Team Cyclingnews.com - 2005

Team Journal Entry - August 2, 2005, by Cam Jennings

Cold at Qinghai Lake

Hi all,

Back in Belgium now after our trip to China and was a pretty successful trip for the team. Personally I would have liked to perform better but the altitude really hit me and I didn't handle that well. Always was going to be a little hit and miss. Some people handle it better than others. So, I guess you have all read Glen's little update report on Cyclingnews so I'll continue where he left off.

After a rough beginning to the tour where I was without my luggage for a first two days in Xining before the tour and then breathing through a straw in my nose for the first three stages, things started to get worse before they got better.

Stage 4: Bird Island-Xihaizen

After an extremely fast stage 3 to Bird Island we set off and continued around the lake to a town called Xihaizen. Unfortunately the wind blew in some rain and icy cold conditions. It was a dreadful day. Started off ok, and then I wasn't warm enough so went back to the car to get another jacket. Got back to the group to see it had split into three groups and only 15km had been covered. Was going to be a long day. Groups came back and then a few kilometres later it split again and Glen and I were in the second group. All worked well and closed the gap in the slop before the KOM sprint when Glen took off up the road. Over the climb my two legs turned to ice and would not work so was left in second group again and still 60km to go. Glen meanwhile spent the next 30km off the front of the first group with a few others.

Our second group was still working well and trying to keep warm. At one stage we had almost closed the gap but then the front group must have sensed our arrival and picked the pace up again. Over the last two KOMs we were still together but I wasn't looking forward to the last 20km downhill as I was frozen through. Struggled to keep my bike straight down the hill and finished in the bunch in a right state. Needed help walking to my room and getting undressed...what a day! Glen got caught by the first group and finished in the bunch while Sven finished ninth on the stage. Jeremy and Tom had a similarly torrid day to me. Leigh unfotunately had to pull out due to his injuries sustained the day before. He was not alone as the broom wagon was chock a block full of 30 frozen riders all calling it a day.

However, there is a silver lining to every cloud. Whilst recovering in bed I heard about the accident in Germany and the Australian women's cycling team. I quickly stopped talking about the day I had and realised how lucky I was. My day paled into insignificance quite quickly. My thoughts go out to Amy Gillet's family and friends, her five seriously injured teammates, and the staff who were involved, and wish everybody a speedy recovery. All the best.

Stage 5: Xihaizhen-Guide

Well the weather did not let up for what was supposed to be the longest day of the tour at 200km. Fearing a further exodus of riders from the field organisers reduced the stage to 125km and to finish at the top of the last hill. Still going to be a bloody hard day. In light of events in Germany all the Australians in the race from different teams donned the black arm bands and considered ourselves lucky to be racing in the freezing cold.

The stage started pretty steady but Sven was ready for a tough day and took off in pursuit of the first sprint. Unfortunately he got pulled in 2km before it so missed out on a bit of coin. Remainder of the stage leading up to the two climbs was controlled by ZVVZ who had the yellow. On the climb attacks came thick and fast and again like yesterday my legs were not responding to the cold and altitude and I had to let go. Glen was still there and riding well. Took it real easy up the last climb knowing I needed to be good on the next few important stages. Glen was up there in the coin whilst everybody else finished safely. Despite the best efforts of the organisers a number of riders still called it a day. Jumped in the van and drove the descent, and then we were required to get back on our bikes for a procession into town in front of thousands.

Stage 6: Guide-Xining

The profile today looked like a pyramid. 20km of flat then 40km of climbing, 40km of descending and then 20km of flat to the finish back to Xining. ZVVZ again controlled the bunch but by 10km from the top of the climb had one rider left with the yellow jersey. They spent a lot of energy chasing insignificant riders but hey, I am not their DS. Glen attacked with 20km of climbing to go and Ryan Cox was with him. Was still feeling good and then the pace and climb kicked up with 10km to go. got into a good group near the top and kept a good tempo, not losing too much time. Glen was dropped by Cox who was flying. To Glen's credit he did not hang onto a car to help his position like many other riders did during the stage. Not mentioning any names but the Chinese, Kazaks and Naturino riders all had popeye arms at the end of the stage. Glen could have been easily in the top 10 if this was controlled. Anyway...

Got over the climb and began the descent. We were all flying, keeping it at 60km/h on the flats and caught a group 3km out. Glen finished 10th on the stage whilst I finished with Jeremy. Tom and Sven got through the day...arms the same sizes.

Stage 7: Xining-Xunhua

After turning a blind eye to all the car slinging yesterday, the officials were determined to put a stop to it, and also the DS fights in the convoy. Today was a long stage at 200km and it was warm, but we all rugged up as we were told it was raining down the road. It didn't rain and we were all as dry as chips and as salty come the finish.

Jeremy got into a move of four and ZVVZ gave them a bit of slack. The first 100km was all slightly downhill and the break built their lead to five minutes. The last 100km was undulating with a cat 2 climb along the way which whittled the bunch down to a group of 30. Glen and I were still in the group and feeling ok.

Up front the Italian rider from Naturino was sitting on as Chris Baldwin from Navigators was threatening his teammates' position in GC. He told the other riders in the break that he would not sprint. On the last climb he attacked the other three after sitting on for 130km and rode away to win by a few seconds. Jeremy rode well to finish third on the stage and pick up some coin. Suffice to say the other riders in the break were furious with the dog attack pulled by Naturino but what are you gonna do. Some of the guys and DS's almost came to blows, and it made for interesting water cooler talk that night.

Glen and I finished in the bunch and I crossed the line 24th, getting a little more coin. All the other guys finished the stage safely. Had a spectactular drive through a gorge to our hotel, one I wont forget for a while.

Stage 8: Xunhua-Xining

Last of the hard stages with three climbs along the way. First one after 20km was 30km long. Roll was to get into a break and try and set something up for Glen. He only had to move up two places and his pay cheque would double but with all the car hanging...

Jeremy and Glen got away and by the climb built a lead of five minutes, but then Ryan Cox and others lit it up and got away. Once again I had to let go and got into a good strong group. Glen was soon caught by some of the attackers and he continued to race aggressively all the way home. Me, I was having mechanical trouble and could not get my big chain ring. Big thanks goes to Mr James Nitis and Brian Stephens of the Aussie team for helping me out as much as possible and trying to sort the problem out. Nothing like James Nitis hanging between your legs at 70km/h. A quick chat to Sean Sullivan about "Monkey Magic" and co on the climb we then headed down the hill for the 50km home. My mechanical problem was fixed temporarliy but it came back and I was swapping off on the way home in the 39x12.

Up front with Glen all was looking good for him to move up but over the last 20km their lead dwindled and at the finish it was only a minute to the chasing bunch. Glen was sixth and stayed in 17th by one second. Finished the stage with Sven and Jeremy in the chase group.

Stage 9: Xining-Datong-Xining

Last stage of the race. 160 trip put of Xining to Datong for a quick glimpse of the wall and then back to Xining via a 15km climb. Again we attacked early trying to get something going. ZVVZ were not happy with the attacks saying that you are not allowed on the last stage. Mate, it is not the Tour de France. Eventually after all our trying Ryhs Pollock, Sean Sullivan and Jeremy Maertens got away and were allowed to hve their day in the sun. They built a lead of 7min and were never going to be caught.

Bunch life was pretty uneventful. Glen had a good go on the climb and was away for 30km and caught two other attackers - Phil Thuaux (Wismilak) and James Meadley (Aussie U/23). With 10km to go they were caught. I was feeling ok and going to have a go in the sprint but with 3km to go I punctured and rolled in last on the stage in front of thousands of people. Sven had a go and placed 19th on the stage and topped up our team kitty for the race. Everybody else finished safely in the bunch and Glen finished a good tour to place 17th.

The tour was a great experience. I knew I was going to suffer with the altitude but everybody was in the same boat and I gave it a good go. Stomach held up ok to the food although there were a few near misses walking back from the restaurant each night. Next time I might pack a big box of Baked Beans or something, a la Shane Warne (minus a mobile phone sex scandal). All in all a good two weeks were had.

So what is next? Off to Hungary for a six day tour. We performed well there last year with Phil winning a stage and second overall whilst Cody won the final stage. Everybody that is going is performing well at the moment so should be a successful one. Kane, Cody and Hamish are making the trip along with me, Leigh and Glen from the Qinghai Lake team.

In the meantime the guys have been working out their trinkets that they bought in China and I gave myself a haircut with Dan's new clippers. They are a little different with different settings and I got going on the setting I thought was the right one. Ahh no, wrong setting. I am now applying sun screen to my head for the first time in my life. Got a few laughs!

Till next time we meet,

Cameron