news archive
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Germany by Ian Richards
G'day
I have raced in over 15 races here in germany and i can speak fluent german now,
My results have been great even though i am only a first year U17,
I have placed 2nd, 7th in the bavarian champs, 10th in the preis der Öberhausen, 15, 12, 14............!
I am happy with my results and i am pleased with my self
the racing here is great and every saturday and sunday is like a Southbank criterium but with hundreds of riders in my races.
Everyone in germany tells me that the kit looks great and when ever i break off the front, "Ian Richards Vom australien in the Hitachi kit!" "The next Robbie McEwen" The colours look great and everyone always asks me about the sponsors and what they do for us, i feel like a profesional saying that we fly around the country and race 1000's of kilometres away from home.
My racing has improved over here and i have learnt a lot about racing and training, at the moment i am being coached by an Ex-Prof!
Just sitting outside now at 11 O'clock at night and it is still light,
Every night i go training at 6 O'clock for as long as i want,
Hope all is well down under and i will be home in 8 days!
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Tour De Tablelands By Natalie East
I raced at the Tour de Tablelands on the weekend. The weekend didn't start off well as I got a flat in the first road race and my spares were in the car ahead of me (we rode with the boys and the spares car was with the boys). I was 30km from the finish and walked for about 5 minutes waiting for the race behind me to catch up. I was the first girl home in the Individual Time trial in the afternoon.
Sunday's races went well although I had wanted to do a bit better but I have a cough and cold and found breathing a bit hard. Monday's road race went very well and I was the first girl home again. The distances were very long and doing a long road race each day was tough but I really enjoyed being away and trying something different. I stayed with Maddison Vit from Tablelands at their farm which was an experience on its own as I have never been on a farm before! Next weekend = Logan/Kangaroo Point event.
7 May 2008
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The annual Anzac 25 at Lakeside raceway in Brisbane’s north saw great performances from all riders in windy conditions
Hit Racing had five members of its under 17 team taking part and two riders came up heads after a spin around the newly resurfaced track
Natalie East, who recently rode personal best times in the national track championships in Sydney, won her first race back on the road. After a great first season last year, Natalie has proven herself to be the full package with great climbing and time trialling skills. The Lakeside course suited Natalie and her first place means she has regained her road legs after the track season.
One up and coming member of the team is Sam Woods. He took first place for his maiden win at an open event, no bad for a young rider in his first full season, Sams commitment and gritty riding style is becoming well known.
A talented climber with energy to burn, Sam has put in the hard work this year and the results are there to see
Natalie and Sam were supported by Tatham White who gained second in the boys event with Lauren Biglands and Bridgette Mohr helping in the girls race
Another great result for all the riders and sponsors!
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Saturday 5 April 2008 I raced the Bike Week cup criterium at Nundah. I entered B grade men which consisted of about 75 riders. After a couple of attempts at trying to get away in the first two laps of the race, I finally succeeded in my third lap to break away on my own. After riding three laps on my own, to my delight two Hamilton club riders rode across to me and we started working together.
The bunch remained about half a lap behind us, so about 5 laps to go the Hamilton club riders began attacking me alternately. This was a good learning experience for me to have to keep focused right until the finish. By the last lap, I realised it was going to be a 3 up sprint, so I marked the stronger rider by riding beside him and as soon as he went to go up a gear, I kicked and went for the finish line. Fortunately, neither of the Hamilton riders came over me, giving Hitachi a win for the day.
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Auf Wiedersehen Mate
Last season Ian earned gold silver and bronze medals on the road and track in state titles and finished 8th in the national road race in Canberra. He also finished in the top 4 in every race he contested in Queensland.
“It’s a great opportunity for Ian to travel to Europe and race, he is a vital part of our team” Rob Godson director of Hit Racing said, “ our team is one of the strongest in the country and Ian has developed well and we think he can go on to greater things”
Hit Racing is sponsored team with Hitachi Construction Machinery, Thiess, Wealth Acceleration and Go Mortgage as its major sponsors
Rob added, “This year our riders will travel all over Australia and now with Ian’s opportunity to Germany too,”
“I am looking forward to riding on the wrong side of the road and there are some really hilly races. I think my climbing is getting better as I get older and my finishing sprint is going well too, I will be racing in big races all over Germany and even in Belgium, I am really excited” Ian told us after coming third in a recent adults race in New South Wales. “I want to do my best and learn as much as possible.
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Hit Racing rider Tatham White saw his wealth accelerate at the weekend after he won the Summer Series of road races held in Brisbane, he took home new tyres , a yellow jersey and a cash prize
In a three race series Tatham was supported by Sam Woods and Ian Richards who helped him claim second place in the last race, the team placed in every race
“It’s the first racing of the season and it makes up for Tathams disappointment when he punctured in the state titles recently” Gavin Smith of Hitachi Construction Machinery added” Tathams also been given a scholarship through the team to help him become our web site manager, its not all about cycling, he wants to pursue this path so with the sponsors help we can allow him to do the relevant course”