Regional News for January 7, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

Hemsley in form, Millward out of Australian championships

Canberra cyclist Margaret Hemsley says she is in better form now than she was last year when she claimed the mantle of Australian women's road champion and is keen to defend the title when she lines up in Ballarat on January 18th in the women's road race at the 2003 BMC Software Australian Open Road Championships.

Hemsley, 31, surprised even herself when she claimed the 2002 crown in the wake of an horrific crash in June 2001 which left her in a Spanish hospital with a fractured hip joint.

"When I finally got out of hospital I was on crutches for three months and going into the nationals last year I was a long way from top form," explained Hemsley. "Knowing that I had to do the only thing possible which was to attack and hope I could stay away."

Her plan worked and she headed to Europe with the green and gold champion's jersey on her back to take up her new contract with the German registered Team Nuernberger.

"They had taken a bit of a risk signing me especially after my injury woes so they were really pleased when I won the nationals," said Hemsley who this year will again ride with Team Nuernberger. "The win was a huge highlight for me and it provided a real confidence boost which set me up for the whole season.

Hemsley says even though she claimed the Australian title it took until the Manchester Commonwealth Games for her to feel she had fully recovered.

"It was disappointing to ride the road race in Manchester knowing I had a gold medal in my sights and to see it slip away when I crashed," said Hemsley who held a commanding solo lead in the event up until the final lap when she slipped on a wet corner and saw her hopes of a gold medal evaporate. She finished in 12th place and in the earlier time trial narrowly missed a medal when she rode home in fourth. She recovered to ride with the Australian team at the World Championships in Belgium in October before enjoying a three week break from training.

"I was still in Germany when I resumed training in November so it was a case of avoiding the rain and trying to do as much as I could," she said. "But I am definitely in better form than this time last year and I'm ready to tear some legs off if I need to."

Hemsley will be well supported by her ACT Academy of Sport team mates which includes Alison Wright, who led home the main field to claim fifth in the road race at the World Titles.

No green light for Millward

Meantime former world number one, Anna Millward, will not start in Ballarat and is unlikely to race at all until at least the middle of 2003. The 31 year old continues to battle an injury she sustained in a crash at the 2001 World Championships.

"It really isn't getting any better," said an obviously frustrated Millward. "I've had MRI's, x-rays, nerve conduction and a raft of other medical tests but they still can't tell me what the problem is."

"Last year I stayed off the bike for a few months and that didn't fix it so I'm still training which at least keeps me fit."

The injury has left Millward with a weakness in the hamstring of her right leg which means she can't get any power out of her right leg when she needs it in a race. The injury also causes her pain under race conditions. In spite of this she claimed the silver medal in 2002 in the time trial at both the Commonwealth Games and Australian Championships.

"I'm thinking I might have to do a medical degree so I can figure out myself what the problem is," joked Millward who already has a law degree.

Despite her unfailingly good humour in the face of the injury she admits the uncertainty is taking its toll.

"It really is devastating because I'm not keen to end my cycling career but at this stage I really don't have any choice but to stop racing, at least for now," said Millward who has relinquished her professional contract with the American Saturn team because of her inability to race.

In the meantime Millward is working two days a week in Melbourne's Bicycle Superstore where she is using her expertise to encourage other women to become involved in cycling.

"I'm helping to set up their bikes and give them tips on racing and training," said Millward. The 2003 BMC Software Australian Open Road Championships will be held at Bunninyong, near Ballarat from January 16th to 19th. Events start at 11am each day.

Thursday, January 16 - Women's Individual Road Time Trial, 28km
Friday, January 17 - Men's Individual Road Time Trial, 39km
Saturday, January 18 - Women's Road Race, 100km
Sunday January 19th - Men's Road Race, 180km

Coaching in Limerick

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent

The National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick have agreed on a procedure for the assimilation of experienced coaches and athletes at level 2 and level 3. This procedure will be in place during 2003. This provides a unique opportunity for coaches of long standing and for experienced riders to have their value recognised.

To facilitate any riders or coaches who are interested in being assimilated at level 2 or level 3 Cycling Ireland will run a number of level 1 courses in January/February. Cycling Ulster will host a level 1 course in Craigavon on the weekend of January 18-19. The Munster Cycling Federation will run a level 1 course in Mallow on the weekend of February 7-9. The Connaught Cycling Federation will run a level 1 course over five Wednesday evenings in February/March.

There are no fees to attend these courses. Paddy Doran will act as lead Tutor for these courses.While anyone can apply for an assimilation course please note that the Assimilation Committee of Cycling Ireland will give preference to candidates who have attended at a level 1 course.

Cycling Ireland hopes that a number of people will be graded as level 3 coaches and that a substantial number will be graded as level 2 coaches. This will hopefully be the backbone of a coaching structure, which can only improve cycling, and cyclists.

Further Details from:

Ulster Cycling Frank Campbell 02890228465 or (0044) 7712186910 (Northern Ireland)
Munster Cycling Federation John O Sullivan 02228713 or 0868476000
Connaught Cycling Federation Padraic Marrey 0877992857
Cycling Ireland 01 8551522
Míceal Concannon 06444396.

San Diego Velodrome gets a facelift

In preparation for the up coming World Cup Track Qualifier and race season in San Diego, track volunteers and businesses from the local community have given the velodrome a much needed facelift. With lumber donations by the Dixieline Lumber Co. and a fresh coat of paint donated by Frazee Paint and Wallcovering, the track facility is now a much more pleasant place to train and race. With an increasing membership base and monetary sponsorship from local bike shops, Hi-tech Bikes.com, Bike Anvil and Holland’s Cyclery, the velodrome was able to spend some money on improvement to the grounds.

Surprisingly, the biggest help came from the local music group The Pete Knudsen Band, which designed and almost single-handedly constructed the new judge's viewing stand. The 4 foot high, 15' by 15' stand will provide the judges an excellent view of the race activities. It will be called the Dixieline Judge's Stand in recognition of its support from the local lumber company.

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