Savings & Loans Cycling Team - Herald Sun Tour

New website and blog

The Savings & Loans Cycling Team now has a new website at cyclingteam.savingsloans.com.au where you'll find all the latest news and information on the team.

There are also rider profiles, photo galleries and a brand new blog.

Tour in review

I know this is the cycling team’s blog, but I’ve decided to jump on and give you a bit of a rundown on what happened today from a different perspective. It’s also because I’m incredibly proud of what the guys achieved today, and I wanted to share it with you all. And I think the team is probably a bit too modest to tell you how gutsy their performance was today.

Our team took to the roads in 33 degree heat, with gusty winds over 90 kilometres per hour the entire way. They rode 180 kilometres in those conditions and then, when they hit the 160 kilometre mark, they had to contend with at category one climb that went from 400 metres to 1400 metres over a 20 kilometre period. It was a climb that took close to an hour to overcome.

When we arrived at the start this morning I was struck by the different mood among the camp. In previous days, the team had been a lot more upbeat, but this morning there was a nervous energy around the place. I was speaking with Pat Jonker about Chris’ (Jongewaard) chances and he basically told me that he had spoken with Chris and told him that if he wanted to have any chance to reach his dream of getting a ride with a professional overseas outfit, then today was the day. He said jokingly, “ but I told him there was no pressure”. Pat has been telling us all week that the mountain climb at the end of this stage was probably going to decide the Tour, so we were all a bit apprehensive about what may unfold over the next few hours.

I think some of the guys were probably just a bit nervous about the stage itself. As I said above, 180 kilometres in hot, windy conditions and a massive mountain climb at the end of it. This is a mountain where it snowed last week so that gives you some idea of how monstrous it is.

Fast forward a few hours and we are at the top of Lake Mountain waiting for the team to bring it home. The Tour had lost radio contact so we had no idea what was going on. Suddenly we hear that the riders are within sight so we rush to the finish to see last year’s winner and race favourite Simon Gerrans cross the line with Chris basically on his back wheel.

It meant that Chris had achieved what he wanted out to they day and goes into tomorrow with a chance of taking a Tour victory, and most probably achieving his goal of getting a ride with an overseas professional team. When Chris got back to the tent he was spent. His hands were shaking and his body was covered in sweat. But you could see the pride on his face, as you could with Pat Jonker. As the other team members came in, each of them performing fantastically to get through the stage, you could see the happiness spread through the camp. And when they read out the general classification standings over the loudspeaker, the team let out a big cheer. This is what they had been working towards.

Obviously there is still a lot that can happen tomorrow. But the team have put Chris up there with a chance of winning the Tour, and at this stage of the event that’s the best they could have hoped for.

As Patrick told Chris after the race, these are guys who are racing in professional European outfits. Gerrans rode in this year’s Tour de France. They are climbers of the highest calibre and Chris managed to stick with them today.

Today’s effort was all the more impressive considering the team suffered four punctures (two for Chris) and Peter came off in a crash. So it was an eventful day.

On that point, a special mention needs to go to the support team for the effort they have put in feeding these guys, cleaning and servicing their bikes, washing their equipment, massaging and just putting in the long hours making sure everything runs as smoothly as it possibly can. They are working long after the team has started to rest for the night.

My final point is that it was just a really huge day for this cycling team. As sponsors, it makes you incredibly proud to be a part of helping these guys achieve what they want out of cycling and moving them closer to their dreams. To share in this success after such a long, hard week where everyone has been putting in their maximum, it was just a fantastic moment.

So now to tomorrow, and finger’s crossed that the guys can come out of it with the result that they set out to achieve and deserve.

Marcus La Forgia
Savings & Loans Credit Union

Day four

The pace was hot again today as it has been all week, with the riders pushing the pace up to 50-60 kilometres an hour again. The first attempt at a breakaway came early into the ride and Russell (van Hout) managed to get himself into that group. They were pulled back soon after and at about the 30-40 kilometre mark the decisive break came, which we were very happy that Peter (Mueller) managed to get himself into.

Peter did a great job because he was suffering like a dog for most of that ride, but he stayed up there. He was in a good position with about 20 kilometres to go when he managed to get into a mini breakaway of about six riders. Unfortunately, they got pulled back and he just didn’t have the legs to kick again, because he put so much effort into the early break.

But again, we had someone up there in the breakaway and that’s all we can ask for. The guys are putting in an enormous effort in very hot conditions, and on some roads which are pretty awful to ride on. When the guys came off their bikes today their faces were caked with mud and grit from all the dust that was kicked up on the road.

From here on in it is all about Chris. I think Brett is still a chance in the final stage in Lygon Street, but we will be working to protect Chris from the wind and any challenges. Our riders are sacrificing themselves for him.

Tomorrow, the plan will be to protect him to the bottom of Lake Mountain, which is a category one climb, and then the rest is up to him. Obviously we still want a stage win but our first priority is to protect Chris, and then we will see what happens.

Cheers

Pat Jonker

Day three

Stage three and just as we thought the foot was on the pedal right from the start. Everyone in the bunch knew this was a chance to get a break and hopefully take a stage win.

We were fortunate that Russell (van Hout) managed to get up there in the first break away and rode a good race in some really hot, difficult conditions. When that breakaway split in two it was a shame he couldn’t get into the first group but most of the riders in that group have been racing in Europe, so they just had more fitness and have been racing the hard races.

But it was another good result for the team. That’s three days in a row we’ve had a team member in the break and that’s what we’ve been discussing at each team meeting. We want to have someone up there in the break and having a go at a stage win. We are really chasing a stage win, as are all the teams. That is where you get the big publicity and that’s great for us as a team and for our sponsors.

The field travelled at well above 40 kilometres per hour again today for the entire 160 kilometres and that’s above world class standards.

As far as the overall standings go, today didn’t impact on much. Once the bunch broke away it became a race for a stage win and all those in contention for overall victory were happy just to conserve energy. Thursday’s stage with the big climb up Lake Mountain is going to be the decisive stage I think, and that’s what Chris (Jongewaard) is setting himself for.

Stage four should be similar to today. The pace will be on and I think there will be a few going for a stage victory, but I reckon the leaders will try and conserve energy. They might go a bit easier at the start tomorrow because the stage is a bit longer so they have more time in which to make an attack.

Now is the time in a Tour when it starts to sort itself out. In the first few days you can survive on adrenalin but this is when the muscles start to ache and you really find out who is in good condition. The Tour starts now.

Cheers

Pat Jonker

PS: If you’re wondering why I’m making the entries it’s because the team thought I would be the best person because I’m in radio contact all day with the race and see it from an overall perspective, whereas each rider only gets their single view of the race. That and also the fact that they are just so busy at the end of the day with massage, refuelling and planning for tomorrow.

Day two

The second day of the Tour and at the end of it, there are only 16 riders who have a chance of taking victory in the race.

For the first hour or so today the riders averaged about 60 kilometres per hour, which is an unbelievable pace. It was the first day on the road and I think everyone was keen to show they were travelling well. When you’re averaging that sort of speed something is going to give and there was a break about 10 kilometres into the race and Chris (Jongewaard) managed to get into a good position.

There were strong crosswinds out there and they caused a bit of havoc as the riders fought for position. The breakaway just kept putting time on the rest of the field and were gaining 30 odd seconds every kilometre for 30-40 kilometres.

As we approached the 60-70 kilometre mark the Portugese team made an attempt to bring the gap back but just couldn’t do it. They were well aware that they could be out of the Tour after just two days of racing and that’s the way it turned out. The gap was too hard to bring back, which means that one of those riders in the top 16 will win the Tour.

I’m really happy that we have got Chris in that group of 16. It would have been good to have one more rider from the team up there. Now we have all our eggs in one basket. But Chris has really improved his climbing and he has a good chance of finishing near the top. We are also fortunate to have a team that has had a number relatively easy days and should be able to help Chris as we get further into the Tour.

The pace will be on again right from the start tomorrow, and the team knows it. They’ll be ready to react to any early attacks.

Cheers

Pat Jonker

Day One

I’ve ridden in a lot of bike races and today was again proof that you can just never predict the way things are going to go on the first day of a big tour like this. We went into today’s stage with a couple of team goals. First and foremost we thought that Brett (Aitken) had a really genuine chance of taking the stage victory. He’s a great sprinter and has been in fantastic touch recently. We also had the longer term strategy of trying to keep Chris (Jongewaard) at the front of the race and in contention for general classification, which we feel he has a real shot at. The race may not have gone entirely according to plan, but at the end of the day, we’re not sitting too badly.

On the first day of a Tour you always have that little bit of extra nervousness. Not knowing who is riding well and what strategies the other teams are planning. We knew it was going to be tough conditions. The wind was incredibly strong and coming up the home straight we were riding directly into it all day.

From the very start, we knew it was going to be a hot pace. The pedal was down all day and it just didn’t let up the whole way through. As we expected, a breakaway got away early and they were just so aggressive. When you’ve got teams of the calibre of the Australian National Team and Drapac Porsche trying to catch the breakaway and not being able to do it, it shows how well those few guys rode today.

There were a lot of riders who couldn’t stay with the pace – and we’re not talking about young, inexperienced riders. When you see three-time Tour de France sprint winner Robbie McEwen pull out from the main group, you know the pace is hot.

From a team perspective, we’re not too unhappy with the result today. We’ve got Chris 20 or so seconds from the lead and in contention for a general classification win. And Brett finished 8^th overall which is a fantastic effort. One more lap and I think he could have been wearing the yellow jersey tonight.

And I know some of the teams would be feeling that stage today. There were a number of teams really pushing the pace and using a lot of energy. As for our team, we’re feeling good and looking forward to tomorrow’s stage – a 176 kilometre ride from Shepparton to Bendigo.

Cheers

Stephen Cunningham

Savings & Loans Cycling Team heads off on Herald Sun Tour

The Savings & Loans Cycling Team is all set to fly out tomorrow for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour. Coming on the back of some great performances by our riders, we’re expecting some really good results.

The Herald Sun Tour is one of the biggest cycling events in the country and brings local teams like Savings & Loans and international teams together to put on a great show for the crowd.

Brett Aitken is in fine form and Chris Jongewaard had a stellar performance a couple of weeks ago in the Goulburn to Sydney Classic. This, together with some fantastic history in the Herald Sun Tour, means we’re looking forward to some fantastic racing.

Joining Chris and Brett on the Herald Sun Tour will be some fantastic riders, such as Russel van Hout, who has heaps of international racing experience and is the current Australian Road Race Champion.

Also coming along for the tour is Peter Mueller, a specialist time trial rider who took out the first stage in last year’s Herald Sun Tour. He’s obviously looking for more of the same kind of success this year.

James Hannam hasn’t competed in the Herald Sun Tour since 2003 and will be providing support for Brett, Chris and Russell. He’s got some great international experience, riding for both a Belgian team and the AIS.

Will Dickeson is tackling his first Herald Sun Tour this year and is hoping to make a big impact on debut. He’s had some great results in the national series and is a young gun with a great future in front of him.

If you want to know any more about the riders, have a look at our page on the Savings & Loans Credit Union website

The seven stage tour has a real mix of challenges, ranging from a Criterium, to time trials and, of course, traditional stages. The final stage in Melbourne is a fantastic experience and really tops off a great tour.

We’ll all be logging in during the tour to keep you updated, so please ask us some questions or send through some encouragement. We’ll get back to you as soon as we get a chance.

Cheers

Stephen Cunningham