My Writings. My Thoughts.
Shaky Start to 2012.
// January 30th, 2012 // No Comments » // Diary
Hips, Fractures and Tour Down Under
Form was good as I hit 2012 at full speed; preparations had been good in the lead up to and until the second day of the year. Heading out for my last volume spike before the road National Champs I was in a good groove, pressure on the pedals and ticking over the kilometers. A pothole hidden in the shadows near Trentham was my undoing, my hand slipping off the bars and the moment that lasts forever, as I knew I was going down. Followed by the moment of sliding along the asphalt at 50kmph and then the pain and blood. Damn. I was shaken up, but aside from a distinct lack of skin on my right hand side and a corked hip area I thought I was in the clear. It was a bad place to crash, no phone reception and quite the debacle until finally I made it home thanks to the parents.
The days that followed saw lots of ice and not much else; I certainly wasn’t going anyway fast and had seized up in the right hip area. Starting treatment a few days later I swung past the Doctors and grabbed a quick X-Ray. Disappointing results showed a fracture in my hip. This was a low point. Thanks to Dr Geoff Courtis I was quickly in to a specialist orthopedic surgeon in Melbourne and he was confident I could ride without further damage, so long as my muscles returned to function. So it was straight to Ballarat for the National Road Championships. I was seeing fast improvements but made the tough decision not to race and ensure the best recovery. It was a very supportive Drapac Professional Cycling Team that I had to let down and thanks to all the guys and staff for their understanding.
Day by day things were getting better and I was able to put in a solid week of training which gave me confidence as I headed over for the Tour Down Under in Adelaide. I was very happy to be able to support a great UniSA-National team which saw Will Clarke take an epic stage win and Rohan Dennis ride to 5th overall and the young rider and KOM jerseys. But all the guys rode fantastically and a big thanks to the staff also for a great week. A special mention to Dave Hayes for the treatment of my injuries, which saw dramatic improvements as the week progressed. It was a tough week, racing at the highest level I have ever raced on the road and in some tough conditions. The crowds, excitement and team made it one of the most memorable experiences and turned my 2012 in the right direction.
It has been a testing start to the year but things are back on track and I am getting stuck into some good MTB training, as the season looms closer. I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past few weeks, especially my parents and my coach Neil Ross.
Thanks also to Kusal from Vigor Sports Medical Clinics and Brian from central Victorian Myotherapy and of course all of my sponsors including Giant Bikes.
Taking a feed. (picture flogged from FB)
Hectic Times Ahead for Norris
// January 4th, 2012 // No Comments » // Press
UniSA-Australia continue to foster young talent at Tour Down Under
// January 2nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Media
UniSA-Australia Team Announced for TDU
// January 2nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Media
All Things Non-Bike – the other side of life…
// November 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // Diary
It’s safe to use my computer again, thanks, so I’ll punch out some words. That is the 48th time this year I have learned how to use a life jacket, which happens to come with a whistle, toggle to blow into for more air and a light to attract attention. I tell people it’s Botany but in reality it is more like I am studying a Science degree with a major in Airline Safety.
But this time I don’t mind. I’m not tired and I don’t have sore legs, so the cramped seats don’t give me any issues and my brain is not so zombied out as to be reduced to romantic comedies on in-flight entertainment, instead I can do something productive. Well I could… but I chose to write this.
After a big season of racing and travel I felt more than ever that I needed to rest. Both physically and mentally, but more so the latter. The last month I have done just that. Catching up on lost time with Uni, Family, Friends and other stuff that a bike rider cannot do in-season, like hiking, surfing, golfing, skiing, hunting or trail running. It also has given me time to reflect on a fantastic year that has been and now I am ready and motivated to hit the ground running for my preparation for 2012.
And running I was. After 4 weeks of no racing I guess I had the itch again, which led me to the start line of the Whakatane TOI Challenge. I got a good grid position and went with the leaders from the gun into the first brutal climb. I was feeling good, but decided to hang back and pace myself with the guy in fourth place. By midway up the climb, on a particularly steep stair section I attacked and moved comfortably into 4th. Unsure of how my legs would fair in this kind of event I quickly realised after only 25 minutes that I had misjudged my speed. I was easily overtaken on the staired, steep descent, clearly to hard on the brakes, the others bounded past me with big strides and I moved back into 8th. But I had a second wind at about the halfway point 9km into the run. On the beach I latched onto the wheel (shoe) of 2 other guys and we began to reel in runners as the course again turned hilly. I was climbing well and had learned to let go of the brakes on the descents, much to the objection of my hip flexors and ligaments.
With a bout 5km to go I had moved up into 4th and despite a blowout with the left shoelace (which I ran through, no time to stop…) kept the pace on hard, finishing the gruelling 18km run in 1hr 28 and 4th place overall which was 3rd in Elite, unfortunately not catching the early break of the day.
Preceded by an amazing walk on the Routeburn Track in Fiordland and followed up by a great week of sweet-ez trail in Rotorua, New Zealand turned out to be the perfect off-season destination. I was lucky enough to throw the leg over a Giant Trance X for the week, which performed very well when I found myself launching off an unsuspected gap or jump…
So for now it’s back to bike riding with more vigour than ever! Looking forward to another great season in Partnership with Giant and Drapac Professional Cycling! Thanks to everyone for their support this year and I endeavour to keep you all up to date on progress in the coming year!
A special thanks to Drapac-Professional Cycling, Giant Australia and the Giant Factory Off-Road Team who have been a delight to ride with over the past 2 years. Thanks to HTC-Highroad for including me into the team this year also. Thanks to the Victorian Institute of Sport and Melbourne University and MU Sport who have been huge support to both my studies and sport. Thanks also to everyone back home, Castlemaine Rocky Riders MTB Club, Cycle Concepts Castlemaine and Oakley.
Here is a selection of pics from my off-season:
Dean and I, mildly concerned and well and truly off-piste at the summit of Crdale Mountain Tas.
The 16th Tee at Tocomwal. Fair to say I sprayed it far, far left.
The Trance locked and loaded for a shred mission to Buller.
My Feet weren't quite ready for 18km's or hardcore running.
I was though! Or at least I thought so...
Dropping in at Rotorua NZ.
No Rest for the Wicked!
// October 20th, 2011 // No Comments » // Diary
Langkawi International MTB Challenge
Following the great finish to the Jayco Herald Sun Tour I had just enough time to enjoy a meal with my friends at Drapac Professional Cycling before I was whisked away in the big, dark green Land rover. Pilot: Dave Paez, Co-Pilot: Jason Tolland, Destination: Malaysia.
A special thanks To Bruce Laurence-Peoples for setting up my brand new Giant XTC Composite 29” and having it ready to blast when we hit the hot and steamy tarmac at Langkawi International Airport.
Steamy it was, stage one was an epic Marathon affair. Some tired legs to start and mixed in with some flat tire action and then sprinkled with some more flat tire action, which actually brewed up some decent legs to finish. I rode back (again) to a respectable 6th, in the field, which included the likes of Burry Stander, Karl Platt and Thomas Dietsch. I had lost some bulk time though, which may hurt me in the end.
Stage 2, I managed to start off well and only lost contact with the lead 3 riders after a lap or two. A sauna like climb followed by some rooty, slick and technical descending, I rolled in 4th for the day.
Today, kicked off with some help by Australian large man of the year Paul Van Der Ploeg, he helped me get the XTC up to speed on the first few laps and I then just kept the rocket ship rocketing, holding off a chase by a dwindling lead group to take the stage and some valuable time! A great day and good to get a win on the board.
So far Jake T has been working like a Trojan to keep the bike in top shape and keep it rubber side down on the scooter in some rather challenging traffic conditions.
Looking forward to the last few days of hanging with a good bunch of the fine Aussie MTB community and also my last 2 days of racing for the season!
Time in Yellow at Herald Sun Tour
// October 20th, 2011 // No Comments » // Diary
It was great to get the band back together and have a motivated crew for one of the biggest races on the Drapac Professional Cycling calendar – the Jayco Herald Sun Tour. Travelling over roads we all knew it was a good opportunity to race the some top quality teams in our own back yard!
Day one started as predicted with some windy, open and undulating terrain. A group of 16 was quick to form and we were caught on the back foot with only one man in the move. As the time continued to blow out we started to wave goodbye our hopes of overall contention as we rolled in around 10 minutes behind the leaders. But, as we crossed the line we were pumped to hear that the “boys in red will be delighted” with our man, Rhys Pollock taking the stage and yellow in a gutsy solo attack!
Rhys had got us out of jail and we now went into the tour with not only a stage win, but also the KOM and Yellow jerseys! It was on us to control the race now and we did a fantastic job on day two on a tough, hilly circuit around Meredith, with Stu Shaw taking the lions share of the work, we all pitched in toward the end to bring it back together for a bunch finish. We knew the finish would suit Tom Palmer and he rode himself into 4th place!
Day three went perfectly to plan and again we controlled the 178km circuit around Lorne and the Great Ocean Road perfectly, only this time Tom managed one place better and got on the Podium. With Rhys still holding the yellow jersey by a narrow 18-second margin we entered the “queen” stage of the tour with a tough 3km uphill finish on Arthurs Seat.
It was a nervous start, everyone knowing that the stage was a day to make or break. With Stu, with the help Tommy, riding the entire first 80 or so kilometres it was on us, Darren Lapthorne, Adam Phelan and Myself to help Rhys hold the yellow. The pressure went down the first time onto Arthurs Seat and although we lost close to a minute at the top we quickly drilled it back on to the front of the now decimated peloton. With 5km remaining Rhys instructed Adam and I to have a go at the stage and as the first attack went on the climb I tried to follow. I found myself in no-man’s land before being swallowed up by the now dwindled peloton. Guy’s were dropping like flies and now only around five of us remained, with two still up the road. I seized my opportunity to attack a couple of times as we approached the top, hoping I might slip away from the battle for GC that was going on between Nathan Haas and Jack Bobridge. I was unsuccessful and crossed the line in 5th for that day, a decent result. Unfortunately Rhys had to surrender his yellow jersey but it had been a valiant effort by the whole team.
The packed sidewalks of Lygon St greeted us for the final, fast circuit race that marked the tour end. It was Adam Phelan who showcased his talent in front of a big crowd and live TV coverage, spending most of the latter part of the race away up the road. Tom Palmer brought us home with a fantastic 4th place. Finishing up the tour with one stage win, the majority of the tour in the Yellow and every finish inside the top 5!
A great team effort by the Boys, Staff and Team Sponsors. Also the support of all the friends and fams was greatly appreciated by everyone. Thanks guys.
Jarrod Patridge (jxpphotography.com) caught me doing a token turn on the front on stage 3.
Norris back on the tarmac for Jayco Herald Sun Tour
// October 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // Press
Mountain bike champs Lachlan Norris and Chris Jongewaard to hit the road
// October 8th, 2011 // No Comments » // Press
Racing, Racing and more Racing!
// September 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Diary
The last few weeks have been pretty hectic! The finish of the USA Pro cycling challenge was something to remember, in the break with 3 other guys racing around the streets of Denver with literally thousands of people crowding the sidelines, certainly nothing I have experience before!
From there it was a quick taco and margarita and back on the plane to Europe! A big thanks to the HTC Highroad crew for a fantastic 3 weeks of racing in the states and all the guys for making me feel welcome within the team.
Before I knew it I was back on the MTB and cutting laps of a greasy, technical and rooty circuit at Champery, trying to get it nailed for the World MTB Championships. A few days out saw me dig it, over the bars and marked the end of my time with my current Giant Anthem X Advanced SL, which was an emotional time for me. Enter Joe Staub aka the saviour. Joe and the Giant Factory Off-Road Team were quick to get me sorted on a fresh frame and it was go time before I realised what was going on through my semi jet-lagged haze.
Unfortunately the legs were not good. The start grid didn’t treat me very well either and I heading off dead last. I put in a few solid laps and worked up into the 70s and then struggled to get the power out. Skills were pretty good but the engine was coughing and spluttering after a solid three weeks or high altitude racing on the tar. It was not to be my world champs, but it was to be Danny Hart’s, the Giant Factory man ripping out a killer run in horrid conditions to become 2011 World DH Champion. Aussie boy Troy Brosnan also defended his title in the junior DH. A big thanks and congrats to the Giant Factory Off-Road Team and also the Australian MTB Team for their support. A special mention for Mum, Dad, Larn and Brett and Ads who made the trip over to cheer us up the hills.
From here I had a night to reshuffle my bags and before I realised I was sweating away under the Italian sun with the Australian National Team at the Giro di Padania. Starting off with a hard 175km stage where I managed 32nd it was a pretty tough week livened by some protests due to the political nature of the tour (The lega-nord tying to split away from the south of Italy). Stage 3 we tried to dodge the action and ended up with a round 240km for the day and stage 4 turned into 190km. With a nice couple of 20km climbs at the finish it was to be my day. I hung on for dear life until there was around a dozen guys left and then couldn’t hang on any longer and rode the last 10km on my own, coming home in 13th for the day which put me in 12th on GC and 2nd Young Rider which was where we finished. A big thanks to all the staff and off course the boys Cam, Wes, Gossy, Akon and Docs for propping me up all week.
For now it’s time to make my way back to Switzerland and then head up north to Belgium for some more fun in the sun (clouds and/or rain also expected)!
As always thanks to everyone including the crew at Oakley, The VIS, Melbourne Uni Sport and Drapac Cycling.
Thanx - Adam Culvenor on the button.
