Christophe Manchon 2012 National Tri series winner
Christophe Manchon recently won his age group in the 2012 National Triathlon Series. The series consists of three Olympic Distance races over the course of the season (Geelong, Mooloolaba and Sydney triathlons) and while Christophe didn't have an individual race win, his consistency across all 3 races was enough to give him the top spot.
Christophe also won the Gatorade Queensland Triathlon Series for 2011-12 and has recently been selected to represent Australia at the 2012 ITU World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Auckland in October.
http://www.puresport.net.au/ps-team/australia-nz/team-puresport-triathlon/christophe-manchon
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Saddle choice
Saddle discomfort!
Athletes continue to suffer major saddle discomfort whilst training and racing without considering that there are options available to reduce pain, discomfort and improve performance at the same time. They continue to suffer soft tissue injury as a result and often sit slightly sideways on the saddle without knowing it. This can ultimately cause the pelvis to rotate, shortening or lengthening one leg as a result.
I would estimate that discomfort and pelvis rotation during training or racing to cost the athlete 2-3 watts in overall performance and ultimately add to possible soft tissue injury and muscle tightness. Manufacturers now offer saddles in various sizes to suit the individual’s needs. I recommend ISM Adamo, Selle SMP and Bontrager saddles as being the best saddles on the market to assist in reducing soft tissue injury, while increasing overall comfort and performance.
Supporting Smiddy 2012
Reviewing your training progress
By now you should be out riding a minimum four times each week with two of those rides back to back on the weekend. Coming into a Smiddy event underdone is not an enjoyable experience. You still have time to prepare. Throw in a regular session at Activ Cycles and make use of their excellent facilities - ask for the Smiddy course! I encourage you to make next Sunday's training day, as it is a good measure of how your fitness is placed. If you want to discuss your training call me on 0421 887 388.
Fundraising opportunity
Arrivederci Pizzeria (Park Rd, Milton) is supporting Smiddy with a greatly discounted rate for fundraising functions. If you wish to conduct a fundraising event contact me and I'll team you up with another Smiddy rider or two to make it a successful event. We also have an event checklist and templates to help get the most from your event.
Are you comfortable on the bike?
We recommend and use Gary Land of Pro Bike Fit. Check out his website probikefit.com.au or phone Gary on 0417 300 393. Gary will not only give you the best fit in town but has reduced the price for this two hour session from $300 to $200 for Smiddy riders only. That $100 is yours to donate back into your fundraising tally or back into your own pocket. It is your choice.
Jindabyne Training Camp
Over the Easter weekend I was joined by seven riders, five being Smiddy riders, for an epic five days of high mountain cycling that saw the group ride over 500kms and climb in excess of 8000 metres. You can read about this fantastic trip on my blog at http://marksharkysmoothy.blogspot.com.au/
Bike servicing
Make sure your bike is newly serviced with tyres in good condition for the next training ride. We have two great mechanics supporting Smiling for Smiddy. Both are excellent mobile mechanics and can have your bike serviced and running like new. Book in via their website and mention you are a Smiddy rider for discounted rates:
· Jimmy Accomb @ Bikeology on www.bikeology.com.au
· Toby Hood @ Northside Bicycle Mechanics on www.northsidebicyclemechanics.com.au
Please hit reply and RSVP now for both the 22 April and Warwick training events.
Stay safe on the bike.
Mark 'Sharky' Smoothy
Smiling for Smiddy
Follow Probikefit on Facebook
Join me on Facebook for weekly tips on Cycling position and the prevention of common cycling injuries.
This week Pedal technique is still being over looked as the first place to improve your cycling performance. By pedalling through the ball of your foot rather than through your heel not only with you generate more power you stabilize your knee and improve cadence.Do not let your heels go lower than your pedal axel from A to B in the pedal rotation.
Kristian Manietta
Kristian from http://www.trispecific.com/ dropped was in the studio today fine tunning his 650c Wheel Kestrel.
Check out Kristian article on Hip and Lower back dysfunction You can download the full article here: R4YL_038_Addressing Hip and Lower Back Dysfunction
4 Steps to a Faster Run read on by Kristian
... MoreSmiddy Challenge 2012
I hope the new year has started well for you. We're looking ahead to a big year for Smiling for Smiddy and it's great to have you as part of the team. I want to keep you up to date with some important points below:
Training Ride #1
Our first group training ride is set for Sunday 19 February. The ride will depart at 5.30am from Adam Smiddy Park, Park Rd, Milton (view map). Expect about four hours and 100 kilometres of cycling. It's a great opportunity to meet your fellow riders and see where you're at fitness wise. To help us plan for expected numbers please RSVP via reply email if you plan to join us for the first training ride. For riders outside Brisbane aim to complete a minimum of 100 kilometres over flatter terrain, hills aren't necessary at this stage.
Rider photos
All riders are to be featured on the Smiddy website with a link to their fundraising page. Could you please email a picture of yourself to Tim.Russell@mater.org.au no later than Monday 13 February. This will allow donors to find you online and allow us to present the riding team to our supporters.
A good Start to 2012
A Good Start To The 2011-12 Season With PureSport
Posted on 17 Jan 2012
All things considered it’s been a promising start to the 2011-12 triathlon season. I had been doing a lot of bike riding in the off-season, culminating in the State Championships Individual Time Trial and Teams Time Trial in September.
The ITT was a disaster, where I punctured 2km in. The TTT went a little more smoothly, with a 5th place finish and only 4 minutes behind the winners over the tough 80km course.
I have been using the PureSport Workout and Recovery products for over 6 months now, and have really noticed the benefits of the Recovery product in terms of my ability to back up after key sessions.
However, in the TTT the Workout formula really came in to its own. I decided to take on the 80km with 2 bottles of Workout only, rather than the usual combination of gels and water. Amazingly I felt better the further I went, and was able to really drive the pace over the back end of the 80km, whereas the other guys (who were all using gels) started to fade.
I was also on a new bike for the TTT, courtesy of Merida. It’s the first time I’ve had a time trial bike, and the new Black Knight is fast, super-responsive and enables a great aero position. It has already made a huge difference to my 40km time and just keeps feeling better the more I ride it. Thanks to Gary Land (www.probikefit.com.au) for the fit up and Merida for such a great product.
... MoreRichard Thompson
After I arrived home from Japan, I went up to Peregian and had a two hour meeting with Kristian. What came out of that meeting was not only the lessons learnt from the race but how we were going to be successful in Cozumel. Effectively we broke it down into two areas – physical and mental. Preparing well in both areas allows us to handle anything on race day.
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Richard Thompson Japan Sept 2011
An extreamly disappointing day at the office. Out of the water in 5th, off the bike in 3rd and suffered a 1000 deaths in the oven that was the run to trundle home in 8th spot. Words can't come close to how grateful I am to have my number one supporter here with me. Thanks for everyone’s support back home.
We all have bad days, if only I was as fast as Richard on my bad days, I would still be happy. Another great result for Richard @ the Japan Iron Man 2011
... MoreRichard Thompson Yeppoon Aug 2011
Richard Thompson – Professional Ironman Triathlete
3rd Overall – Yeppoon Ironman 70.3
After spending all of July in Lake Tahoe, California, we decided to race Ironman 70.3 Yeppoon to see where my race fitness was compared to the strong professional field assembled.
Despite supremely calm weather leading up to the race, we woke up Sunday morning at the Capricorn Resort to very windy and damp conditions. The ocean had become very rough, a stark difference to the glass like conditions, 24 hours prior. We did the usual 1.7km walk down the beach to the race start and got the warm up out of the way.... More
Cairns Iron Man 2011
November last year myself and 5 of my mates decided to undertake the challenge of an Iron distance event and tagged Challenge Cairns as the one for us. A winter triathlon in North Queensland had more than enough appeal to capture our attention. All of us are amateurs but we had competed in many triathlons between the 6 of us, but this was most definitely a few steps above what we had all achieved in the past though. After making this decision we all decided to speak with Richard Thompson from T:Zero Performance Coaching and next thing you know, we all had a coach.
In the initial stages of the training, I struggled with an ITB injury throughout my rides and on my runs. Richard’s advice to me was to see Gary from Probikefit to get fitted on my bike correctly. I was obviously not in an acceptable endurance position on the bike prior to the Probikefit session. After some fairly important alterations to my original ‘bike shop’ setup, I felt better than I had ever felt on the bike and it showed in my training times and subsequent lead-up race times. I took back pain, neck pain and knee pain as unavoidable for endurance riding sessions, little did I know that it didn’t have to be that way! A little closer to the race I purchased a new TT bike and had it sized up with Gary after a couple of weeks, once again the difference in setup helped with comfort and performance. In the end all 6 of us saw Gary and all of us reported similar significant improvements.... More
Pro Bike Fit riders
Pro Bike Fit customers improve and often achieve PB's within weeks of a Bike fitting session with Gary Land
Gary
Thanks for your set-up on my TT bike (P4) and on my road bike (Time RXR). I did my best time at Mooloolaba 2011 Triathlon (1 hour 28 seconds including transition) which was the third fastest time out of 6,000 competitors. Average speed 41k with a 25 knot headwind on the way home. The bike is more comfortable and feels faster and best of all goes faster. I was hesitant to change my road bike which had been set up by another Bicylce Fitter. It has been an extremely comfortable bike and I was very happy with the set up, but now I have gone from a 90mm stem to 120mm stem the bike feels faster and at the Mount Cootha Challenge I did my best time (8.41) for the timed 2.1k climb. Thank you for your help I found your set up very professional and informative and since both bikes have been changed my performances have improved, I have no problem referring Pro Bike Fit to any of my friends.
Craig
... MoreMarion Summerer
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sydney World Champs - USM events report
10 April 2011
Sydney’s David Clark and Germany’s Marion Summerer (bicycle position by Pro Bike Fit) both celebrated victory at the inaugural Dextro Energy Triathlon Sydney age group race in perfect conditions earlier today.
In the women’s field, Germany’s Marion Summerer dominated in the cycle leg after coming out of the water behind Sydney’s Lisa Marangon and held on in the run to cross the line in first position.
“I feel like I had a good race, I haven’t raced in a while so I was pretty relaxed and calm, I had no expectations which is usually the best. I was just concentrating on finishing,” said Summerer.... More
World Track Omnium Champion 2011
Michael Freiberg has smashed into the 2011 World track rankings with a solid win in the 2011 World Track Championships.
Michael moved to the overall lead and the eventual omnium gold medal with a smartly-executed scratch race and solid individual pursuit, overtaking the young French two-time junior world champion Bryan Coquard who led at the end of day one.
Michael currently rides for the USA based Fly V Australia cycling team, Gary from Probikefit is very proud to have been able to assist Michael with his road bike position.
... MoreOceania Cycling Championships
Probikefit rider Darcy Rosenlund has had a great weekend finishing 4th in Elite men @ the Oceania Cycling Championships in Shepparton Victoria, only 11 of 41-man field finishing the race.
Darcy called into the Probikefit studio last Tuesday to talk to Gary and fine tune his position on his new Team bike before heading to the race in Victoria. Darcy rides for the National Budget Forklift team, you can follow the teams race calendar by going to http://www.budgetforklifts.com.au/budLift_calendar.php
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2011 Huskisson NSW Long Course Championships
7th Overall - 2011 Huskisson NSW Long Course Championships
At 6:30am the race director informed us that the professionals were not allowed to wear wetsuits for the swim. I was a little disappointed at their decision however, as I was wearing my brand new Skinfit Plasma tri suit, I knew I still had a great advantage. The hooter sounded, albeit 20mins late, and we were underway. I got off to a great start and felt in control of my stroke. I found feet early but after 500m I soon realised that the athlete that I was following wasn’t keeping up with the leaders. At the first buoy I had a look and saw the leaders were 50m ahead and was annoyed that I didn’t notice earlier in the swim. Despite numerous attempts to go after them, I succumbed to the fact that I was going to be playing catch up all day.
Henk Vogels coaching Services
Cycling - Coaching - Public Speaking - Team Building - Training Camps - Motivation - Corporate - Tours
Henk Vogels has been involved in cycling for most of his life, turning Pro from the age of 15, Henk rode for some of the best teams in the world over the next 14 years including: Rabobank, Gan, Credit Agricol , Mercury, Navigators, Lotto Davitamon and Toyota United .
"If you want to take it easy as a cyclist I would recommend
that you don't let Henk Vogels coach you..." Dr. David T. Martin (AIC) Read More...
Hell of the West 2011 Goondiwindi
Hell of the West 2011 - Richard Thompson- First place - Pro Bike Fit Race Report The end of January meant only one thing – the annual road trip to Goondiwindi for the Hell of the West Triathlon. Due to the heat out west, it is an early start with transition opening at 3.30am. The recent flooding of the local river meant the race was a little different this year. It was announced the course would be a 2km consisting of 3 laps in the Botanical Gardens Lagoon, a 3km run into town, 80km ride and a 17km run to finish off.
At 5am, before the sun rose, the race was under way. We were following the LED light on the back of the lead kayak which unfortunately became further and further away as the swim progressed. While I couldn’t keep up with the top swimmers, I did find myself in the second pack with two other guys. Jumping out of the water, running around the timing mat and diving back in for the second and third laps made the swim a lot of fun although somewhat more exhausting.
I got out of the water in seventh spot but with a quick transition and an honest run into town, I managed to jump on the Pinarello in 5th place, 2mins off the lead.
Iron Man are you eating and drinking enough?
Richard Thompson / Pro Bike Fit / 7th Overall - Challenge Wanaka 2011 Race Report
It was 3am on 15 January 2011 and I rose out of my sleep, ready for my first Iron-distance race in over two years. Usually I am woken up by my alarm clock, but today the sound of howling wind stirred me thirty minutes early.
Challenge Wanaka 2011 – the photos and the stories from past years made it seem like the perfect race. While the weather all week was impeccable, race day was upon us and mother nature had presented some very trying conditions.
It was a surprisingly strong professional men’s field this year. There was the 2010 Challenge Barcelona champion Jimmy Johnsen, the 2010 Ironman Western Australia Champion Courtney Ogden, previous Challenge Wanaka podium finisher Keegan Williams, not to mention Josh Rix and the New Zealand pair of Jamie Whyte and Bevan McKinnon. Being my first professional iron-distance race, I was certainly out of my depth but the training had been good and I was ready to do battle against them.
The hooter sounded and we were under way. The pace was high early but I found the feet of the leaders and got into a great stroke. At about 1000m into the swim, Ogden surged around me and passed the leaders. Despite my attempts to go with the top 3, I dropped off their feet and had to work hard for the remainder of the swim. I exited the swim in fourth spot overall in a time of 54mins which was a mere 100 seconds off the lead swimmer. It was by far the best swim of my career and I was eager to get on the bike.
Transition 1 was a whirlwind and before I knew it I was one my Pinarello going 45km/hr. My left glute was cramping immediately on the bike. I threw down a Powerbar Gel earlier than planned which quickly solved any cramping issues. At the 40km mark I was in a group with Johnsen, Mckinnon and Williams and we were 3mins back from the leader. After a hard 30km of riding we had dropped Johnsen and we were flying down to Lake Dunstan. Holding speeds upwards of 60km/hr,
... MoreFloods Pro Bike Fit
Firstly to all those effected by the floods Gary, Chris and Amy would like to offers our heart felt sorrow for your loss. Gary and his family have been stranded North of Gympie due to the flooding along the Bruce Highway and only returned home yesterday afternoon after an epic detour around the back roads of Kin Kin bypassing the Bruce Highway. Gary has had no way of updating the website or contacting clients and apologises for not being able to return calls or emails.
Pro Bike Fit will return to normal business hours as of Tuesday the 18th of Jan 2011
... MoreRichard Thompson What next
It is with much anticipation I announce my first triathlon for 2011 will be Challenge Wanaka. With thanks to Victoria and the great team at Challenge, I will be heading to Wanaka to hopefully have a great race over the very testing course. It is one of the most scenic iron distance triathlons in the world and I suggest if you are looking to race in January consider flying over the ditch to take part in either the half or full versions of this exciting event.
My first Ironman 2010 Busselton Ironman
Kieran Carrigan 2010 Busselton Ironman "Enjoy it, you never get to do an Ironman for the first time again" I tried to keep these words in my head to remain calm. The morning of the race I was up at 3:50 had a restless sleep. Triggered a little, magnesium, L Glutamine, gatorade and a power bar. Breakfast done. http://ironmanoneyear.blogspot.com/2010/12/busselton-race-first-ironman.html... More
Time Trial Bicycle sizing
People often ask what size should my Time Trial bike be? My reply is always the same, small.
52 to 54cm top tube to be exact, you only have to look at the World Time Trial Champion for the last 4 years if you are unsure. The fact is that the Human Torso often varies only a couple of cm bewteen 5'6 and 6'3.
Fabian Cancellara Height 6'3 Top Tube measurement 54cm you can check out the rest of Fabians set up @
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-fabian-cancellaras-specialized-s-works-transition-20763/
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The art of Time Trial
Race Report: QLD State Teams Time Trial Championships
Last Sunday I was lucky enough to step into the GGO kit for a day, to complete the 4 man line up for the State Team Time Trial Championships. The other 3 riders were Ben Manson, Dave Hanson and Dan Felton, with the rest of GGO committed at the Tour of Tassie or elsewhere.
... MoreTour Murray River
Tour of the Murray River
- Date:
- August 29 - September 3,
- Location:
- VIC, Australia
- Discipline:
- , Road - NE (National Event)
- Please support cyclingnews.com.au
- www.cyclingnews.com.au
Probikefit riders
A number of riders set up by Probikefit have done well in the recent Geelong road series
Tour of Geelong
- Date:
- August 11-15,
- Location:
- Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Discipline:
- , Road - NE (National Event)
- Stage 6 - Report,
- Stage 5 - Report,
- Stage 4 (ITT) - Report,
- Tour of Geelong start list,
- All Stages,
- Photos
Fly "V" Australia
"The world of cycling has been talking about establishing an Australian ProTour team for a number of years and now it's just about to happen. Fly V will be well funded and resourced and we will want to compete at the highest level and that includes the Tour de France next July. What I also want to do with Fly V is provide the structure for some of the younger Australian riders to work together and become successful together."... More
Tour Tablelands 2010 Pro Bike Fit riders
Lance Armstrong Radio Shack
Retuling Rides with Team RadioShack
April 20, 2010
BOULDER, COLO. - Crucial Innovation, Inc., makers of Retul 3D bike fit technology, has announced a strategic partnership with the Radioshack professional cycling team to supply bike fit technology and bike fitting services.
Read more...
Iron Man
News from the Diary of Richard Thompson
News
Over the past two months I have had my head down continuing my swimming block. I feel that my swimming has come a long way since the move to Geelong and I look forward to performing well in the water throughout the 2010/11 triathlon season.
Next weekend I head to Caloundra to race in the 10km fun run. While I won’t be expecting a top result, it will be a good test to see how my running form has gone after so long in the pool. A week after the fun run I finish my specific swim block and tackle my 12 week Ironman program in preparation for Ironman Wisconsin 2010. This is the first qualifying event for the 2011 Hawaiian Ironman World Championships which has given me even more motivation to have the best race over there.
... MoreMichael Freiberg
Team Virgin Blue RBS Morgans finished the Mersey Valley Individual Time Trial (ITT) with 5 riders in the first 10.
The Virgin-Morgan National team are fresh from their first tranning camp in Brisbane, Michael Freiberg was one of the Virgin-Morgan team riders to Benefit from bicycle fitting by Gary Land @ Pro Bike Fit.
Michael won the First Duton Cycles Criterium held in Brisbane and placed 3rd in the Mersey Valley Tasmania ITT before helping set up his team mate Cameron Peterson for a win on stage 2.
... MoreVirgin Blue - RBS Morgan Cycling Team
Former Rabobank professional Patrick Jonker has joined the new Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans Australian domestic squad as sport director. The team, which will be officially launched in Brisbane tonight, has been launched to replace Fly V Australia in domestic races www.cyclingnews.com.au
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Jack Anderson Europe season 2010
The first race of the season was the GP Lillers in northen France. It was a freezing cold day with max temperatures at 4 degrees, not to mention the wind chill on top of that, it was freezing cold ! But nether the less spirits were high, even if I i had big crash while out training the day before ! I went down really , really hard and took some skin off my face and I had skin off everywhere and I was so sore and so stiff I could barely move
www.jackanderson.info
... MoreRetul Riders success at Queensland Masters track carnival
The University of Queensland Cycling club had some great results during the Queensland Masters Track Carnival 21st Febuary 2010. Location Chandler Velodrome in Brisbane.
Please go to www.uqcycle.com for a list of Results.
Probike fit is please to have provided bike fitting for many of the riders.
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The GuitarGym-Orbea team
The GuitarGym-Orbea team welcomes Pro Bike Fit as a sponsor.
Pro Bike Fit will be the official bike positioning consultants to the team. The hope is that with the skills of Pro Bike fit, and the impressive Retül equipment they use, we can see some tangible power gains through position optimisation.
http://eliteteam.uqcycle.com/
... MoreMichael England
Yet another Brisbane rider Michael England signs a UCI Contenental team ride for 2010.... More
The Shack choose Retul
Retul was invited to Team Radio Shack's first ever training camp in Tucson, AZ this past December. Working alongside the team staff and a few CTS coaches, Retul'ing these veterans of the sport was very interesting indeed.
See Video here
... MoreLocal rider Jack Anderson
Local rider Jack Anderson has sign a new contract for 2010 with the Magnus Backstedt team.
We all wish Jack well for another year in Europe http://team.cyclesport.se/
... MoreCadel Tour Down Under
If you have not heard or read www.cyclingnews.com.au Cadel BMC racing and Lance Radio Shack are on their way to the Tour Down under. This news and much more @ www.cyclingnews.com.au... More
Unavailable until the 28
Gary will be unavailable until Wednesday the 28th October due to commitments in New Zealand.... More
Cadel Evan
New world Champion for all those who doubted... More
Marion Summerer
Marion 6th @ 2009 Goal Coast Triathlon Championships Check out www.tricoachmarion.com... More
Marion Summerer
Marion Summerer will be racing www.worldtriathlongoldcoast.com
Marion is one of the growing number of athletes looking for the perfect ride position using Retul
... MoreCadel Evans Le Tour de France
Evans: I have my work cut out
Aussie hopeful laments TTT outcome
- Thanks to Cycling News .com .au
Robbie Down but not out!
McEwen aims for second-half revival
No plans to slow down for experiencd Australian
... MoreSBS Central
Bike Shorts: The Giro
Australian cyclist turned commentator Trent Wilson joins cycling expert Mike Tomalaris to discuss the key moments of the Giro ...
... More
An extreamly disappointing day at the office. Out of the water in 5th, off the bike in 3rd and suffered a 1000 deaths in the oven that was the run to trundle home in 8th spot. Words can't come close to how grateful I am to have my number one supporter here with me. Thanks for everyone’s support back home.
We all have bad days, if only I was as fast as Richard on my bad days, I would still be happy. Another great result for Richard @ the Japan Iron Man 2011