602nds

Bronzini has an impressive palmares that includes gold medals at both track and road World Championships. At 28 years of age, Bronzini has claimed 67 victories and the 2012 London Olympics will be her third Olympic games in her young career. The achievements of this star of both track and road cycling are a feat that many current professional male and female cyclists would love to call their own.

At the World Track Championships in Melbourne, 602nds caught up with a disappointed Bronzini who unfortunately did not qualify for the final of the Points Race in which she claimed victory in Pruszkow, Poland, 2009. Despite this minor setback, she remained optimistic and focused on winning her third UCI World Road Championship in 2012.

602nds: What is your main goal for the 2012 road cycling season?
Bronzini: The London Olympic Game. 

602nds: 2012 is an Olympic year. Is winning an Olympic gold medal a higher priority for you than the World Championships or is winning both your ultimate achievement?
Bronzini: It will be a dream to win the gold medal at the London Olympics; for now that is my priority.

602nds: You have won the World Road Championships two years in a row, are you confident that you can win a third? What are your thoughts on the course?
Bronzini: I will try but the lap this year will be too hard for me but I will be there to defend my title.

602nds: The Italian road team is a team that works well together and also have a lot of fun when off the bike. How important to you were the other riders in the team in you winning the World Championships twice?
Bronzini: We are very professional in that race and we respect the rules and we leave the” problems” that can be present during the season and try to keep the one objective (to win the World Championship).

602nds: You are also a very successful track rider; 2001 Junior Points Race and 2009 Points Race World Champion.  What are your goals for 2012 on the track? Will you be hoping to ride on the track at the London Olympics?
Bronzini: There is no space for the Italian riders on track at Olympics, so after the Worlds Track Championships I will finish riding on the road for the rest of the year.

602nds: At the moment women’s cycling seems to be struggling with races being cancelled due to a lack of sponsorship.  Women’s cycling simply doesn’t get as much attention as men’s cycling. Why do you think this is the case and how do you think this can be improved?
Bronzini: I fight for our (women) cycling but it is a hard war!

602nds: Has this changed since you started racing? Has it become worse or better in the last few years?
Bronzini: Yes it has changed, it is better now but we are so far from having the same as the men do.

602nds: What has been your proudest moment on the bike?
Bronzini: For sure the last 2 Worlds but overall 2011 was the proudest moment of my career.  

602nds: What is your long term goal for your cycling career?
Bronzini: I would like to try to win a medal at an Olympic Games.

602nds: Where did your passion for cycling come from? Is there someone who inspired you to become a cyclist?
Bronzini: No one person gave me the passion. I decided to start because I was with my father to see children’s race and I saw this strange bike and thought I would like to try it.

602nds: What is your pre-race preparation; any superstitions or rituals?
Bronzini: I just joke and have fun with my team mates… For stress, a smile on my face is the best for me.

602nds: If at the end of the season I came and spoke to you and asked you how your 2012 Cycling year was for you what would you like to be able to tell me?
Bronzini: It’s a surprise…I have my secrets!

602nds: If you could invite 5 past or present riders to Dinner at your place who would you invite and why and what would you cook?
Bronzini: Zilute, Longhin, Bellutti, Rosner, Van Morsel… All because for me they are important riders that gave me important moments and some that give me our experience! For dinner a good glass of wine and some meat and fish, so I can serve good options for choice! And for sure a sweet cake!

602nds wishes Giorgia all the best at the London Olympics and UCI World Championships this year. You can keep track of what Giorgia is up to by following her on Twitter or at her Official Website.

Photos courtesy of Giorgia’s Website & CJFoto

How did your signing to the OCBC Singapore Continental Cycling Team team come about?

I knew Daniel, the team DS, through a different cycling channel. I got word that he was looking for a sprinter, backed myself to be able to fill that role and applied. After a month or so Daniel got back to me and told me I was successful. I could not believe what I was reading the day it came in, my mind was blank all save a huge “WOW!”

How is it being the sole Australian on the team?

As I’m the one coming into an Asian team the onus is really on me to adapt to all that comes with the Asian culture and therefore how they choose to run a team. There has been a lot of learning, but to experience something so far removed from what I have grown up with I feel can only be positive. The flip side is that a lot of Aussie expressions, humour and even my accent gets lost in translation (in spite of everyone on the team speaking English). I’m trying to work a bit of it in (Vegemite is one, but it’s a bit of a losing battle with all but one of my team mates), but reality is I have to think a little before I do some things. Again, goes back to onus being on me to adapt and try to be as respectful to their culture as I can.

What have been your impressions of the cycling culture in Asian countries?

It is certainly on the rise. In spite of the size of Singapore (and the traffic!) it’s immensely popular. However to avoid all the cars it’s not uncommon for my team mates (when back home) to be up and riding by 4:30 in the morning! I thought I had it rough back home when I had to meet a 5:30 bunch, the boys take it to the next level. In a lot of ways though they are foced in to it, as not only does the traffic get crazy but the heat and humidity kicks in. So they are all early risers!

You had the opportunity to race in the Tour of Langkawi UCI sanctioned event. Apart from the disappointment of withdrawing due to illness, how was the experience?

Overwhelmingly I felt a huge sense of honour. Coming into the team and to be given a spot on what is arguably the biggest race at present in Asia was huge. Then to be rolling along in the peloton alongside guys like Alexander Vinokourov, Dave Zabriskie and Andre Guardini (the latter two I actually spent a bit of time with, given we’re all on about the same level of climbing ‘prowess’) was incredible. Also gave me a bit of self-belief and got me to think I might actually be able to race at this level. Was also great chatting to riders of different nationalities (anyone who knows me knows I love a chat). A few of the Farnese Vini guys were great and struggled along with my very poor Italian. Still managed to have a chat about their bikes and the race, which was great.

Funniest was probably with Vino, was next to him and near the back on the day the peloton was at full gas (Stage 3 I think) for the final 30km to pull back the break. I laughed and said to him “crazy finish eh” and he laughed back “good tempo”. We were doing between 55-60km/h! Flat road. Fun times!

The OCBC Singapore Continental Cycling Team is the new kid on the bloke. What are the teams and your goals for 2012?

We are really hoping to get ourselves noticed and some podiums. Loh Sea Keong has come into the team, not only did he have a great Langkawi but has also really helped instil an aim that whenever breaks go we want to have someone covering it. That way at the very least we’re getting the sponsor’s name out there but also making sure we’re in a position to possibly be in the mix for the finish.

I read that none of the riders are paid an allowance. How does a man survive?

It’s tough. When I was confirmed for the team I started saving like mad, which is what is getting me by at the moment. It’s been said many times and is very true, you don’t get into cycling to get rich. Which is fine by me, as I feel there’s no real ‘mercenaries’, everyone is in the sport and racing because they love it and have a real passion. Besides which, without that you get found out pretty quickly.

Singapore is big for karaoke, have you belted out any Cold Chisel tunes as yet?

Haha! Funny you say that. Had the iPod in a week or so ago and Driving Wheels came on (yes, I know it’s not Cold Chisel but still Jimmy!). Anyway, figured no one knows me or the song so belted it out at the top of my lungs. Was pretty cathartic! And because I’m not in Australia my logic said it doesn’t make me a bogan.

You are obviously a rider who had a dream to race with a pro team, any advice for a young kid with a similar vision?

Never, ever, take no for an answer. I had it a lot and am still getting it, but made a vow to never let it get me down. Like the saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Take stock of what approach you took, look at what you think went wrong, and try, try again.

Who was your favourite rider growing up?

I was pretty late getting into cycling, only started watching a bit in the late 90’s and didn’t get ‘fully’ intoit until mid 2000’s. Boonen and Stuie O’Grady were two I looked up to. And after the 2008 Milan San-Remo Fabian. Favourite would still be Fabian now. That said, there are so many Aussie riders who leave me in awe. From Cam Meyer to local guys like Tom Leper and my local club president John Burtt. The latter of which is pushing 60, yet still rides open men’s and still has a very good kick on him. He was in fact the main man who got me in to racing, encouraged me to push myself and keeps my feet on the ground – so I have a lot to be very thankful to him for.

What’s next on your calendar?

Tour of Philippines, starting on the 14^th of April. It’s taking an incredible 3 flights to get there from our base here in Chiang Mai. I’m really starting to appreciate why sportsmen and women really have a dislike for airports…

Do you have a favourite ride back home in Australia?

Anything along the Great Ocean Road. I’m pretty spoiled to have such an incredible coast line at my disposal for training. The best rides are along there with the boys on an easy day. This normally follows a big night – so lots of talk about the antics we got up to.

You and three guests of your choice sit down at Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling…who are the guests and why?

Tom Waits would certainly be first choice. Dig his tunes and he seems like a crazy cat. Plus he tells some great tales on stage and loves a drink, so makes perfect sense to have him along.

Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets. They come as a double act, so by my reckoning they count as one. Whenever I’m feeling a little down and need a laugh I pop some of their clips on YouTube on, hilarity ensures.

Monica Bellucci. She would not need to say a word. What a woman.

To follow Nick’s progress then check out either the official team website or follow Nick on Twitter

Australia had another opportunity to increase their medal tally with Anna Meares being the stand-out favourite in the 500m Time Trial. As Meares ‘pet’ race, the crowd were certainly backing her for the win which she did; smashing the World Record set by Simona Krupeckaite (LTU) in 2009 with a final time of 33.010 and an average speed of 54.528km/h! Last night there were Twitters of Meares to lead the Australian Olympic team; tonight to lead the country as Prime Minister! Miriam Welte (GER) took out the silver and Jessica Varnish (GBR) the bronze.

The men’s Keirin, involving Sir Chris Hoy (GBR), Jason Kenny (GBR), Maximilian Levy (GER) and Simon Van Velthooven (NZL) was set to be a nail-biter with the gold up for grabs and potentially belonging to any one of these top riders. Levy led the way but Hoy showed explosive power in the final stages of the race, crossing the line for a photo finish. Commissaires confirmed Hoy had grabbed the gold, Levy finishing with the silver and Kenny in the bronze position. Van Velthooven was relegated for entering the sprinters lane when the opponent was already there.

With only one event left to race, Australia and Great Britain were tied at the top of the medal tally. Could Australia make the break with gold medal hopefuls, Cameron Meyer (AUS) and Leigh Howard (AUS) reclaiming the championship in the men’s 50km Madison?

After sprint 7/10 the standings were: AUT (4) +1, BEL 19, GBR 13, AUS 7, RUS 5. Clearly our boys had some work to do. After sprint 8/10 we had edged our way into third position (9) behind Belgium (19) and Great Britain (16). Although gaining points over the remaining sprint laps, Australia did not contest the final sprint with the Belgians proving too strong taking with win with a total of 24 points ahead of Great Britain silver, and Howard and Meyer bronze.

No complaints here though as 602nds, for the first time, have witnessed a highly successful and entertaining World Track Championship event. The 2013 World Championships are to be held in Minsk, Belarus where the Australian’s are certain to top their medal tally of 6 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze! Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

"Rohan Dennis - Individual Pursuit"

“Great Britain watching behind’

"Sir Chris Hoy"

"Jack Bobridge - Individual Pursuit"

"Fatehah Mustapa - Kieran"

"Cameron meyer kisses the taste of gold'

"World Champion legs'

"Gregory Bauge"

"Anna Meares - Keiran"

Photos courtesy of JXPPhotography

"Men's Omnium - Kilo'

"Ed Clancy"

“Anna Meares & Victoria Pendleton crash”

"Women's Omnium - Scratch Race Finish"

"Victoria Pendleton crash"

"Sir Chris Hoy"

"Women's Omnium - Scratch Race"

"Shane Perkins"

"Melissa Hoskins"

"World Champion, Gregory Bauge"

Photos courtesy of JXPPhotography

The Australian team continued their quest for gold when National and now World Champion, Michael Hepburn (AUS) edged out Jack Bobridge (AUS) in what was an exciting sprint for gold in the men’s Individual Pursuit race. It was a disappointment for Rohan Dennis (AUS) in the race for bronze being won by Westley Gough (NZL).

It was a field of dreams for the British in the men’s sprint race with some of their top guns all vying for the opportunity to qualify for the finals and fight it out for a place on the podium. However, disappointment followed when World and Olympic champion, Chris Hoy (GBR) failed to qualify for the race for gold, instead battling it out against Australia’s Shane Perkins for bronze. Despite the home crowd support and a fantastic effort by Perkins, the Aussie was defeated.

With Hoy out of contention the British hopes for gold now rode on the back of Jason Kenny (GBR) who would face France’s powerhouse, Gregory Bauge (FRA). It was a gutsy ride by Kenny who led from the gun and crossed the line in first position. However, the decision as to who would be crowned World Champion rested in the hands of commissaires with Kenny relegated for infringing the sprinting line.

With so much nail-biting excitement and at times, controversial decision-making one could only wonder if the night could get any more interesting. With the final of the men’s points race (40km) still to be decided Australia’s hopes for gold rested on Cameron Meyer (AUS). Leading for the majority of the race, Ben Swift (GBR) had his eye on the top podium position. It was when Meyer, coming at him from behind with such force and determination, managed to lap the field, gaining the 20 bonus points and taking out the final sprint in the race. The crowd waited in nervous anticipation as points were tallied. The applause and support for Meyer was deafening when it was finally announced that by one point he was World Champion.  Silver went to Ben Swift (GBR) and bronze to Kenny De Ketele (BEL). 

With the emotions running high from tonight’s races, we are sure to be on the edge of our seats for the last of the finals tomorrow.

"Gold Medal Podium for cameron"

'The emotion of winning gold"

Photos courtesy of JXPPhotography.

"Anna Meares"

“Victoria Pendleton”

"Victoria Pendleton Sprint Quarter Final"

"Victoria Pendleton"

"New Zealand Women's Team Pursuit"

"Great Britain Women's Team Pursuit"

"Glenn O'Shea"

"Glenn O'Shea - Points Race"

"Anna Meares Sprint Quarter Final"

"Total concentration"

Photos courtesy of JXPPhotography..

"Anna Meares & Kaarle McCulloch"

"World Champs"

"Sir Chris Hoy"

"Shane Perkins"

"Great Britain Men's Team Pursuit"

"Ben Swift"

"Australian Men's Team Sprint"

"Hard work on the sideline"

"Kaarle McCulloch"

 

The 602nds team would like to thank Jarrod of jxpphotography for providing     supporting images of all the action at the 2012 UCI World Track Cycling Championships. 

 jxpphotography is a Melbourne based sports photographer, dedicated to capturing the very best in local and international sporting events. 

Working with some of the biggest names in sports media, Jarrod is a passionate sports fan but specializes  in cycling photos; track, road and time trials capturing the pain, the triumph and the pressure. 

The Friday evening session kicked off with Melissa Hoskins (AUS) scooping silver in the women’s 10km Scratch race. Hoskins looked to be the favourite for the win but when Katarzyna Pawlowska (POL) exploded out of nowhere the gold was soon out of sights for the Aussie.

Australia was still in with a chance for gold however with Anna Meares qualifying for the Women’s Sprint ½ Final. Pipped on the line by Victoria Pendleton (GBR), Anna was squeezed out of the gold medal race. Anna managed to secure a bronze against Lyubov Shulika (UKR) and shared the celebrations with her proud parents who congratulated her from the crowd.

Such celebrations weren’t shared however in the race for gold. The crowd let their disappointment be known when Simona Krupeckaite (LTU), after defeating Pendleton, was relegated for not holding her line, handing over the World Championship to Pendleton… With triumph too often there are tears.

Such is the unpredictable nature of cycling that Thursday brought more heartache for the Italian team. Two times World Champion Giorgio Bronzini spoke of her World Championships upset to 602nds. “I am very sad and angry as I had trained well and was feeling good. I was very happy with my training and came here very hopeful” Bronzini said after missing out on a medal in the women’s Points race. Bronzini remains positive and will now focus on road racing and winning her third consecutive UCI World Road Championship and gold at the London Olympics.

Adding to their woes was Elia Viviani’s shock exit from the men’s Omnium final. The young star of the track and Olympic hopeful was forced to retire due to injury sustained to his pelvis in the qualifying round yesterday evening. Speaking briefly with 602nds, Viviani told of a suspected fractured pelvis and his immediate return to Italy for rest and recovery. The emotion shown on Viviani’s face spoke louder than words as we too shared in his disappointment of not having the opportunity to gain more points towards Olympic qualification. Speculation is rife as to whether his dreams of Olympic gold will be realised having not confirmed whether he has enough points to qualify.

But… so quickly do things change in the crazy world of Track Cycling that as we write we learnt of Glen O’Shea’s (AUS) win in the men’s Omnium final with Edward Clancey (GBR) grabbing gold in the Time Trial!

602nds wishes all the athletes the best of luck as finals continue at Hinsene Area tomorrow evening with the Omnium, Individual Pursuit, Keirin, Sprint and Point race finals. Highlights include Chris Hoy (GBR) and Robert Forstemann (GER) battling it out for gold in the men’s Sprint final.  

Until next time, enjoy the cycling!

Tara & Tara for 602nds

Colin, although a cycling fan from a young age, didn’t become involved in the sport competitively until unforeseen circumstances lead to unforeseen outcomes. Whilst playing Rugby Colin endured a significant injury which resulted in ongoing surgeries, which eventually led to the amputation of his leg. It wasn’t until 2008, at the age of 37 and after cycling 300 miles from London to Paris to raise money for charity that Colin made the transition from ‘Amputee’ to ‘Paracyclist.’ Since then Colin has amassed an impressive palmarès.

Having won gold medals in the C2 Time Trial at the UCI Paracycling Road World Championships and in the Pursuit at the Track World Championships in Denmark, 2011 and California, 2012 respectively, Colin, in the final of the Men’s C2 three kilometre Pursuit, beat China’s World Record holder Gui Hua Liang and secured what would be his greatest accomplishment to date; a dual World Champion in both road and track cycling arenas.

602nds: Who is Colin Lynch?  How did you get started?  What motivated you to ride competitively?
Colin: For me, it all started when I was 15 years old watching Greg LeMond win the ’86 Tour de France. It was the first time I had ever seen professional cycling and something about it just made me want to ride a bike. I started racing later that year.

602nds: Where did your overall passion for cycling come from? Is there someone who inspired you to become a cyclist?
Colin: I rode a bike (like most kids) from an early age. As I mentioned before, it was [by] watching LeMond win the Tour that got me interested in the sport competitively. After I lost my leg, cycling was one of the only sports I could still do at a high level despite my injury. So it’s something that I gravitated back to naturally.

602nds: What was the path that you took to become a Paracycling World Champion?
Colin: A few years ago I was working at British Cycling and got to meet many of their Paralympic cyclists. This was just prior to them departing for the Beijing Paralympics. It really opened my eyes to what was possible and available for ‘disabled’ cyclists. About a year later I got in touch with the Irish Paracycling team and they gave me a trial. I raced for them a few times that year and while I didn’t get great results, it gave me a taste. I doubled my efforts in the following years and finally had my breakthrough year in 2011 – winning the Time Trial World Championship.

602nds: What is your main goal in cycling for the 2012 season?
Colin: Despite 2012 being a Paralympic year, I actually have several goals this year. The first was to win a World Championship on the track which I did in February in Los Angeles. I also would like to win the overall World Cup series on the road and the big one is to win 2 gold medals in London.

602nds: What is your long term goal for your cycling career?
Colin: I would love to win a road race World Championship title before I give it all up, so that I have the full set of jerseys (road, track, time trial). And to win at least one gold medal in the Paralympics. If I can hold onto my fitness long enough, I’d also like to compete in Rio in 2016.

602nds: How did you feel when you were up on the podium putting on the Rainbow Jersey? What were you thinking?
Colin: It all feels a little surreal when it’s happening. There’s definitely a worry for me that someone is going to come along and tell me they made a mistake and that I haven’t won! It usually takes a few hours before it all sets in. And then the realization that you’re going to have to work even harder to win another one comes along and you get to work planning on how to do that.

602nds: You ride both Road and Track cycling events. Which event do you find most enjoyable and why?
Colin: I find the road more interesting. Just being outdoors watching the scenery go by is far more interesting that following a black line in a circle on the track. My favourite event is actually the road race, despite me being really poor at it!

602nds: You are aiming to ride both the Track and Time Trial at London 2012 Paralympics; Is the training and preparation different?
Colin: In London my 2 target events are the time trial and the individual pursuit on the track. The training for both these events is similar and can be done at the same time. If you look at a rider like Bradley Wiggins who came from a track background and is one of the best TT riders in the world, you can see how the skills overlap.

602nds: What is your pre-race preparation? Do you have any superstitions or rituals?
Colin: Nothing special. I like to eat a bowl of porridge a few hours before a race and then just go through a set warm-up routine on my turbo trainer. Consistency is the key.

602nds: If you could invite 5 past or present riders to dinner at your place? Who would you invite, & why? And what would you cook?
Colin: Obviously – Greg LeMond. Also – Fabian Cancellara, Philippe Gilbert, Chris Boardman and Stephen Roche. The modern guys because they are my 2 favourites and the older guys because of the influence they have had on the sport (and still do in some ways). As for what I would make? My signature dish: Beef Wellington.

602nds: Imagine your iPod is broken and can only play one song continuously. What would it be?
Colin: I sometimes put this song on repeat when I warm up, so it’s almost like the iPod is broken! Rock Star by N.E.R.D.  Something about it just gets my heart beating faster and ready to race.

602nds: Are you a skinny latte, soy latte, full cream latte, flat white or double shot espresso type of cyclist?
Colin: Given the choice, I’m actually a mocha man. But when I stop for a coffee at a cafe in Majorca on a training run, it’s a café con leche for me (flat white).

602nds: What are some of the things you have had to sacrifice for hours of rigorous training? Do you ever regret any of this?
Colin: The volume of training (in a normal year) isn’t actually all the much. In an Olympic year though, the demands go up, especially as you have to prepare for both the road and the track. I have a limited social life but it isn’t really a big sacrifice. The biggest thing you have to give up – is food. At least food that isn’t good for you! I (mostly) gave up alcohol years ago, so that wasn’t a problem for me now.

602nds:  It’s the end of the season and I have the opportunity to ask how the 2012 Cycling year was for you; What would you like to be able to tell your fans?
Colin: I would say it was the best year of my life! Double World and Paralympic Champion. What’s not to like!

602nds: What has been your proudest moment on the bike?
Colin: It was my first win on the International level when I won a gold medal in the time trial in a World Cup race in Australia last year. I beat the reigning World Champion that day for the first time (and it was the start of a string of victories against him). It proved that I belonged at that level and gave me the confidence to go on and continue to win.

Keep up to date on Colin’s latest achievements on Twitter @TTworldchamp or read his blog at http://637daystogo.blogspot.com

Follow Colin at the 2012 London Paralympics, from 29 August – 9 September 2012. You can find out more information at the 2012 Paralympic Official Site.

602nds would like to thank Colin for taking the time to chat with us and we wish him a successful 2012 and hope that his dreams of Olympic Gold come true.

Photos courtesy of Colin Lynch