Revolution

(Revolution Cycling Series, Australia 2007 - 2008)

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                              24 Nov 2007 - Revolution 1 Coverage      Revolution in Australia

Revolution 2

19 December 2007 - Vodafone Arena, Melbourne

Revolution took off in Melbourne at the Vodafone Arena on Wednesday evening. In front of a near-capacity crowd and with over a hundred infield dining guests, the race programme was a treat to watch. The races were competitive, the field was elite and contained racing stars from several continents. 

Write-up

NAB Revolution Points

Louise Moriarty (IRE) was a surprise winner of the NAB Points race ahead of a very disappointed Tess Downing (Drapac) and Gina Grain (Canada). There was confusion amongst the riders regarding the double points for the final sprint which affected the final placing riders thought they had achieved.

Initially it looked like Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini) was going to continue the form she has been showing on the road (in criteriums in Queensland and New South Wales) but Downing had other ideas and was in the thick of most of the sprints along side Jessica Berry (Jayco VIS) and Gina Grain. Moriarty managed to secure a 4^th and 3^rd place in the early sprints.

It was the attack of Nicole Whitburn (Hitachi Racing) with seven to go that turned the pace of race. Moriarty followed her and forced Downing to react. At the bell Downing was boxed in and could not manage to squeeze through. Moriarty held on for first place and maximum double points, Julia Bradley (CAN) sprinted in for second. Sky-Lee Armstrong (NSW) had been active all race and just beat Gina Grain to third place in the final sprint.

Sprints

Sprint Heat 1

Anna Meares (TOS) looked troubled for a few seconds as Apryl Eppinger pushed her towards the barrier with 2 to go. Meares however showed her experience and powered out of the 2^nd corner to sprint for victory

Sprint Heat 2

Kerrie Meares never looked troubled in her heat against Josephine Butler. Meares powered round on the back straight to win comfortably.

Sprint Heat 3

The young and very talented Jess Varnish (GBR), a second year junior, could not be beaten as she held her line in the final lap against the equally talented Kaarle McCulloch and Liz Georgouras.

NAB Revolution Sprint Final

Despite a huge effort from Kerrie Meares on the final lap, both she and Jess Varnish were no match for the power of Anna Meares. Anna Meares used her trademark kick in the final 100m to sweep past Kerrie Meares and Jess Varnish.

NAB Revolution Scratch 20 Laps

The pace was on right from the gun and did not let up right to the bell. Sky-lee Armstrong (NSW) attempted to break away but she was quickly marked by Jessica Berry 9Jayco VIS) and Kate Cullen (SCO). Armstrong tried again but this time it was Louise Moriarty (IRE) and Tess Downing (Drapac) who worked to close the gap. With four to go Julia Bradley (CAN) tried to get away but this time it was Nicole Whitburn and Gina Grain who closed the gap. At the bell Cullen attacked and managed to hold on for the win. Liz Georgouras just got to the line ahead of Rochelle Gilmore.

NAB Revolution Keirin Final

.Kerrie Meares showed that her form that has been missing over the last couple of years is really coming back. She managed to get round Kaarle McCulloch on the line in a clear victory. Liz Georgouras just held on for third ahead of the young British rider Jess Varnish.

NAB Revolution Sprint Final

NAB Revolution Scratch 20 Laps

2XU future Stars Motor Paced W18

Jess Varnish (GBR) is one of the many young riders coming through the GB track system and took the opportunity to compete on the Melbourne track while on holiday in Australia with family. A second year junior Jess raced against a few of the top sprinters in the world including the World and Olympic Time Trial record holder Anna Meares. “I was happy with my ride, I am in the gym, on the road and doing strength work at the moment so I don’t feel I have that much speed but I was pleased with that” said Varnish.

Varnish started racing her bike at 5 and start as a mountain biker. She discovered the track at 7 and has never looked back. “I really enjoyed the track and just loved racing on it” added Varnish. Varnish like so many of the young riders coming out of the UK is focused on the track for now. “I ride the road for training but I love the track” said Varnish.

Varnish is part of the GB 2012 development team and will certainly be some one to watch in the future. “I am aiming for a Gold medal in 2012” said a very confident Varnish. 

Anna Meares (TOS) was struggling with a post Bejing chest infection but decided to ride the sprint event. Racing in a three up against her sister Kerrie and Jess Varnish and showed the crowd why she is the number one in the world and in Australia. “I am glad night is over” said Meares. “It is nice when you come out when you are not feeling your best and still ride well and come away with a win. That was a great race, it isn’t often that you have a three up. Kerrie [Meares] was really putting the pressure on, I thought I would just sit and wait because I knew that is what Kerrie would be doing. I almost got stuck on her hip but managed to bank off the home straight so I am happy.” Discussing Meares ability to sprint so well in the last 100m, Meares added “It is something I have been working on for the last couple of years. Power is something that we have worked on, when I went to the AIS this is something that we have really worked on. I have a jump sprint which has what has made the difference in my time trialing.”

Kerrie Meares (AUS) It took a huge effort to get round Kaarle [McCulloch] to win her heat. “It is great to race well, that was really hard” said Meares. Talking about racing against friends and training buddies, Meares added “When you train with people all the time, especially Anna you know each other really well so when you race against them you have to try something different.  We get up every day and train together, we even were the same clothes, we go out and I think ‘she won’t wear that’ it is the same on the track. We think alike so you have to be creative on the fly when we race.”

Meares is excited about the Team Sprint in LA “We are getting faster every time we ride, I really hope we can carry it forward to the World Championships in March ” said Meares.

Kaarle McCulloch (AUS) was very happy to be racing again on the Melbourne track after she was crashed out in Revolution 1. “I am happy to be racing this time after last time, I wasn’t as happy with my sprinting tonight but my view is every time you get on the track it should be a learning experience. I made a silly mistake in the sprint so you just have to move on. In the Keirin I was a little happier I just ran out of legs” said McCulloch. McCulloch heads to LA for the next round of the World Cup in the New Year where she hopes to medal again in the team sprint and the individual event.

Kate Cullen (SCO) is spending the UK winter in the sun and plans to ride the Tasmania carnival and the Bay Series after the Christmas break. “I came here tonight with a focus on the scratch race and I am so happy I won. I have been doing major road miles but not one was committing in the race. I believed that if you commit you can win and I did”  said Cullen

Louise Moriarty (IRE) had not realised that she had won the Point’s race until she was interviewed by WCN moments after the race. The double points on the final sprint confused all riders. Apparently no one had remembered this rule from the first revolution series. “I’ve won, wow, that’s fantastic, I thought I had just won the last sprint, I am delighted” said Moriarty. “I made a few mistakes in the race, I hesitated on a few of the sprints when I shouldn’t have but that is really great news.”

Tess Downing (DPC) was very disappointed with her second place in the Point’s race. Confused by the double points she thought she had won. “I had not realised there was double points, no one briefed us before the race to let us know. I had worked hard all race and thought I had done enough to win” said Downing. Downing will take a short break over Christmas and ride again at the Bay Series for the Pitcher Partners team. 

Gina Grain (CAN) had planned her race well, but had missed a couple of first places to Downing. Half way through the race, she remembered that there had been double points “Despite any briefing I remembered from Revolution I that they had awarded double points and figured I just had to make sure I was up there with the sprints and at the end” said Grain. Grain is planning to travel to Tasmania for the carnivals and is riding with Belinda Goss in the Volvo team for the Bay Series.

Liz Georgouras (AUS) was racing both the endurance and the sprint events, talking after the final sprint event Georgouras said “That last race was so hard. Racing back to back events is really tough, I am pleased to have finished.” Asked if she had made a decision on what she will focus on in 2008, Georgouras added “I will do the endurance events but focus on the Scratch as I have a strong sprint and this race often finishes in a sprint.“

 

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