickly and the nerves started to set in, I knew what I had to do. Early morning spin for 20 minutes, get to the races 2 hours before my start so I had time to sit down and make sure everything was ready to go when the time came, register, kit up, warm up and before I knew it, the countdown had started. Start easy and slowly apply pressure to get me up to speed before tucking in and watching the power numbers hover at what I was aiming for. A slight rise to the only left hander of the day, and it was time to get comfortable for a tailwind run out to the turnaround. I knew that with the wind behind me there was no way of winning the time trial but I could certainly ruin my chances my by pushing harder than needed, not knowing any splits I rode my own race and after the turnaround it was time to concentrate on getting back to the finish as quick as possible without blowing up. 10km to go, 5km to go and I could see the corner in the distance marking 2.5km to the finish line. I could feel my legs burning and starting to fade, I just willed myself to push and the final 2km are just a blur in my mind. I crossed the line and knew I had given everything and no matter the result I knew there was nothing more to be done, rolling back to the car I couldn't believe it when I heard Matthew Keenan calling me to the hot-seat, I took my position atop the podium and waited, rider after rider crossed the line and still I sat, higher and higher ranked riders finished behind me until the final 10 came through. Six of the final 10 riders finished quicker, giving me 7th place behind the country’s best riders, a place that I am very happy to be considering the talent in this years U23 race. 

Straight back to the accommodation and the recovery began. Fifteen minutes in the ice bath followed by an hour in the recovery boots and a massage, all accompanied by a lot of food, a protein shake as well as plenty of electrolytes and water. With the U23 road race on Saturday it was all about recovering and preparing for the U23 blue ribbon event, a race which only 12 months ago I was pulled from after only 4 laps of the gruelling and infamous Bunninyong circuit.

Three man break climbing Mt Bunninyong - jxpphotography.com

Saturday morning was busy with such an early start and a lot of preparation to get done before the race, a 6am wake up was on the cards. Eat, pack, coffee, check bikes, roll to start line, eat, relax and one final look over the bike before go time.  A few fireworks the first time up the climb yet no break, it wasn't until the second time up the climb where a small group of 5 including teammate Jeremy Cameron jumped away taking all of the pressure off myself to work and in the end the entire team benefited greatly from strong tactics. Lap after lap went by and my legs still felt good, riding strong position up the front of the bunch I knew come the time when one team wanted the break back I was ready and my legs felt good. With 5 laps to go and only one minute between the break and the peloton Avanti Racing Team took to the front and bought the race back together a lap later, with only three ascents of Bunninyong to go I took my chance and put time into the somewhat dwindling peloton. Robert Jon McCarthy and Patrick Sharpe joined me on the quick descent back into the township. McCarthy wasn't looking to work instead opting to wait for his SASI teammate Harry Carpenter the break was not going to succeed, the second last time up the climb, the break became the main group after being joined by seven more riders. The group of 10 rolled easy turns with no one wanting to take up the pace making before the penultimate climb before dropping down into the finish. The final ascent was a solid pace before Bradley Linfield attacked across the top of the climb taking with him four other riders and myself 20 metres off the back after being boxed in by two riders who were clearly not up for the chase. I regained contact with the lead group moments before the 5km to go banner, there were a flurry of attacks up until the final kilometre. With a quick finish lined up for all involved there was a clear favourite and yet again Caleb Ewan showed why he is arguably one of the best young talents in the world taking first place, followed Bradley Linfield and Robert Power to round out the podium while Harry Carpenter finished off a successful nationals campaign with 4th position followed by myself in 5th. 

On the front of the break - Kirstie O'Callaghan

Coming into a new team at African Wildlife Safaris for the 2014 season, I put all my eggs in the one basket in hope of reaffirming the decision to add me to the roster as a late inclusion. With a 7th in the Time Trial and 5th in the Road Race, I personally couldn't have imagined a better result after such a roller coaster year. These results wouldn't have been possible without the support from my friends and family, my coach Tim Clayton, the entire team at African Wildlife Safaris and nevertheless the sponsors providing everything I need to help me race harder and faster as well. A big thank you to African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team, Cannondale Bikes, Enve Composties, Monza Imports, SRAM Australia, Fi’zi:k, Ceramic Speed, Cycleops, Powertap, Lezyne, Drift Innovation, Sportful Custom Cycling Clothing Australia, Powerbar and the Amy Gillett Foundation. Photos courtesy of Jarrod Partridge (jxpphotography.com) and Kirstie O'Callaghan

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We look forward to seeing you at our next big race, the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.