Weekend Kudos :: 1st April, 2012

Weekend Kudos is my way of recognising those who have put in significant efforts over the weekend in their respective race disciplines. It's not so much about the placings or results, it is more for the effort that has been put in. As a rider, I appreciate the encouragement I receive when I put in the effort to do my best so it is only fitting that I repay the favours.

A number of big achievers this week in various corners of the state, while I took a day off racing and spent the later afternoon riding with the family and cleaning bikes (nothing like a clean bike).

Emma Gillard travelled down to Karri Vally this weekend to compete in Saturday's Karri Valley Triathlon. Details are limited as Emz was out of mobile range down there but she did SMS me to let me know that she had claimed 1st place in her age category and felt very strong throughout the event giving her confidence leading up to the Busselton Half Ironman. Congrats on a great result, Emz. That's two from two! Emz is in some incredible form at the moment and as she begins training under Brad's programs this week, I look forward to seeing how far she can go.

West Coast Masters had their final criterium of the summer season at Kewdale this morning (Sunday) and awarded the overall points place getters. Congratulations to Roy Swift for picking up top points in the E grade division and to Doug Stewart for claiming the same in the combined A-D grade points competition.

Also worth a mention in the final points was Rob Brand coming in at 17th out of 275 riders overall. This is a fantastic result for Rob who has really been putting in some hard training in the past couple of months and the results speak for them self. Rob has really developed his cycling through the hard work he has put in and he should be very proud of his summer season. He has certainly demonstrated that you can achieve a significant outcome if you are prepared to put in the hard work. Congratulations Rob, a well deserved reward for you.

Kudos to Malcolm Miller and David Ellis for getting down to the last Criterium in Kewdale. Malcolm also posted his ride data to Strava and looks like he really put in a strong race with a great HR plot and a consistently high pace. Malcolm placed 16th in A grade while Dave placed 14th in C grade.

Massive Kudos to AP for competing in this morning's 'Midland 100' road race out at Gidgegannup. AP reported that he is pretty sure he finished in the top 10 of the A grade event beating the likes of Sam Smith, Andy Martin, Matt Upton and Mark Horn. Just arriving at the finish ahead of riders such as these is a massive achievement when racing through Death Valley. Congrats, AP. Testament to the hard work you have been putting in.

Equally massive Kudos to Alan Flanders and John Sonego who both recorded PBs down at Champion Lakes for the ATTA 20km ITT and demonstrated that they are bothing coming into some fantastic form in their TT efforts. In what was reported to be a rather windy morning, Alan recored a 27 second PB with a completion time of 00:28:50 (41.6 km/h) and a huge +00:06:12 Std Time while John posted a 46 second PB with a completion time of 00:27:22 (43.8 km/h) and an equally impressive +00:04:20 Std Time. Strong efforts from both men coming in at 14th overall (John) and 26th overall (Alan) in a strong field that included an in form AJ Giacoppo (the only rider to post a sub-26 minute ride (a 46 second PB) - well done AJ).

Kudos to Brad and the Plan B Team who are competing in the Tour of Thailand this week. The team competed in the prologue Time Trial today where the entire team managed to stay upright (Brad had a bit of a scare) on a difficult course that had up-ended a great number of riders. Team members managed to attain 6th, 10th (Brad) and 15th keeping them within 1-3 seconds from the podium. Brad reported that the Plan B had sent the strongest contingent they have seen for some time so fingers crossed things go their way. More details can be read on Brad's blog here.